Major General 1st Virginia Cavalry who fought at Chancellorsville and Spotsylvania, Governor of Virginia, and Robert E. Lee’s nephew. ALS, three lightly lined pages both sides on adjoinging sheets, 7.75 x 9.75, May 19, 1870. Letter to General George Pickett concerning one of the last battles of the Civil War - Five Forks. In full, “General, a few minutes since a friend kindly sent me a copy of your report covering the operations of ‘Five Forks’ and its vicinity…Ever since its inception I have been intending to communicate with you with regard to a reference to myself I find it contains…I take exception to your intimation that your orders to reinforce your left was not obeyed by me and, and to your statement, that you ‘did not see Gen. Fitz Lee after the fight began.’ Which statement is calculated to produce a false impression…From our previous personal relations I am lead to infer that you wrote which you did from a misapprehension of all the facts in the case. They are…supplied to you. By Gen. Lee’s order I was then in command of the Car: Corps. Of his army. In your position at Five Forks one of my divisions (W.H.F. Lee’s) was on your right - another (my old one) on your left - no regiments in line - the remainder retired - to give me and horses rest - that division having come from the…side of the…and, having been actively employed for many days and nights preceding . The remaining Div. (Rosser's) was in reserve behind your line of battle, a river or creek intervening. During the quick that at first succeeded after our position was established. I was from the front back to the rear some 3³4 miles to my Hdqr wagon (which had first gotten up) to change my clothes - an opportunity to do so not having been offered for a long time. You may recall that on the way I stopped at your tent, and had some little talk with you about the position…It was then a report reached me that a force of the enemy was moving to our left. I immediately went to Gen. Mumford commanding the Div. To go over and ascertain the truth of the report and if necessary move the remainder of his command up to the line. His report will bear that they were in position in time to receive the attack. All of which was done in compliance with an order from you to reinforce the left. Additional orders to that effect I know nothing about. While in the act of changing my clothes. I heard the firing begin - Hastily dressing I rode rapidly towards the front. Some distance in my advance I saw you also galloping to your line of battle. You first succeeded in crossing the pond and joining your troops. When I arrived the enemy having broken in our left had occupied it. I immediately moved Rosser up and we attacked them - but so larger was their infantry force at that point - it was impossible to force a passage. For the next two hours, we now kept busy repulsing their attacks and their threatened advance to the R.R. The absence of Rosser , myself and his 2 brigades from the main fight on the other side of the creek is thus accounted for. A large pack of the Federal Infantry after participating in the first crushing in of the left - did not continue to attack that direction, but advanced in the end your tent was pitched on , until checked by Rosser and myself - his being the only force between them and our wagon- The mistake made at ‘Five Forks’ was in not taking up a line of battle behind the creek…of in front of it, but which I have understood since) - is not to be attributed to you but to the order you rec’d designating your position. But one unit could ensue - after we were attacked in that position by such a fierce…at (I have heard), 2 Corps. Infantry and their Cavalry consisted of 6 small brigades (3 div’s?) say 3200 men - I don’t know your force. I have to request Gen. That in view of additional facts I present (and which you could not have known of at the time of your writing) you will have your report of these relations in the hands of Gen. Lee, changed as far as the…I have referred to are concerned, and also in any…of that expect that you may know to be extant. And which is the object of this communication. It will be handled to you by Mr.…formerly my A.D.C. and your answer will reach me directed to his house no 110 ninth Fourth.” In fine condition, with expected mailing folds and a light overall shade of toning to each page, a bit heavier in the folds. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
