Jefferson Columbus Davis was a regular officer of the United States Army during the American Civil War, known for the similarity of his name to that of Confederate President Jefferson Davis and for his killing of a superior officer in 1862.
Jefferson C. Davis
Marker denoting Davis' birth near Memphis, Indiana
Fanciful depiction of General Nelson being shot by fellow Union General Jefferson C. Davis at the Galt House in Louisville, Kentucky, on September 29, 1862
Gen. Davis, third from right, with hand in coat, standing behind General William T. Sherman (seated at center), with other members of Sherman's staff
The Battle of Pea Ridge, also known as the Battle of Elkhorn Tavern, took place during the American Civil War near Leetown, northeast of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Federal forces, led by Brig. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis, moved south from central Missouri, driving Confederate forces into northwestern Arkansas. Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn had launched a Confederate counteroffensive, hoping to recapture northern Arkansas and Missouri. Confederate forces met at Bentonville and became the most substantial Rebel force, by way of guns and men, to assemble in the Trans-Mississippi. Against the odds, Curtis held off the Confederate attack on the first day and drove Van Dorn's force off the battlefield on the second. By defeating the Confederates, the Union forces established Federal control of most of Missouri and northern Arkansas.
Harper's Weekly sketch of the battle by J.F. Gookins
Brig. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis, Commanding
Brig. Gen. Franz Sigel, 1st and 2d Divisions
Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn, Commanding