The Papers of Jefferson Davis (review)

BOOK REVIEWS179 power. There are a few minor errors of fact that do not detract from the value of the work, although I am very curious as to why "longshoremen " would be found among the labor force of Weatherford. The writing is generally clear if a bit pedestrian. There is nothing startlingly new in Time of Hope, Time of Despair, but it does help to increase our understanding of Reconstruction both in Texas and in the South as a whole. Michael D. Pierce Tarleton State College The Papers of Jefferson Davis. Volume 3: July 1846-December 1848. Edited by James T. Mcintosh. Volume 4: 1849-1852. Edited by Lynda Lasswell Crist. (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1982, 1983. Pp. xxxvi, 509, & xxxix, 472. $37.50 each.) The editors have continued the same high standards manifested since 1971, when publication of this modern set of Davis Papers began. Rising production costs have dictated a reduction in the number of projected volumes as well as some substantial changes in methodology. Fewer documents are included with preference for those that illuminate Davis's "character, opinions, philosophy, and personal relationships " (4:xvii). To help compensate for the diminution from the project's original scope, an outstanding and useful tool is being included in these and subsequent volumes: an appended calendar listing, and briefly describing the contents of, all Davis material known to exist. Jefferson Davis wanted prominent status, particularly in public life, and he perceived a way to get that through acquiring military glory. The Mexican War provided him his opportunity. "The desire to be in every battle fought during my term of service is strong," he confessed to his brother [3:115]. The conflict also proved the time when Davis developed his close personal relationship with Zachary Taylor, which lasted for the remainder of his former father-in-law's life. Taylor gave Davis and his men warm praise in his official report after Buena Vista. Showing an apparent partiality which many other soldiers resented, especially members and friends of the Indiana regiments—with whom Davis squabbled over credit for the victory (3:149 n.34). Davis praised the volunteer soldiers, but particularly those who served under him, always urging their just rewards. "Regulars of the service— men enlisted for war as profession—have won bright laurels," he said, "but I feel no hesitation in saying, what my long connection in the regular service enables me to say without invidiousness, that neither the exactest discipline nor the severest drill, without that spirit which volunteers eminently possess, will make the truly effective soldier" (3:182). 180CIVIL WAR HISTORY Other documents in these two volumes illuminate the nature of Davis 's second marriage. "I was much gratified to see that you have been engaged in useful and domestic things," he wrote to Varina Howell Davis in July, 1846. "However unimportant in themselves each may be, it is the mass which constitutes the business of life, and as it is pursued so will it generally be found that a woman is happy and contented" (3:13). In a later letter his wife addressed him sweetly as "My Darling Banny" (3:53), and in another, the same in which she reported that she had selected reading material which would "help 'Winnie' to be 'Wife,' " she penned: "My own bright love, farewell. Kiss wife, and say goodnight . Winnie is Husband's baby and baby is your devoted wife" (4:62). But the two obviously did not always get along so sweetly. We can infer a good deal from an April 1848 letter he wrote to her. "I cannot bear to be suspected or complained of, or misconstrued after explanation , by you___ you may not have understood how far your treatment of me was injurious. I will only say, that I hoped when you saw that your course if continued would render it impossible for us ever to live together, that my ill health rendering me less able to bear abuse, produced a necessity for separation. . . the dread of constant strife was so great ... it would always make me happier to be with you, if kind and peaceful" (3:302-03). With others Davis could be cold and sometimes...