Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-09-13
Wr. DayiS's Pretty Daughter.

Correspondence of tho New York World
ALEXANDRIA, Va, Sept. 10.-Jenerson
Davis's youngest daughter-who has been
called 1.-THE child of the Confederacy," be-
cause she was born at Richmond while her
father ruled as President o. the Confederate
States-is on a visit to the family of Gen.
"Runy" Lee, who lives few miles outside
of this town. Until last week Hiss Davis
had lived, ever since the war, at her fathers
home, Beauvoir, Hiss, y few days ago she
came to Richmond with her aunt aud after
calling Oh some Of the family friends she set
out for Fairfax county for visit to Gen.
Lee, who Is one OF tle Confederate Presi-
dents closest friends.
Many Alexandriens have gone out to
Ravensworth, Gen. Lees country seat, to
pay their respects to this child Of the Con.
!eaeracy." All speak OF her admiringly.
Miss Davis IS 9 typical Southern beauty
She is just tai! enough to be commanding in
appearance, and has wiiovy, graceful form
which is clad with richness and taste that
are surprising when it is remembered that
this young girl has lived all her life in the re.
tircment ofa country house. Her face is long
and somewhat incliued to leanness. bat its
every lineamcnt bespeaks the patrician. Her
complexion is rich olive, her eyes hazel
and her hair black and curling. Although
still very young, and without society ex-
3erience. she looks like & queen among
women as she stands receiving her callers.
From her conversation IL appears that she
cherishea the same sentiments as her father
in regard to the lost cause" She regards
it as q sacred theme and considers the
Southern people SIS martyrs to Northern
greed and jealousy. That she should i'm
hibe such sentiments is no more than nat
ura!. Ever since the war she has been at
her fathers side, his chief support and con-
ISOLATION. He educated her personally, gave
her his views of life, and fashioned her in
the mould CT the ante-beilum Southern lady.
1t is said by those who know Miss Davis we'll
that She helped her father considerably in
the preparation Of his recent history Of the
war. Her studies from youth had been di-
rectiy in the line OF Southern war records
and political history, so that when it came
10 preparing the work she was valuable
assistant. Her aunt says that the old Con-
iederate leader relied on her almost entirely
in the matter OF collecting nud arranging
statistics Of the war and employed her as
amanuensis most Of the time while prepar-
ing the work. Nothing pleased her so
much as hunting up facts and theo-
ries to defend the South and the policy of
her fathers administration. Her farortc retreat
at home is the big library which consists almost
exclusively OF war records and histories OF the
United States. Here she reads to her father sew
cral hours daily, while the fallen ch,cftain listens
mods and dreams OF the pat. 1t is said that he
fairly dotes on his handsome child-cannot bear
to let her out Of his sight. IT was only after a
long struggle that he consented to her trip to
Richmond and Alexandria, She seems equally
devoted 10 hcr father for she has refused several
advantageous offers of marriage from wealthy
Mississippi planters, III order TO soothe his de-
cllnlng years by her presence.
While Miss Davis is in Virginia she will, it is
said. visit most Of the places Of historic interest
She has already seen the room in the Governors
mansion at Richmond, where she was born and
pored over tho war records at the Capitol Any
thing OF interest connected with tho war has an
all absorbing interest for her. Wherever she
goes she IS received as princess She has re.
celved hundreds of invitations from members of
the IF. r W. hut will of course have to decline
most of them, since her visit is TO be q brief one
1t IS reported that her next visit will he to Con.
Parkc Custis Lees and thence she will visit some
OF the first families along tidcwatcr Virginia
Since the above was put in type we learn from
a member OF General Lees family that Miss Davis
is not ct Ravensworth.