Description:

Davis Varina

Varina Davis writes to a newspaper editor thanking him for disproving the Fort Monroe Commandant's assertion that he was directed to put Jefferson Davis in chains.



Mrs. Jefferson Davis is grateful to a newspaper editor for printing proof that her letter to Gen. Nelson Miles at Fort Monroe thanking him for his courtesy was written before irons were placed on her husband’s feet, and refuting Miles’ claim that he was directed to do so by the War Department by proving Secretary Stanton had only authorized the action whenever Miles thought it advisable.





Autograph Letter Signed “Varina Jefferson Davis,” 8 pages, 4” x 5”. Hotel Girard [New York City], March 7, 1905. With partial front panel, 4” x 2.5”, of envelope addressed by Mrs. Davis to ”J. Andrew Boyd Esqr / Editor of Wilkes Barre Record / Wilkes Barre. / Penn.” Postmarked New York, March 7, 1905. Fine condition.





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 … 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 out 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 husbands condition, and the thanks were personal…”



On Feb. 8, 1905, Gen. Nelson A. Miles stated, in part, “As far as my official action is concerned, it was directed by the highest authority…” A photocopy of the statement as published in the Feb. 9, 1905 edition of “The Washington Post” is present. One of the letters Boyd published on Mar. 2nd authorized Miles “to place manacles and fetters upon the hands and feet of Jefferson Davis.” One from Miles begins “Yesterday I directed that irons be put on Mr. Davis’s ankles.” Miles had also earlier stated that Mrs. Davis thanked him for his treatment of Mr. Davis.



With an ALS “Margaret H. Jefferson Davis Hayes,” 4 pages, 5.75” x 5.75”. Colorado Springs, March 14, 1905. To Boyd, beginning, “My mother Mrs Jefferson Davis sent me your kind letter to her ... ”



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