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James Longstreet (1821-1904), Confederate Genera James Longstreet (1821-1904), Confederate General,

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:800.00 - 1,200.00 USD
James Longstreet (1821-1904), Confederate Genera James Longstreet (1821-1904), Confederate General,
<B>James Longstreet (1821-1904), Confederate General, Autograph Letter Signed,</B></I> "<I>James Longstreet</B></I>", two pages, 8" x 10", Gainesville, Georgia, September 28, 1894 to Gettysburg Union General Daniel Sickles inquiring about publishing houses for his book <I>From Manassas to Appomattox: Mmemoirs of the Civil War in America.</B></I> At the suggestion of his son, Longstreet writes Sickles informing him that: "<I>My M[anu]s[cript] is ready and has been except the final review, but friends have advised me not to publish until business affairs are more settled. Some have written that the Publishing companies are not in condition to put out an important work. It has just occurred to me that you may be better prepared to inform me of such matters. I have thought of Longman, Green & Co of New York, and Houghton Mifflin & Co of Boston. The work may be expensive in getting maps and photographs, but it will be better, in the end, to have it complete. I have some confidence, that you will be satisfied with my Gettysburg, for I have tried to make a finish of it, and I think make it clear that it was your move that saved the field...</B></I>" An incredible letter to a former adversary. Longstreet faced Sickles on the second day of Gettysburg. Sickles had moved his III Corps forward (without orders) to a more advantageous position. Longstreet's corps slammed directly in Sickles' position. The fighting that ensued at Devil's Den, the Wheatfield, Little Round Top and the Peach Orchard virtually destroyed Sickles' corps. Sickles' leg was shattered by a cannonball and was amputated. Longstreet's men were eventually pushed back after the heroic Union defense of Little Round Top. Longstreet would publish his book two years after this letter was written; J. B. Lippincott of Philadelphia handled the work. Usual folds, light chipping at right margin, else fine condition. A fun association piece showing the accessibility of former enemies to one another in advancing years. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.