1863 Mississippi gubernatorial election
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The 1863 Mississippi gubernatorial election was held on October 5, 1863, to elect the governor of Mississippi. Charles Clark, a Democrat, won against Democrat A. M. West and Fire-Eater Democrat Reuben Davis.[1]
October 5, 1863
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 County results Clark: 40â50% 50â60% 60â70% 70â80% 80â90% >90% West: 40â50% 50â60% 60â70% No vote Unknown | |||||||||||||||||||||
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General election
The elections of 1863 in Mississippi marked a shift towards peace during the American Civil War, as Governor Pettus, a fire-eating secessionist, became ineligible for a consecutive third term. Reuben Davis, an outspoken prowar Democrat and Pettus's political ally, was expected to succeed him but faced opposition from Charles Clark, a Delta Whig-turned-Democrat and war supporter.[2][3] Clark, a veteran of the War with Mexico, had opposed secession in the 1850s but rose to the rank of brigadier general in the state and Confederate armies.[2] Another candidate, Absalom West, a Democrat of "Whiggish bent" who had been a Unionist before the war, represented the peace movement.[1][2][3] While Davis was an initial favorite, he lost support following a failed military campaign in Kentucky in 1861 and for criticizing Confederate war policy.[4]
Despite being on crutches due to war wounds, Clark won the gubernatorial election, signaling a victory for conservatives turning away from earlier fire-eater ideologies. The election results were seen as indicative of a growing desire for peace in the midst of the Civil War.[2] However, compared to earlier elections, turnout rates dropped as the 1863 campaign was considered "unlively."[4]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Charles Clark | 16,428 | 70.5% | |
| Democratic | Absolom M. West | 4,863 | 20.9% | |
| Democratic | Reuben Davis | 2,009 | 8.6% | |
| Total votes | 23,300[a] | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||