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(DAVIS JEFFERSON) VARINA H. DAVIS: (1826 - 1906) Wife of Jefferson Davis, President of the Confed...

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:600.00 - 800.00 USD
(DAVIS JEFFERSON) VARINA H. DAVIS: (1826 - 1906) Wife of Jefferson Davis, President of the Confed...
(DAVIS JEFFERSON) VARINA H. DAVIS: (1826 - 1906) Wife of Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America. Mrs. Davis remained a staunch supporter of "the lost cause" until her death. Important A.L.S. "Jefferson Davis" 3pp. large 8vo., Beauvoir, Miss., May 23, 1878, to Colonel John Wood, a Confederate naval and cavalry officer who had accompanied Davis during his flight south from Virginia after Apammattox. In particular Davis was interested in the circumstances surrounding their crossing of the Savannah River on May 3, 1863, seven days before his capture. At the time Jefferson Davis was preparing his 1881 work, Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government. She writes in part: "...A correspondence has arisen marked by great discrepancy of memory as to the events at Abbeville & Washington Georgia -- I recollect that you wrote one more of the dispatches I sent to Breckinridge At the crossing of the Savannah River, & hope you may retain a distant recollection as to the following points. 1st. did we leave Abbeville [S.C.] with the understanding that the cavalry then with us should disperse, or with the expectation that it would continue with me in the field. 2nd. When we crossed the Savannah River with a single Co. as escort was it understood that we were to go on with that as a protecting force, or that the rest of the Calvary would immediately follow & When at the house where we got breakfast, and heard that the enemy were threatening Washington Georgia, do you remember my sending a courier back with a note to the officer commanding the advance, directing him to hasten forward to more upon Washington with us. 4th. Do you recollect the first dispatch of Genl. Breckenridge from the crossing of the Savannah River and my reply to it, he asking for authority to pay coin to the troops & I consenting that through the Sec. of the Treay. it might be done. 5. Do you recollect another dispatch from Genl. Breckenridge informing me that they were paying some coin to the troops which I think you brought to me while I was in bed, and wrote a reply for me expressive of impatience at the delay of the troops to advance, and requiring that they should come forward or notify me that they would not. Of course I do not attempt to give the words, or expect you to recollect more than the mere substance. 6th. Was it not disappointment at the failure of the troops to come forward that caused the reduction of my escort with a view to going unobserved instead of moving with purpose & ability to fight. Will you oblige me by stating any other facts in this connection which may occur to you...". At the time of this letter there were differing stories being told by various participants and observers as to the circumstances surrounding Davis' departure from Richmond which contained numerous contradictions including the whereabouts of John C. Brekenridge. Usual folds, else very good. $600-800