Editing Jefferson Davis (section)

==Performance as commander in chief==
[[File:President Jefferson Davis. Arriving in the field of battle at Bulls's Run, (between 1861 and 1865) LCCN2004669293.tif|thumb|left|Drawing of Davis arriving at the field of [[Battle of First Manassas]] ({{circa|1861|1865}})|alt=man in uniform with epaulettes on horseback, both in profile, horse headed right, man looking left]]
Davis came to the role of commander in chief confident in his military abilities.{{sfnm|Cooper|2008|1p=86|Stoker|2010|2p=409|Woodworth|1990|3p=14}} He had graduated from West Point Military Academy, served in the regular army, and commanded troops in combat.{{sfn|Woodworth|1990|p=305}} He actively oversaw the military policy of the Confederacy and worked long hours attending to paperwork related to the organization, finance, and logistics needed to maintain the Confederate armies.{{sfnm|Cooper|2008|1p=86|McPherson|2014|2p=41|Vandiver|1977|3p=8}}

Some historians argue that Davis's personality contributed to the defeat of the Confederacy. His constant attention to minor military details has been used to illustrate an inability to delegate,{{sfnm|Cooper|2000|1p=425|McPherson|2014|2pp=110–113}} which led him to lose focus on larger issues.{{sfnm|1a1=Hattaway|1a2=Jones|1y=1991|1p=699|2a1=Stoker|2y=2010|2p=27}} He has been accused of being a poor judge of generals:{{sfn|Stoker|2010|p=406}} appointing people—such as Bragg, Pemberton, and Hood—–who failed to meet expectations,{{sfn|McPherson|2014|pp=249–250}} overly trusting long-time friends,{{sfnm|McPherson|2014|1pp=250–251|Stoker|2010|2p=305|Woodworth|1990|3pp=305, 314–315}} and retaining generals—like Joseph Johnston—long after they should have been removed.{{sfnm|Cooper|2008|1pp=87–88|Woodworth|1990|2pp=315–316}} His need to be seen as always in the right has also been described as a problem.{{sfn|Escott|1978|pp=262–264}} Historians have argued that the time spent vindicating himself took time away from pressing problems and accomplished little.{{sfn|Woodworth|1990|p=315}} His reactions to criticism made unnecessary enemies{{sfn|Hattaway|Beringer|2002|pp=99–103}} and created hostile relationships with the politicians and generals he depended on.{{sfnm|Escott|1978|1p =268|Gallagher|1997|2pp=117–118|McPherson|2014|3pp=6, 252|Stoker|2010|4pp=408–409}} It has been argued that his focus on military victory at all costs undermined the values the South was fighting for, such as states' rights{{sfn|Escott|1978|pp=177–179}} and slavery,{{sfn|Thomas|1970|pp=130–132}} but provided no alternatives to replace them.{{sfnm|Atchison|2017|1pp=[{{Google books|id=70OZDgAAQBAJ|pg=PA1|plainurl=yes}} 1–5]|Escott|1978|2p=195}}

Other historians have pointed out his strengths. Davis quickly mobilized the Confederacy despite the South's focus on states' rights, and he stayed focused on gaining independence.{{sfnm|Cooper|2008|1pp=81–83|McPherson|2014|2p=10|Vandiver|1977|3p=18}} He was a skilled orator who attempted to share the vision of national unity.{{sfnm|Atchison|2017|1pp=[{{Google books|id=70OZDgAAQBAJ|pg=PA2|plainurl=yes}} 2], [{{Google books|id=70OZDgAAQBAJ|pg=PA5|plainurl=yes}} 5]|Vandiver|1977|2pp=8–9}} He shared his message through newspapers, public speeches, and trips where he would meet with the public.{{sfn|Cooper|2008|p=85}} His policies sustained the Confederate armies through numerous campaigns, buoying Southern hopes for victory and undermining the North's will to continue the war.{{sfn|Gallagher|1997|pp=116–117}} A few historians have argued that Davis may have been one of the best people available to serve as commander in chief. Though he was unable to win the war,{{sfn|McPherson|2014|pp=247–251}} he rose to the challenge of the presidency,{{sfn|Vandiver|1977|p=18}} pursuing a strategy that not only enabled the Confederacy to hold out as long as it did, but almost achieved its independence.{{sfn|Gallagher|1997|pp=152–153}}