Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Davis, Jefferson (1808-1889) to James Lyons

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01651 Author/Creator: Davis, Jefferson (1808-1889) Place Written: Richmond, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1 September 1862 Pagination: 1 p. ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

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.

Richmond Va
Sept. 1. 1862
my dear sir,
That you may not be disturbed by exaggerated reports I write to say that genl. Lee on the evening of the 29 sent me a dispatch announcing that genl. Taliaferro was slightly wounded. Genl. Lee was at the Manassas junction and did not state in what action the casualty above noted ac curred or any further particular in relation to it.
very Respectfully
& truly your's
Jeffen,,Davis
Hon. James Lyons
Laburnum.

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889
Lyons, James, 1801-1882
Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870
Taliaferro, William Booth, 1822-1898

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources