Eugene Davis

Eugene Davis

Eugene Davis (March 26, 1822–May 19, 1894) Attended University of Virginia. Lawyer and farmer in Charlottesville. Confederate officer. Mayor of Town of Charlottesville in the immediate years before the War and military rule. In 1856, Mayor Drury Wood re-resigned and was replaced by Eugene Davis. A year later, Davis was succeeded by James A. Leitch.

Born in Middlesex County, Virginia to John Anthony Gardner Davis (1802–1840) and Mary Jane Terrell Davis (1803–1879), he married Patsy Morris (1825–1848) Eugene and Patsy were the parents of three children, Patsy died at aged 23. As a student, Eugene took A. M. and A. B. at the University of Virginia.

During the Civil War he commanded the Albemarle Light-Horse troop. Captain, Co. K, 2nd Virginia Cavalry. Volunteer aide to General Pendelton. Private Company D, 6th Virginia Cavalry in 1863. Captured at Yellow Tavern.

At aged 72, Davis died at Willoughby, his farm located on Moore's Creek about two miles south of downtown Charlottesville; burial at the University of Virginia Cemetery and Columbarium.

SKETCHES OF THE DEAD

CAPTAIN EUGENE DAVIS. BY DR. JOHN STAIGE DAVIS (1920).

Eugene Davis, son of John A. G. Davis and Mary Jane Terrel, his wife, was born at Prospect Hill, Middlesex County, Virginia, March, 1822. He was brought to Albemarle County in 1824, living first in Charlottesville for two years at the "old corner" on High Street. His parents then moved to "The Farm," which his father had purchased from the Lewis estate. He attended the University of Virginia from 1835 to 1840, and graduated with the degrees of M. A. and B. L.

His marriage to Miss Patsy Morris, of the Green Springs, took place in 1844. He practiced law in Charlottesville up to the death of his wife in 1847. Thereafter until the outbreak of the Civil War he engaged in farming, to which he was always devoted, and which he resumed after the surrender.

On the outbreak of hostilities in 1861, he collected a troop of cavalry, called the Albemarle Light-Horse, and was elected its Captain. In this capacity he fought through the First Battle of Manassas, but was afterward attacked by a severe digestive disorder, from which he never entirely recovered. After a year's illness he regained his health in some degree and for several months was attached to General Pendleton's Staff during the battles around Richmond. After this voluntary detail, he enlisted as a private in the Clark Cavalry and saw service in a number of engagements during the next two years, until he was captured at the battle of Yellow Tavern.

His first incarceration was at Point Lookout, Maryland, but later he was transferred to Elmira, New York. There he worked and suffered many hardships during the fall and winter of '64 and '65. During this time a large school amongst his fellow prisoners was started by him, the few necessary books being supplied by some generous and considerate Northern friends. He was finally exchanged and reached home a few days before Lee's surrender.

From that time Charlottesville was his residence, until 1874, when the move was made to his cherished farm, "Willoughby," two miles south of the city, and where he died on May 19th, 1894.

Up to his last day he maintained an active and efficient interest in the civic and religious life of the community.

He served one term as Mayor of Charlottesville, was the first County Superintendent of Sunday Schools, and was a member of the vestry of Christ Church for forty years.