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THBVarina Davis and Family Letters and Photograph
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About Auction
LiveOct 11, 2023
RR Auction support@rrauction.com
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- Lot Description
Group lot of postwar material related to Jefferson and Varina Davis, the first couple of the Confederacy, including:
An ALS signed "Varina Jefferson Davis," eight pages on two sets of two adjoining sheets, 4 x 5, March 7, 1905, written from New York's Hotel Girard and addressed to Wilkes Barre Record editor J. Andrew Boyd, in part: "I have very gratefully received your kind note with slip enclosed, corroborative of my opinion after being shown Genl Miles order book which he showed me while I was at the Fort with my Husband‰Û_Mr. Davis was taken to prison on the 19th [May 1865], I sailed under sealed orders on the 23d not knowing to what port we were bound, or what was to be our fate, with my four babies—I may have asked Miles to give me what news he could, and he certainly gave me false answers, but I believed him and was willing perhaps to send him thanks, however the date of the note shows that my approval of his course even if he had stated the truth fairly, only extended to four days when he had the best reason to know I could have known nothing of his conduct or of my husband's condition, and the thanks were personal." Accompanied by the address panel from the original mailing envelope addressed in Davis's hand.
An ALS from their daughter, Margaret Howell Davis Hayes, dated March 14, 1905, also addressed to Boyd, in part: “My mother Mrs. Jefferson Davis sent me your kind letter to her and after the abusive newspaper clippings and letters we have both received it was very grateful. I shall put in the scrapbook I am making for my children. I have kept all the data concerning the controversy Miles forced upon us and am classifying it. All such kind and just letters as yours I shall include. Having stripped Gen. Miles of his lion’s skin I think silence is the defense he will find best.”
A manuscript telegram signed on behalf of Varina Davis, U. S. Military Telegraph letterhead, dated May 19, 1865, addressed to Montgomery Blair or Archie Campbell, in full: “I am on a Steamboat ‘Clyde’ destination Washington. Have four small children with me and may require assistance at the landing. If convenient you will oblige me by meeting me there.”
An autograph manuscript from William C. Townsend, one of the guards who stood watch over the captured Jefferson Davis, detailing his own military history, in part: “Promoted to 1st Lieutenant of Co. A 14 Regt. March 27th 1865 and took Command of the Company was detailed with my company to proceed as guard over Jeff Davis and other prisoners under Col. Pichard [sic], from Augusta, Ga., to Fortress Monroe from Fortress Monroe was sent back to Savannah, Ga., in charge of ship having on board Mrs. Davis and other ladies to land at said place.” When the steamship Clyde docked at Hampton Roads, Jefferson Davis was taken to Fortress Monroe but his wife, children, and other women in their party were kept on board. They were then sent back to Savannah where Varina was placed under house arrest until the end of the summer.
An original 8 x 5 cabinet-style photo of the brick exterior of Fort Monroe, with reverse annotated in black ink, “Casemates where Jeff Davis was confined and moved, Fort Monroe. Published by William Blauch. In overall fine condition. - Shipping Info
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