[12] The Life of Maury by Diana Fontaine Maury Corbin, pp. 147, 148.
[13] Ibid., pp. 149–154. Maury’s children were Betty, Diana Fontaine, Richard Launcelot, John Herndon, Mary, Eliza, Matthew Fontaine, Jr., and Lucy.
[14] Maury had some connection with the reconstruction of this vessel. In a lecture on “Man’s Power-giving Knowledge”, delivered by him to Virginia Military Institute students on January 23, 1871, he said, “After the burning of the Norfolk Navy Yard in 1861, the Governor’s Council advised that the Merrimac should be raised and converted into an ironclad. Quick to perceive and prompt to act, as in the emergencies of the war he ever was, his Excellency caused it to be done”. This is corroborated by the following entry in the minutes of the Council for May 11, 1861, for a meeting at which Maury was present: “Governor submitted for approval a proposal of B. and I. Baker of Norfolk to raise the wreck of the steamer Merrimac and deliver her in the Dry Dock at Gosport Navy Yard for $5000.... Advised unanimously that the proposed be accepted”.
[15] “The Lost Cause” by Edward A. Pollard, p. 192.
[16] “Recollections of a Rebel Reefer”, p. 100.
[17] “History of the United States from the Compromise of 1850” by James Ford Rhodes, IV, 339.
[18] “The Secret Service of the Confederate States in Europe”, James D. Bulloch, II, 62–63.
[19] Of this son Maury wrote in the family Bible: “Our noble son, John Herndon, went out from Vicksburg, Miss., alive, on the 27th day of January, 1863, to reconnoiter the enemy. A few hours afterwards his horse was seen without a rider, but nothing was ever heard of him. From the footprints and other signs and marks on the levee, it is supposed that he was surprised by a scouting-party of the enemy in ambush within our lines and done to death. Comely in person, lovely in disposition, generous and brave, he loved right and hated wrong. Precious in the eyes of his parents, he was very dear to our hearts”.
[20] “The Secret Service of the Confederate States in Europe” by James D. Bulloch, II, 415.
[21] “Maximilian in Mexico” by Sara Y. Stevenson, p. 174.