James T. Fields — 9 Nov. 1863

To JAMES T. FIELDS
November 9, [1863], Philadelphia

My dear friend

I send the story by this mail.[1] I am ashamed to send so foul a copy, but I tried to strike out all superfluous words—it grew so shamefully long. Will you send me the proof, please? It is so long since I wrote more than a word to you that I have put off saying what should have been said months ago–that is, how mortified and worried I was at finding I had been so long in your debt. I did not know it—believe me—took all that came as justly my due— I am glad it was straightened up at last. I will write a long letter to Annie—in a day or two—& send her by this mail a better paper on Gettysburgh that we like very much from its beautiful simplicity and absence of egotism. I don’t know who wrote it.

Mr. Davis sends his kindest regards.

Yours truly,

R. H. Davis

Notes

1. Probably “The Great Air-Engine,” which appeared in the December 1863 issue of the Atlantic Monthly.

Key Words

"The Great Air-Engine", financial issues, Gettysburg Campaign

Source

Richard Harding Davis Papers, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia

Contributor

S. M. Harris