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. While Davis was an initial favorite, he lost support following a
failed military campaign in Kentucky in 1861 and for criticizing Confederate war policy. 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. However, compared to earlier elections, turnout rates dropped as the 1863 campaign was considered "unlively." == Results ==