Making Nice With Virginia and Vice Versa
First Lady praises Virginia's accession to CSA galaxy (LOC - LC-DIG-ppmsca-07786)
From The New-York Times May 21, 1861:
WHAT MRS. DAVIS HAS TO SAY ABOUT IT.
The following letter from Mrs. JEFFERSON DAVIS was written in acknowledgment of the receipt of a beautiful work-box, manufactured and presented to her by several patriotic ladies of Richmond:
MONTGOMERY, Ala., April 29, 1861.
MY DEAR YOUNG LADIES: Permit me before thanking you for your kind present and wishes for my husband’s welfare, to congratulate you upon the secession of Virginia — the birth place of my mother, as well as yours.
The elder and honored sister of the Southern States is received with tearful joy among us, and many hands will fashion stars with which to mark this brilliant accession to our galaxy.
The possession of a work-box manufactured by little Southern girls, so industrious, so enthusiastic and so patriotic, will be much prized by me, and I will leave it to my daughter, with the note which precedes it, as a precious legacy.
Long ere you reach the responsibility of a useful womanhood, may we have united peace to independence in our Southern Confederacy.
Wishing you, my dear young friends, a long, a happy life, I have the honor to be.
Very gratefully and sincerely, Your friend, VARINA DAVIS.
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London Times' Russell: Things going swimmingly in fledgling nation (LOC - LC-USZC4-9183)
Varina’s Husband Confident in Virginia’s General Lee
FROM MONTGOMERY.
The Macon (Ga.) Telegraph says: “From a party in a position to know we learn that the military plans of President DAVIS are but very partially disclosed even to Congress itself. The President reposes perfect confidence in the capacity and qualifications of Gen. LEE. Men are proffered in abundance; of money there is enough for the present, and if the war should be protracted, which it is believed will be the case, favorable prospects are opening for the future. The utmost confidence exists of maintaining Southern honor and independence. Mr. RUSSELL, the special correspondent of the London Times, left Montgomery amply satisfied on these points: First — The order, docility and loyalty of our servile population. Second — The substantial unity of our people in this struggle for independence. Third — The utter impossibility of reconstruction ”
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Virginia Does Not Have to be Brightest Star on Varina’s New Flag
William C Rives - Virginia will follow Georgia's lead (University of Virginia)
A RECREANT UNION LOVER.
Hon. W.C. RIVES, who was firm for the Union until he received the appointment of Commissioner of Virginia to the C.S.A., made the following speech at Atlanta, Ga., on May 14:
I feel highly complimented by this call from the citizens of Georgia to say a few words. I suppose you do not want to hear a speech from me, but that you do want to hear from Virginia. [“That’s it,” and cheers from the crowd.] She is all right, I am most happy to inform you. She is heart and hand with Georgia in this struggle, and will faithfully do her part. You have been accustomed, in political matters, in time past, to follow our lead; but now we will follow your lead in this great movement for the maintenance of the rights and independence of the South and her institutions. Our rights and liberties are assailed, and must be defended. Our cause is a just one, and brave hearts are rushing to uphold it. In the meantime, you may rely upon old Virginia. Whether she is to lead or to follow, she will be along and give a good account of herself. …
Where Varina wrote thank you note - Montgomery 1861 (Harper's June 1861 LOC - LC-USZ62-85968)
William Howard Russell earlier covered the Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War.
William Cabell Rives served as Minister to France during Andrew Jackson’s administration.
Varina Davis, who was pregnant with her fifth child at the time of the thank you note, finished her husband’s memoirs after his death in 1889.
