Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation

MSS 16816, Jefferson Davis comic carte de visites, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia Library.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was purchased from David Lesser by the Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia Library on 1 March 2023.

Biographical / Historical

Jefferson F. Davis (June 3, 1808 – December 6, 1889) was an American politician who served as the first and only president of the Confederate States from 1861 to 1865. He represented Mississippi in the United States Senate and the House of Representatives as a member of the Democratic Party before the American Civil War. He was the United States Secretary of War from 1853 to 1857.

Source: Davis, Jefferson. Wikipedia. Accessed 2/14/24 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_Davis

Content Description

This collection contains five comic carte de visite engravings illustrating Jefferson Davis's capture. Davis, president of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War (1861–1865), was captured on May 10, 1865, by Union cavalry near Irwinville, Georgia. It was rumored that Davis disguised himself in a woman's dress when caught. The titles and printing information include: "How do you like it, Jefferson D.?," Kellogg Brothers, Hartford, CT, 1865; "The last ditch of the chivalry, or a President in petticoats [no imprint]"; "Mrs. Jeff. Davis, Don't provoke the President or he may hurt some of you," Boston, Wm. H. Mumler, 1865; "A wolf in sheep's clothing, or Jeff.. in crinoline," Phil. Pho. Co, Philadelphia, 1865; and "Strategy or Change of Base," Boston, Wm. H. Mumler, 1865.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889
• United States History Civil War 1861-1865
• political cartoons