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James Longstreet Correspondence

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-1993-003

Scope and Content

The James Longstreet Correspondence consists of eight post-American Civil War letter written to the former Confederate lieutenant general by his children: Fitz Randolph Longstreet (one letter), John Garland Longstreet (one letter), Mary Louise "Lula" Longstreet Whelchel (three letters), and Robert Lee Longstreet (three letters). The collection also contains letters from Masie Johnston Sanders (regarding the purchase of some of Longstreet's furniture), Richard B. Shepard (requesting an autographed copy of Longstreet's book), U. Stamps (regarding a mansion on U Street, Georgetown), and C. Herbert Walling (requesting an autograph). The collection also includes an account statement from J. B. Lippincott Co., publishers of Longstreet's From Manassas to Appomattox.

Dates

  • 1897 - 1903

Creator

Language of Materials

The materials in the collection are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Biographical Note

James Longstreet, son of James and Mary Ann Dent Longstreet, was born in Edgefield District, South Carolina, on January 8, 1821. An 1842 graduate of the United States Military Academy, Longstreet was commissioned a brevet second lieutenant. During service in the Mexican-American War, he was promoted to first lieutenant, then breveted a captain and, finally, a major, before being wounded in the Battle of Capultepec. Still recuperating at the war's end, Longstreet married Louise Garland (1827-1889) on March 8, 1848; the couple would have 10 children (three of whom would die during an 1862 scarlet fever epidemic). Longstreet returned to active peacetime service in the army, then resigned his commission at the outbreak of the American Civil War. He joined the Confederate Army as a lieutenant colonel but by June 22, 1861 had been named a brigadier general. On October 7, he was promoted to major general and assumed command of a division within the Army of Northern Virginia. He served in the war's eastern theater and became a chief subordinate of Robert E. Lee, commander of the Army of Northern Virginia. Following the Confederate loss at Gettysburg, and at his own request, Longstreet was transferred to the war's western theater. Longstreet returned with his forces to the Army of Northern Virginia in February, 1864. He was seriously wounded at the Battle of the Wilderness three months later but returned to serve during the final months of the war. Following the war, Longstreet, a Republican, served in various roles within the federal government. His cooperation with former enemies and his criticisms of Lee's wartime performance led to Longstreet's loss of popularity among southerners. He published his memoirs, From Manassas to Appomattox in 1896. In 1897, he married Helen Dortch (1863-1962), a social advocate, librarian, and newspaper woman. James Longstreet died in Gainesville, Georgia, on January 2, 1904, and was buried in Alta Vista Cemetery, Gainesville.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)

Abstract

Twelve post-American Civil War letters written to former Confederate Lieutenant General James Longstreet (1821-1904) by his children: Fitz Randolph Longstreet, John Garland Longstreet, Mary Louise "Lula" Longstreet Whelchel, and Robert Lee Longstreet; as well as Masie Johnston Sanders, Richard B. Shepard, U. Stamps, and C. Herbert Walling.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The James Longstreet Correspondence was acquired by Special Collections and University Archives prior to 1994.

Existence and Location of Copies

This collection has been digitized and is available online.

Related Archival Materials

VT Special Collections and University Archives also maintains the John W. Fairfax Letters, Ms2009-025, which contains letters to Longstreet from Fairfax.

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the James Longstreet Correspondence by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).

Processing Information

The processing and description of the James Longstreet Correspondence commenced and was completed in October, 2023.

Title
James Longstreet Correspondence, 1897-1903
Status
Completed
Author
John M. Jackson
Date
2023 (CC0 1.0)
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Revision Statements

  • 2020-09-21: Finding aid notes updated to new department standards. juliags
  • 2021-05-05: LM Rozema added missing notes for an unprocessed collection (abstract, source, processing, bio note), added FA title, added FA date from EAD, and added component with instances previously attached to collection level.

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository

Contact:
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308