Davidson, John W., 1825-1881

Davidson was born in Fairfax County, Virginia. He was the son of William B. Davidson, an artillery officer in the United States Army, and the former Elizabeth Chapman Hunter. He was the eldest of four sons; his brothers were Hunter, Roger, and Charles. His father died from disease while serving in Florida during the Second Seminole War in 1840. His mother died ten years later, shortly after remarrying.

He graduated from West Point in 1845. His father graduated from there in 1815. Shortly after graduation he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st U.S. Dragoons and participated in the Mexican–American War, seeing considerable action at the San Pasqual and the Rio San Gabriel battles. On May 15, 1850, Davidson and Captain Nathaniel Lyon led a regiment of the 1st U.S. Dragoons in an massacre of the Pomo population of the island of Bo-No-Po-Ti in northern California.

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