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LAWRENCE, GEORGE ALFRED : BORDER AND BASTILLE [by Famed British Writer Who Left England to Fight in the American Civil War for the Confederacy] WITH MANUSCRIPT HOLOGRAPH LETTER TO GENERAL HOWARD

Tinsley Brothers, London, 1863

8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. On offer interesting book with lots of intrigue and special atributes. Titled "Border and Bastille" it is written by the English journalist/author George Alfred Lawrence and it is the story of his life from the time he left England and attempted to join the Confederate Army because he sympathized with the Southern cause and wished to experience and write about the War. He appears to have spent more time as a prisoner than on the battlefield as he was captured quite soon upon arrival in America [further biographical notes follow]. Many references to Baltimore and Maryland. The book was printed in London and is dated 1863. Of particular interest of this book is that there is a 4 page handwritten letter tipped into the back of the book and this letter is written by the author himself, George Lawrence. It is addressed to General Howard and is dated October 11th, 1863. Of further interest on the inside cover one will find a handwritten script that says, "See pages for notice of Baltimore people" and under that is the list of pages. When you turn to those pages you’ll also find handwritten notes. Also on the first page in is another handwritten note that says, "Genl Howard, with the author’s kindest remembrances, October 15th, 1863". Biographical Notes: Mr. Lawrence was born on March 25th, 1827 in Buxted Sussex. He was educated at Rugby and Oxford where he took his B.A. in 1850. In 1851 he was married to Mary Kirwan and in 1852 was admitted to the bar. On the outbreak of the American Civil War Mr. Lawrence arrived in New York early in 1863 with the intention of joining the Confederate Army to observe the conditions there.This British author managed to get himself arrested while trying to smuggle himself into the Confederacy by trying to cross at various points on the Potomac. He was arrested west of Harper’s Ferry and was taken to Wheeling, thence to Washington and then to the Carroll Prison until the British government secured his release upon his promise to leave the country. He looked upon the South with great friendship and came to detest the North. He traveled much in later years and died in Edinburgh in September of 1876. As far as the notes written on the varioius pages, they are as follows: 1) Page 46: “Mr. W. Young”; 2) Page 53: “Mary Dulany afterwards married G.S. Howard N. York; 3) Page 55: “B.C. Howard, Grandfather of the present S.C. Howard, 1880 (?); 4) Page 59: “W.W. Glenn”; 5) Page 79: “Col Charles Caroll”; 6) Page 158: “Lilly Dulany who married Mr. Cushing of Boston”; 7) Page 159: “918 (or 118) N. Charles St. General B.C. Howards, whilst taking supper with the family Mr. Lawrence was never out of sight of his guard, and gave his word of honor not to try to escape. 8) It list also page 56 but we couldn't find any notes written on that page. Here is a transcription of the letter as best we can make out as the handwriting isn’t the easiest to read: "Mr. Lawrence with his work, October 11, 1863; Rejent St. W.; My Dear Sir; I am I may presume on you friendship so far as to introduce to you the bearer of this note, Capt Harris (?) of my brother’s regiment. I am sure you will not be both_____to show him any kindness in your honor for our old acquaintance sake. I have asked him to give you a copy of my last book. It is the only chance of conveying one safely to you. Even letters seem to miscarry strangley. You see it is already in the third edition here. ____it is more carelessly written than can be conceived. But my head was then (and is still) too weak to allow if any real execution. _____ ______ of the miserable reprencey of our government. I wish you would believe that the sympathy (sympathic?) took the C.S. _______in the upper classes here, is no more abated than my own. I scarcely think Russell will be blamed now with altering his course indeed. It is too late to be of real _____ now, too late to abate the _______against England which prevails so righteously in the South. A change of administration would do so much if not all that is wanting but when that may come is more than uncertain. I hope that you are on a more securely re-established in ____winter quarters. Tho I fear Baltimore cannot be a pleasant residence now for you or yours. I don’t like to trouble you to much but I shall be very glad to hear from Mr. (or Wm) Howard or any other member of your family. Remember me very truly, George A. Lawrence. The book’s cover is in bad shape with some water damage and torn edges and there is a cracked inner hinge but interior is otherwise good. The book measures about 5 ½ x 9 in. and the binding is good and the pages look good also. The letter in the back is partially torn on the seam and also has water stains but the writing can easily be made out (other then his difficult script. Quite the interesting piece of Civil War and English history.. Book Condition: Good. Binding: Cloth

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