Edmund Jackson Davis was an American lawyer, soldier, and politician. Davis was a Southern Unionist and a general in the Union Army in the American Civil War. He also served as the 14th Governor of Texas from 1870 to 1874, during the Reconstruction era. Reviled by many Texans during and after the Civil War as a traitor for his open support for the North and his attempts to break up Texas into several Northern-controlled states, Davis is known for leasing prisoners to private corporations to alleviate state budget shortfalls.
Brig. Gen. Edmund J. Davis in a Federal uniform
Davis as he appears at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas
Upper part of the Davis Monument at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin
Base of the large Davis grave monument at Texas State Cemetery in Austin, Texas
In the United States, Southern Unionists were white Southerners living in the Confederate States of America opposed to secession. Many fought for the Union during the Civil War. These people are also referred to as Southern Loyalists, Union Loyalists, or Lincoln's Loyalists. Pro-Confederates in the South derided them as "Tories". During Reconstruction, these terms were replaced by "scalawag", which covered all Southern whites who supported the Republican Party.
Newton Knight (Mississippi), leader of the Knight Company and one of the founders of the Free State of Jones.
Montgomery C. Meigs (Georgia) was Quartermaster General of the U.S. Army during and after the war, and his ability to keep the Army supplied proved instrumental in ensuring victory.
David Farragut (Tennessee) was made rear admiral in the Union Navy after capturing New Orleans in the spring of 1862.
Sam Houston (Texas), erstwhile President of the Republic of Texas, was governor of Texas during the secession crisis of 1860-1861 and unsuccessfully tried to prevent Texas from seceding.
