circa 1861-1865

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Photograph

Title: Sketch of Jefferson Davis in a dress escaping Union troops.

Drawing shows Jefferson Davis in a woman's dress hopping over a timber fence. There is a bag on the ground marked "J. Davis Mexico." Two Union soldiers are chasing Davis. One is holding a torch in the air, the other is pointing a revolver at Davis, and saying "Hold on old Jeff! the 'last Ditch' is not on that side of the Fence." Davis responds, "I thought your Government was too Magnanimous to hunt down Women & children." A woman in a fancy dress adds, "Don't Irritate the 'President' he might hurt somebody." Imprint on image "The Confederacy in Petticoats." Photographers imprint…

GLC05111.02.1374

circa 1861-1865

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Photograph

Title: Political cartoon:"The Latter End of the Confederacy."

Drawing shows Lady Liberty with Jefferson Davis in a dress. Liberty has lifted up Davis' dress to whip him with a cat o' nine tails. Her foot is crushing a box, which reads: "Confederate Bonds." Davis is unarmed, his knife is lying on the ground. Imprint on image "The latter End of the Confed'racy." Graphite inscription on recto "The Latter End of the Confederacy." Imprint on recto "Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1865, by Bundy & Williams. In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Connecticut." Photographers imprint on verso: "Bundy & Williams. 314…

GLC05111.02.1378

January 23, 1865

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Document to Senate vetoing Confederate Congress Act allowing congressional appointments of midshipmen]

A document from Davis to the Confederate Senate, in which he explains his reasons for considering the act, which would allow the House, Senate, and President to select midshipmen, unconstitutional because it will infringe on the president's sole authority to make such appointments. Claims that the act is "repugnant to the whole theory of our Republican Institutions, which are based on the fundamental idea of independent and distinct functions in each of the departments of government." Parses the language of the act in relation to the Confederate Constitution.

GLC07359

28 December 1863

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Document signed

Title: to Senate of the Confederate States of America

Sends a draft of instructions (not included) for sending a diplomatic minister to Mexico. Asks the senate for advice on whether a minister should be sent and, if so, on the terms laid out.

GLC06619.01

18 August 1854

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Letter signed

Title: to John E. Wool

Written by Davis as Secretary of War to General Wool as Commander of the Department of the Pacific. References Wool's letter of 30 May 1854 and his own letters to Wool on 12 January 1854 and 14 April 1854. Expresses surprise and indignation at Wool's complaining tone toward the Department of War in regard to his authority to suppress illegal expeditions against the Mexican territory. He reminds Wool "that while you choose to hold the high commission of General in the Army, you assume an obligation to render due respect and cheerful obedience to the authority and orders of this Department…

GLC05518

circa February 22, 1862

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Broadside

Title: President Jefferson Davis's Inaugural Address

Extra printing of Davis's speech from the Richmond Enquirer. The address was delivered on 22 February 1862. The paper was then published by Tyler, Wise & Allegre. Bottom of document mentions the evacuation of Nashville on February 22.

GLC05557.02

26 August 1862

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: on George W. Randolph

Davis's endorsement, written on blank leaf of Secretary of War Randolph's letter, discusses doing justice to General John B. Magruder and the recommendation that he be given a command in the Trans-Mississippi Department. Randolph's letter (the first two pages), dated 26 August 1862, defends Magruder against charges of drunkenness and incompetence during the Peninsula Campaign: "He must be acquitted on 'incompetence' altho on more than one occasion he may have erred." On Confederate States of America, War Department stationery.

GLC05740

17 August 1867

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frank H. Alfriend

Noted at top "Strictly Confidential." Discusses events of 1850, 1857-8-9 and 1860-61. He argues that repeal of the Missouri Compromise logically allowed nullification of other things as well. Blames abolitionism. Argues that the South had to withdraw rather than work against Lincoln because eventually it would be outnumbered whatever it did. includes justification for "The exercise of the sovereign right of state revocation of its Grants and withdrawl from the union." Alfriend was author of The Life of Jefferson Davis. Marked "Strictly Confidential" at the top. Written a few months…

GLC05344.01

28 April 1871

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frank H. Alfriend

Marked "Private" at the top. Davis has not been able to obtain a copy of the biography which Alfriend wrote. The book is available only through subscription. He heard the book was "the best work on the subject which had been produced." He encourages Alfriend to write a history of the war between the states that would do "justice to our Section . . . ." He continues: "The severe ordeal of War and the still harder test of unrestrained power in the hands of the successful combattant [sic], have shed a flood of light on the questions which were discussed in the formation of the plan of Union…

GLC05344.02

3 October 1876

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frank H. Alfriend

Enclosing a letter from an author name Spruce [?], who wrote a history of the "War between the Northern and Southern States." Davis notes the book is widely circulated in America. [Enclosure is not included in the collection.]

GLC05344.03

1861-1877

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph note

Title: to Frank H. Alfriend

Informing Alfriend that Davis will come to see him tonight or tomorrow.

GLC05344.04

21 September 1863

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Letter signed

Title: to [D.W. Lewis]

Discusses his relationship with Robert A. Toombs, his former Secretary of State. Six months earlier Davis had failed to give Toombs a military promotion and he subsequently resigned. Praises Toombs for helping free the south from "A union so odious to our people." Explains that he was reluctant to promote Toombs to Brigadier Admiral because of his concerns in placing a civilian with no field experience in such a high rank. Rebuts the perception that he was biased in favor of officers trained in military academies. Acknowledges Toombs's service in Florida but notes that his name was never…

GLC05293

October 9, 1862

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Letter signed

Title: to Governor John Milton

Davis writes as President of the Confederate States to the Governor of Florida about enforcing the Conscript Act in the state and encloses a copy of the instructions (not present). Addresses the issue of physically unfit men reporting for duty and directs that it is the duty of the mustering and inspecting officers to refuse them. Letter written to Milton in Tallahassee, Florida.

GLC01430.01

November 7, 1862

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to John Milton

Davis discusses the defense of Florida. He has received Milton's letter requesting aid to Florida. He notes the need to defend Florida, but is unable to send troops. He will, however, send arms and officers. Letter written primarily in the hand of Davis' private secretary Burton Harrison, with a ten line addition in Davis's hand and signed by Davis.

GLC01430.03

April 3, 1863

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Letter signed

Title: to Governor Harris Flanagin

Davis writes to the Governor of Arkansas asking for his aid in providing defense of Mississippi. States that the defense of the Mississippi River is of primary importance and because of this, the defense of "Vicksburgh and Port Hudson" are also necessary. Bemoans the diminishing number of troops in Arkansas. States he has appealed to the Arkansas delegation in Congress to try and get more troops and copies a passage from the letter he sent. "It is not in my opinion wise or proper to encourage the idea of retaining in each State its own troops for its own defense, and thus giving strength to…

GLC01352

October 25, 1867

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Robb

Davis asks for Robb's assistance in selling 12000 acres of land in Arkansas. Indicates that he co-owns the land with his brother, Joseph E. Davis. Notes that the land has depreciated to less than a fourth its original value. Asks that, "for obvious reasons," his name be withheld from any transaction made.

GLC01847

1 August 1864

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Jones

Telegram sent by the Southern Telegraph Companies. Asks Jones in Charleston, South Carolina, for a list of captured Confederate officers who might be exchanged for Union officers. Writes "If exchange is perfected furnish promptly lists of officers received that orders of assignment may be sent. Jeffer. Davis." General Samuel Jones succeeded Beauregard to head the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, during which he commanded at Charleston, South Carolina.

GLC01944

8 May 1863

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Letter signed

Title: to James Whitfield

Along with Mississippi Governor Whitfield, the letter is addressed to Bishop Robert Paine, James T. Harrison, and Dr. Sykes. Davis responds to their letter regarding the defense of Columbus, Mississippi. He assures them that he is concerned for the city (and northeastern Mississippi), and that he is engaging in activities to ensure the regions safety. He also expresses his sympathy for the sufferings of their people.

GLC01962

circa February 13, 1862

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: to George Washington Custis Lee

Autograph endorsement signed in pencil "J.D.", on address leaf of a letter from Weldon N. Edwards to Jefferson Davis dated 13 February 1862 from Raleigh, North Carolina. Edwards, writing as president of the North Carolina Secession Convention, sends resolutions (not included) from the convention. Davis's endorsement directs George Washington Custis Lee to acknowledge receipt of the convention resolutions (not included) sent by Edwards. With additional signed endorsement in pencil of George Washington Custis Lee, "ansd' G.W.C.Lee." Stamped "Examined for War Records" and "Copied."

GLC02017

August 1857

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written after relinquishing the post of Secretary of War, defending himself against charges made by General John Wool. Davis asks that his correspondent publish his letters on the matter, in hopes of clearing his name. Davis also writes about the events at the Battle of Buena Vista. Wool had been voted a testimonial sword by Congress but had not received it in California and believed that Davis kept it out of spite.

GLC02299

September 1, 1862

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Lyons

Davis informs Lyons that General Robert E. Lee sent a dispatch indicating that General William B. Taliaferro was slightly wounded at Manassas Junction (during the second Battle of Manassas, AKA Bull Run). He does not want Lyons to be alarmed by "exaggerated reports." Lyons was a representative from Virginia in the Confederate Congress.

GLC01651

23 September 1861

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Queen Victoria

Presenting James M. Mason as the "Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary" from the Confederate States of America to Great Britain. Mason and John Slidell were captured by Union ships during their voyage to Europe, beginning the Trent Affair.

GLC01546

1 March 1862

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Proclamation of martial law in Richmond]

"I Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America do proclaim that martial law is hereby extended over the City of Richmond and the adjoining and surrounding country to the distance of ten miles." The word "Seal" with a circle around it is written on the second page, in place of an official seal. Signed as President of the Confederate States, written in the hand of Judah P. Benjamin, as Secretary of War.

GLC01547

14 November 1853

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lorenzo Thomas

Then Lieutenant Jefferson Davis writes to Assistant Adjutant General Lorenzo Thomas to request permission to rejoin his company in Virginia instead of Florida. The first artillery had been transferred from Fort Myers, Florida, to Fort Monroe, Old Point Comfort, Virginia, and would leave Florida before he could rejoin it.

GLC02455.03

24 June 1861

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Letter signed

Title: to Warren Winslow

Tells Winslow that he is forwarding his request to promote Colonel Daniel Harvey Hill to the Secretary of War for consideration. A blue paper and printed blurb about Davis are attached to the document. 1 black and white bust engraving of Jefferson Davis included.

GLC02472