The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government.

DAVIS, Jefferson.

Item Number: 5144

New York: Appleton and Company, 1881.

First editions of Davis’ memoirs. Thick octavo, two volumes, original cloth. Inscribed by Jefferson Davis in volume one. In very good condition with the spine gilt bright and only light rubbing to the cloth. Exceptionally rare and desirable signed and inscribed.

Jefferson Davis wrote most of the Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government at Beauvoir, the Biloxi, Mississippi plantation where he was living as a guest of the novelist and wealthy widow, Sarah Ellis Dorsey. Ill with cancer, in 1878 she made over her will and left the plantation to him before her death in 1879. She had already assisted him in his writing, notably with organization, editing and encouragement. Davis was also assisted by his wife, Varina, and his secretary Major W.T. Walthall. He corresponded voluminously with surviving Confederate statesmen and generals, including Judah Benjamin and Jubal Early, for fact checking and details on key issues.