Lieutenant Davis knew them both, bride and groom, from the early day, all through life, and at the death of the Colonel wrote to Mrs. Dement the following touching letter, in which the friendship of that famous old campaign is alluded to:
“Beauvoir, Miss., Feb. 4th, 1883.
“My Dear Friend: Of the many who will offer you condolence in your recent bereavement, there is not one who sympathizes more deeply with you than he who long years ago claimed the privilege of the sacred name of friend.
“Widely and long we have been separated, but your image has not been dimmed by time and distance.
“The gallantry and noble bearing of your deceased husband was known to all who, like myself, were on the frontier of Illinois during the campaign against Black Hawk, and from your brother, Augustus, and your friend, General Jones, I heard of him in after years.
“As your husband, he was to me the object of special interest, and it was a great gratification to me to learn that he was so worthy to be your life companion.
“If you have preserved enough of the pleasant memories of one springtime to care for one who flitted with you over the flowers of youth’s happy garden, it will give me sincere gratification to hear from you and to learn of the welfare of yourself and children.
“With cordial regard for you and yours, and renewed assurance of my deep sympathy, I am ever,
“Faithfully your friend,
“Jefferson Davis.”