Capitol District in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Inauguration of Davis

Photographed By Kevin W., January 3, 2008

1. Inauguration of Davis Marker

Inscription. On a platform erected on this spot Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as the regularly elected President of the Confederate States of America, February 22, 1862.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is February 22, 1898.

Location. 37° 32.373′ N, 77° 26.043′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in the Capitol District. Marker can be reached from N. 9th Street near E. Grace Street. Marker is located in Capitol Square, within the fence surrounding the George Washington Monument. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Richmond VA 23219, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. George Washington Monument (here, next to this marker); Harry Flood Byrd (within shouting distance of this marker); Zero Milestone (within shouting distance of this marker); Voices from the Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Voices from the Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); William Smith (within shouting distance of this marker); Edgar Allen Poe (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas J. Jackson, General CSA (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

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marker. Note this marks the second inauguration of Jefferson Davis, this time as the regularly elected president of the Confederacy. His first inauguration, in Montgomery, Alabama one year earlier (February 18, 1861), was as provisional president for the newly formed Confederacy.

Also see . . .
1. Richmond Whig article published on 2/22/1862. "At half past 12 o’clock, the procession will move from the Hall by the eastern door of the Capitol, to the Washington Monument, in the Square. A platform has been erected at the base of the monument, facing the Governor’s House...The Inaugural Address will then be delivered, after which, the oath will be administered to the President by the Confederate Judge."
Article hosted by the Civil War Richmond website. (Submitted on January 15, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)

2. Richmond Whig article published on 2/24/1862. "The President then came forward, and ... delivered his inaugural address. At the close of the address, (as well as several times during its delivery,) the crowd cheered vociferously. The band then struck up “Dixie,” which called forth another peal of cheers."
Article hosted by the Civil War Richmond website. (Submitted on January 15, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)

3. A Harper's Weekly article (3/8/1862) tells a different story of Davis' Inauguration in Richmond.

Inauguration of Davis Marker and George Washington Monument image. Click for full size.

July 1, 2007

2. Inauguration of Davis Marker and George Washington Monument

Inauguration of Davis Marker is to the far right in this photograph, just inside the fence surrounding the monument.

"The inauguration of Mr. Davis was not attended with any enthusiasm whatever, according to statements of parties who witnessed it ... (the government) is the most lamentable failure in history, and suggests to the reflecting mind that the most signal service which that government can now render to the country is the surrender of the helm to abler and better hands.
Article hosted by the Son of the South website. (Submitted on January 15, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 15, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,345 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 15, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.