[CIVIL WAR] Three intriguing letters on the Confederate war effort. SLIDELL, John (1793-1871), Diplomat, C. S. A. ALS ("John Slidell") to Earl of Shaftesbury, Paris, 3 October 1862. 4 pp., 8vo. CONFEDERATE HOPES FOR FRENCH RECOGNITION AFTER ANTIETAM A rare Confederate diplomatic letter to an influential English peer, just after Anitetam. "I learned from a gentleman...that the two governments [Britain and France] were now considering our question & that our recognition would very possibly soon be announced..." Trying to put the best face on Antietam, Slidell says: "The advance of Lee in force across the Potomac had a double object, one political which has only partially succeeded, an uprising in Maryland...The losses of Lee in his several battles with McLelland [sic] are by the admissions of the Northern press, less than those of the enemy...I mention these facts as I fear an attempt will be made to use Lee's withdrawal from Maryland as a reason or a pretext for further delaying recognition." -- SMITH, Edmund Kirby (1824-1893), General, C. S. A. ALS ("E. Kirby Smith") TO MAJ. GEN. STERLING PRICE, Head Quarters, Trans Miss. Dept., Shreveport, 11 August 1864. 1 p., 4to, inlaid. RETURNING COURT-MARTIALED OFFICERS TO THE SERVICE. "I authorize you to return to duty the Colonels in Marmaduke's Brigade who were reduced by court martial, after you cross the Arkansas River." Smith took control of the Trans-Mississippi theatre in February 1863. He fought on for two months after Appomattox. War-date letters of Kirby Smith are rare. -- SHEPLEY, G. F. (1819-1878), Gen., U.S. Army. ALS ("G. F. Shepley"), Norfolk, Va., 13 October 1864. 2 pp., 4to, stationery of Head Quarters District of Eastern Virginia. RUNNING WADE HAMPTON'S SPIES TO GROUND. Shepley reports hearing the "day before yesterday that Wade Hampton was obtaining information with a view to making a raid on Portsmouth," and Shepley believes he has captured the spies providing Hampton his information. He asks whether he should send the prisoners up to General Butler for examination. Together 3 items. (3)