Mourning ribbon for Jefferson Davis, December 1889. "Our Chieftain," issued by the Confederate Veterans' Association of the Army of Tennessee, Louisiana Division, with portrait of Davis on watered silk ribbon. Approx. 3 x 7.25 in. Near perfect condition.

[With:]

FRENCH, S[amuel] G[ibbs]. ALS, Winter Park, FL. June 30, 1884. To General M.J. Wright, noting that Volume 10, both the first and second parts, of the first series (of the Official Records) were sent to him, although not accompanied by a letter or receipt. 

Samuel Gibbs French (1818-1910), USMA 1843, served garrison duty and in the Mexican War after graduation, resigning in 1856. He took over a plantation near Vicksburg, and when Mississippi seceded, he was named Chief of Ordnance and commissioned a Major in the Confederate army. Before the year was out, he was promoted to Brigadier General and given a field command. In July of 1862 he took command of the Dept. of So. VA and North Carolina and promoted to Major General. After the Vicksburg Campaign, he led his division in the Atlanta Campaign and Franklin and Nashville Campaign.