The autumn of 1863 was a trying time for Jefferson Davis. Even as he expressed unwavering confidence about the eventual success of the Confederate movement, he had to realize that mounting economic problems, low morale, and rotating army leadership were threatening the welfare of the new nation. Less than a year after the October 1863 Confederate victory at Chickamauga, the South relinquished Atlanta to Sherman.

During the tumultuous eleven months chronicled in Volume 10, Davis retained his fervor for southern nationalism as he struggled furiously to command a war and maintain a government. As the letters contained here illustrate, he soldiered bravely on.

The books in the Papers of Jefferson Daivs series were made possible with assistance from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

LYNDA LASSWELL CRIST has been editor of The Papers of Jefferson Davis since 1979.

Kenneth H. Williams is director of publications for the Kentucky Historical Society and editor of the Register.

Praise for the Jefferson Davis Papers

“First published in 1971, and since 1983 edited by Lynda Lasswell Crist, the Davis project has consistently set the highest editorial standards and ranked among the very best of its genre....All are indebted to Louisiana State University Press for its continued commitment to such exemplary scholarship.”—North Carolina Historical Review

“Once again, editor Linda Lasswell Crist has set a high scholarly standard in preparing a model documentary edition. . . . Future scholars will look back wistfully at The Papers of Jefferson Davis project as an exemplar of the lost art of high quality letterpress documentary editing and handsome bookmaking.”—North Carolina Historical Review