Abstract:
Reprint of letters written by Congressman Lawrence O'Bryan Branch mostly to his wife Nancy Hayward Branch (nee Blount) shed light on his personality, family relations, congressional career, and accounts of social life in Washington, DC. An account of President Buchanan's visit to North Carolina in 1859 and on sectionalist political issues being faced by the Union are also included. Newsome's introduction includes biographical information and details of Branch's death at Antietam as well as background information on the state of political issues leading up to the time of Branch's writing.