Raynors HCA 2019-01
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/21/2019
War-date Autograph Letter Signed by Isabella Clifford 6pp. octavo, Willards Hotel, Washington, July 26, 1861, with cover addressed to her husband George Clifford in New York, and reads in part: “...It is satisfactory to be able to report of our own safety so far, but I regret to say that among the killed & missing are several persons whom we knew wel. We were accustomed to see Col. Cameron almost daily and Mr. Bing (a German) was very often one of our party - the latter accompanied Senator Foster and Mr. Ely to the Battle ground on Tuesday morning, and the Senator is the only one who has returned & he escaped through the woods. The other two were last seen surrounded by a body of the ‘Virginia Black Cavalry.’ Only thos present could form a true idea of the excitement & confusion that prevailed in this city from Saturday until yesterday...Early on Monday 90 Fire Zouaves came to the hotel in the pouring rain and were refreshed by a good breakfast. They doubtless behaved bravely so long as they stayed on the field but like too many more, they fled and contrary to all military rules, numbers of them walked into Washington in different parties, receiving from many persons much sympathy, whereas they were in reality deserters....We dined at the British Embassy yesterday & of course war was the topic of conversation. Scarcely any other is even brought forward. Mr. Russell of the London Times sat on the one side of me and gave us his relations of the horrors he witnessed on the field of battle. Mr Brady was at the hote yesterday and told me several startling truths...I forgot to say we have had one amusing adventure by staying out after the countersign had been issued. And though we had Genl. Mansfield’s son & a member of Congress, we should have had trouble in passing the sentinels had not Genl. Dix had the forethought to speak of the possibility of our being late on the road! An incident of war!...” Fine condition.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.