[Col. Charles Booth Brackenbury, R.A., military historian and Times correspondent.] Autograph Letter Signed to his editor J. T. Delane, on writing and reviewing after the Franco-Prussian war, with claim to have ‘started the Intelligence Department’.

An excellent letter, casting light on the relationship between the editor of The Times and a senior correspondent. See the two men’s entries in the Oxford DNB. Brackenbury’s states that ‘During the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 Brackenbury was the Times correspondent with the Austrian army, and was at the battle of Königgrätz (Sadowa) — riding with Benedek under fire at Chlum — and reported the naval battle of Lissa. He was the Times correspondent in the Franco-Prussian War, accompanying Prince Frederick Charles in the Le Mans campaign; and in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877, when he crossed the Balkans with Count Gourko.’ 4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In very good condition, folded twice. Thin strip from windowpane mount adhering to edges in not unpleasing way. Signed ‘C. B. Brackenbury’ and addressed to ‘My dear Delane’. The letter begins: ‘Captain Clarke brought me today the last number of his translation of the German War of 1870-71. He is sending you a copy and I hope you will find some one to review it in my place.’ Brackenbury has himself translated ‘the Report of the Committee on French Army re organization, together with the law as proposed and passed’, which the War Office is publishing. ‘You shall have the first copy issued which I will mark myself.’ In his opinion a great deal of the report ‘bears upon much more than French re-organization’. He will be very glad if Delane finds it ‘worth a notice’. He continues: ‘Though I may not write more on military affairs I don’t see why I should not review other books if you can find any for me. Even if you have no space for them at present the reviews might stand over till the interest of the new parliament is over.’ It seems to him ‘unnatural to have no work in hand for you’. The postscript reads: ‘They say that my review of Clarke’s first number started the Intelligence Department.’