ALS written and signed on behalf of Jefferson Davis by his wife Varina, four pages on two adjoining sheets, 6 x 9.5, July 20, 1883. Handwritten letter to John W. Daniel. In part: "I have often seen statements which did not accord with my recollection of the facts concerning events in which Genl. Lee & myself were jointly concerned but have not thought it worthwhile to correct them. My letter to you was an exception to this general rule, made so because I regard your oration as one which will live in the future. It will be selected for schoolbooks, heard on declamation days, and offered as an example of English eloquence as long as the language lives.
The story as told in the reminiscences though intended for the laudation of Lee, does him positive injustice. He was a modest man, careful never to trench upon the function of others, he was an honest man, a fearless man, and was my friend. Either of these characteristics made it impossible that he should have used the language imputed to him in the closing paragraph of the extract you sent to me. If he had entertained any such opinion he would have communicated it to me and not have stabbed me by such criticism behind my back. To any one at all acquainted with the manner in which officers are assigned to duty, it must appear very absurd that a General in the field should refuse to assign an officer not under his command to an army of which he had no immediate control & in the meantime admit that the President, if he thought proper, could make such assignment. I often did consult Genl. Lee about matters outside of his immediate command and as he stated before the Grand Jury at Richmond, he habitually consulted me, whenever he could do so, about all which concerned his command, and he added, as we uniformly agreed, he could not say I was responsible for his overt acts. Thus he reported to me his testimony, when he was called as a witness to sustain the indictment against me.
Now I will as promised in my former letter give you a statement of the facts in regard to the event which has been so distorted, and in which I think it is Custis Lee who deserves credit for self abnegation and a chivalric regard for the claims of officers in the field. He will no doubt remember more minutely than myself all the facts of the case, & while he might not volunteer to communicate them would no doubt do so upon inquiry." In fine condition, with a tiny hole and paperclip mark to the upper corner. A remarkable letter by the former Confederate president on his general in chief.
The Collection of Dr. Joseph Matheu.
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