Description:

J. Davis Cross-Dressing CDV: "Don’t Provoke Him, He Might Hurt You"

A carte de visite depicting Jefferson Davis (1808-1889) dressed in women's clothing fleeing from Union capture, entitled, "Dont [sic] Provoke Him / He Might Hurt You." A handwritten inscription is found on the reverse of the card reading: "Jeff Davis as he looked when our boys were after him - His wife told our soldiers not to 'provoke him as he might hurt you.'" Light expected wear to the glossy photograph surface, including isolated nicks, else near fine. The overall size of the carte is 2.375" x 4."

This depiction of former Confederate leader Jefferson Davis wearing a woman's frilly bonnet, a long skirt over pants, and a cloak, all while running away and brandishing a Bowie knife, is consistent with satirical Northern propaganda that proliferated during the immediate aftermath of the Civil War. Such imagery humiliated an already defeated South by portraying their former president as a coward.

Davis and his wife Varina were captured by Union forces outside Irwinville, Georgia in the early morning hours of May 10, 1865. Varina Davis later recounted that she had flung a waterproof overcoat and a black shawl over Davis in an attempt to disguise him, as well as to keep him warm. Yet Union officers present during the capture immediately realized the advantages of spinning the story, spreading the false report that Davis had been caught wearing a woman's bonnet, outer wrapper, and hoop skirt.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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March 30, 2022 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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