Jefferson C. Davis

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Jefferson Columbus Davis (March 2 1828–November 30 1879) was the first commander of the Department of Alaska from 1867 to 1870. He served the office with the rank of Brevet Major General of the United States Army.

Born in Clary County, Indiana, Davis served as a volunteer in the Mexican War. Upon completion of volunteer service, he was accepted for an Army commission where he served in the artillery. At the start of the American Civil War, Davis had attained the rank of First Lieutenant at Fort Sumter. In August 1861, Davis became Colonel of the 22nd Indiana with which he served in the Battle of Wilson's Creek. In December 1861, he became Brigadier General of the Volunteers commanding the Third Division at Pea Ridge, Fourth Division at Corinth, Stone's River and Chickamauga at the Atlanta Campaign. The following year he killed Union General William Nelson in a quarrel.

After the American Civil War, Davis continued service with the Army in various campaigns against Native Americans. He later died in Chicago, Illinois.