Davis, Varina (1826-1906) to James Redpath
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.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01945 Author/Creator: Davis, Varina (1826-1906) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: circa November 1889 Pagination: 1 p. ; 18 x 12 cm. Order a Copy
Sends memoranda (not included) and a brief account of Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston retreat of the 1862 Battle of Yorktown, on behalf of her ill husband, Jefferson Davis. Redpath was writing an account of the battle.
[excerpt]
...Mr. Davis has been & is too ill to do any literary work of any kind. He sends you word that enclosed are two of three memoranda of Yorktown matters which a perusal of his own & Genl Johnston's [Joseph Johnston, Confederate Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia] history will enable you to use in writing the account of the battle. Johnston's narrative is at Beauvoir [the Davis' home in Mississippi] - either in the Pavilion or Charles will find it for you in Mr. Davis' room. Mr. Davis adds that when Magruder [Confederate General John B. Magruder] was in command at Yorktown, he threw up redoubts on the line over which, if defeated, his army must retreat so that troops could defend the position until the heavy guns, ammunition etc could be safely removed. Gen/ Johnston retreated beyond & behind these & the enemy occupied the redoubts & slaughtered a good many of our troops sent back to retake them by their protecting shelter - hence the stress laid upon the astonishment of the enemy of finding these fortifications "unoccupied". Mr. Davis intended writing a succinct acct from our standpoint but has been too ill to do it. In the printed map I send, you will find the 'astonished'… Mr Davis is very weak & I do not foresee the time he can come home - & I feel a constant uneasiness. He has not had a good night so I only write you a few words..."
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.