She knew everyone and everyone knew her. A wealthy belle; married to prominent legislator; Clement Clay; she became one of Washington; D.C.'s great hostesses.This is as witty; gossipy; fashionable; and gritty a tale of antebellum Washington as you'll ever read. As her biographical researcher stated: "I have come upon no record of any other woman of her time who has filled so powerful a place politically; whose belleship has been so long sustained; or whose magnetism and compelling fascinations have swayed others so universally as have those of Mrs. Clay-Clopton." When the American Civil War came; however; she and her husband transferred their loyalty; services; and her "belleship" to the south. She describes in wonderful detail her life in Washington; the sorrows and privations of the war; and her husband's incarceration after the war during his life-threatening illness. Once the war was over; Virginia Clay was right back in the midst of high society in Washington. She took her plea for her husband's release personally to Secretary of War Stanton; Lieutenant-General Grant; and right into the office of President Andrew Johnson. Old northern friends embraced her warmly and she was astonished to be welcomed back into social circles.
#6728621 in Books 2015-06-04Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 11.00 x 1.07 x 8.50l; 2.23 #File Name: 1514207702474 pages
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