I have been reading Shelby Foote’s “The Civil War: A Narrative”.
In this book Davis is described as a proponent of the state’s rights to leave the union and upon Mississippi voting to leave he delivers a speech in the senate informing them that Mississippi has left the union and he bids farewell.
Later he is with his wife in a rose garden or something and receives a letter informing him he has been elected the president of the CSA which is portrayed as coming as a surprise to him.
I understand the mechanics of the election that got him elected, which states voted and the allocation of the votes. What I do not understand is why/how he was elected without his knowledge, acceptance of nomination, or being aware that he was in the running.
Or is this portrayal not entirely accurate and I am missing something here?
I haven't read Shelby Foote's book. But the story you're relating is false. There are two truths in it: Firstly, it's true that Davis gave a speech in the Senate, bid farewell, and left, calling it the saddest day of his life. Secondly, Davis's wife was informed by telegram, not letter, that Davis had been elected. (We are not, as far as I know, aware of whether she was in a rose garden.)
The rest is absolute hogwash. Davis returned to Mississippi where he was appointed a Major General (since he had extensive military experience). He was sent as a delegate from Mississippi to the Confederate constitutional convention in Montgomery, Alabama. Davis himself claims that he went intending to seek appointment as a commander or perhaps Secretary of War. But it was quickly realized that he had wide-ranging support from other delegates. He was acclaimed Confederate President in Montgomery. He was aware of the nomination and vote when they happened.
Davis was no Cincinnatus. He was an active supporter of the Southern Cause and eagerly participated in the Confederacy. He never made any attempt to retire after resigning, as the story seems to imply.