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Llewellyn Traherne Bassett Saunderson (1841–1913) CONFEDERATE—Staff officer to General Fitzhugh Lee.

Henry Morton Stanley [né John Rowlands] (1841–1904) CONFEDERATE—and Union “Dixie Grays,” Company E, 6th Arkansas Regiment of Volunteers, Confederate army.

William Watson (1826–?) CONFEDERATE—Scottish businessman living in Louisiana; enlisted in the Confederate army in 1861 with the 3rd Louisiana Infantry; author of Life in the Confederate Army.

Ebenezer Wells UNION—Wagon master, 79th New York Highlanders.

Stephen Winthrop (1839–79) CONFEDERATE—Staff officer to General Alexander.

Sir Percy Wyndham (1833–79) UNION—Colonel of 1st New Jersey Cavaliers.

Map.1 The United States of America and the Confederate States of America

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Map.2 Virginia and the Washington area

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Map.3 Mississippi River to Virginia

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Map.4 The Carolinas

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Prologue

Farewell to Lord Napier—Lord Lyons puzzles Washington society—Rocky relations between Britain and America

Washington society adored the Napiers. From the moment they had arrived at the British legation in 1857, Lord Napier was hailed as the friendliest and most sensible diplomat ever to set foot in the capital. For her part, Lady Napier soon won her own following as a hostess of unparalleled warmth and grace. “Her cozy at-homes were remarkable for their informality,” recalled a Southerner after the war. Their presence was considered essential at any fashionable gathering. The legation was neutral territory and “one met there the talented and distinguished; heard good music, listened to the flow of wholesome wit; and enjoyed delectable repasts.… A feeling of universal regret spread over the capital when it became known that the Napiers were to return to England.”1

Senator William Henry Seward of New York, Lord Napier’s closest friend in Washington and the heir apparent to the Republican leadership, invited a small group of senators to join him in organizing a farewell ball. The committee had hoped to control the number of guests by charging $10 per person,pr.1 but the heady combination of popularity and power resulted in no fewer than 1,800 subscriptions for the gala. Only one venue other than the White House could accommodate so large a gathering: Willard’s Hotel on the corner of E and Fourteenth streets. The New York Times joked that a ticket to the Napier ball was harder to come by than a front row seat at the current Broadway hit comedy Our American Cousin by the British playwright Tom Taylor.2

On February 17, 1859, the grand ballroom at Willard’s was specially decorated with an Anglo-American theme. Flags and mirrors lined the walls, and two large portraits, one of George Washington, the other of Queen Victoria, hung majestically from the ceiling. A representation of Saint George and the Dragon, made of sand, covered the floor. It was, however, the lavish banquet that created the most excitement. The chef had fashioned the Napiers’ coat of arms out of spun sugar, as well as “dolphins in a sea of rock candy, and ices in every form, from a pair of turtle doves to a pillared temple.”3

The Napiers made their appearance at 9:45 P.M. to the strains of “God Save the Queen” and were greeted with loud cheers and applause. Their evening dress was decidedly old-fashioned according to American tastes. Boldly resisting the trend among men for black evening attire, Lord Napier wore a royal blue jacket over a white waistcoat. Lady Napier’s dress was also characteristically idiosyncratic: rather than trying to compete with her wealthy friends, she had chosen to wear a white silk gown decorated with tulle and edged in black lace. “You did not hear ladies say of her, as of so many others: ‘What a splendid dress—how much did it cost!’ ” commented the New York Times reporter. “When will women learn that to beauty and perfection of attire, cost is but a small essential?” The gallant journalist