Davis was first to suggest the transcontinental railroad to link the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans; he was first to suggest the Panama Canal Zone; he suggested the purchase of Cuba; and he appointed Robert E. Lee Superintendent of West Point.

Jefferson Davis' last marriage was a wonderful one to Varina, who gave her husband two sons and two daughters (Jefferson, Margaret, Winnie and Billy). In 1864, an abused black child named Jim Limber was adopted by the Davis'.

There are few people who have touched so many as did Jefferson Davis. His funeral services were attended by thousands of mourners. Milo Cooper, a former servant, traveled all the way from Florida to pay his last respects. It is written that, upon entering Davis' sick room, Cooper burst into tears and threw himself on his knees in prayer that God would spare the life of his old master and bless the Davis family. Davis was first buried in New Orleans but later was removed to the Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.

The answer to the question "What is the largest monument to an American? " is: the "Jefferson Davis Highway", which begins in Washington, D.C., and covers 3,417 miles as it passes through 173 counties and 13 states.

Sadly, Jefferson Davis' last home "Beauvoir" was hit hard by Hurricane Katrina. The Mississippi Division Sons of Confederate Veterans, who operate Beauvoir, need your help today. Please help restore an important part of American history. [ www.beauvoir.org ]

A native of Georgia, Calvin Johnson lives near the historic town of Kennesaw, home of the locomotive "The General" from the War Between the States. He is Chairman of the Confederate History and Heritage Month for the Georgia Division Sons of Confederate Veterans. His email is: cjohnson1861@bellsouth.net.