Confederate artillerist (1837–1897) directly responsible for the bombardment that preceded Pickett’s Charge. TLS, one page, 8.25 x 11, Norfolk and Western Railroad Co. letterhead, April 28, 1896. Letter to General Fitzhugh Lee. In part: “I have all the authorities you refer to, and have noted them just as carefully as I did that the battle of Gettysburg, as far as I know, which was the 2nd and 3rd day, was the most disjointed I was ever in. I do not know what time it was when I walked to our right and returned with Genl. Lee and when he told me that Hood’s Division would not remain in line of battle on our front during the attack that it would be made by us in the center, but my impression is that it was about an hour and a half or two hours before the attack commenced, by the opening of the artillery fire. There was nothing said, as far as I heard, about hurrying Longstreet up, but rather that the attack was determined upon and was so announced. But why it was not made in greater force was a mystery to me then, and I felt that a great mistake had and must have been made by somebody, and that such was the case has to my mind been abundantly demonstrated since. It was just another case of Longstreet’s failure, just as he did frequently—notably at Seven Pines, where he did nothing and claimed everything, in which he was backed up by Genl. Johnston, who should have known, and I will always think did know, better when he wrote his report.” In fine condition, with intersecting folds (one vertical fold passing through a single letter of the signature). Accompanied by the original mailing envelope. Longstreet was held as one of the main scapegoats for the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg—common opinion was that he failed to attack as strongly as General Lee intended on July 2, just as Huger recalls in this letter, and Pickett’s Charge occurred under Longstreet’s command the following day. An exceptional letter with content about both Gettysburg and Longstreet, whose legacy remains one of the most controversial of the war. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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