Edmund J. Davis

Edmund Jackson Davis
Brig. Gen. Edmund J. Davis in a Federal uniform
14th Governor of Texas
In office January 8, 1870 – January 15, 1874
Lieutenant	Vacant
Preceded by	Elisha M. Pease
Succeeded by	Richard Coke
Chair of the Texas Republican Party
In office 1875–1883
Preceded by	John L. Haynes
Succeeded by	Norris Wright Cuney
Personal details
Born	October 2, 1827 St. Augustine, Florida, U.S.
Died	February 7, 1883 (aged 55) Austin, Texas, U.S.
Resting place	Texas State Cemetery Austin, Texas, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Anne Elizabeth Britton
Profession	Lawyer and politician
Military service
Allegiance	United States (Union)
Branch/service	U.S. Army (Union Army)
Years of service	1862–1865
Rank	Brigadier General
Commands	1st Texas Cavalry Regiment
Battles/wars	American Civil War

Edmund Jackson Davis (October 2, 1827 – February 24, 1883) 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,^[1] Davis is known for leasing prisoners to private corporations to alleviate state budget shortfalls.^[2]