TLS signed “Margaret Mitchell Marsh (Mrs. John R. Marsh),” two pages, 7.5 x 10.5, personal letterhead, February 25, 1941. Letter to Helen Dortch Longstreet, the widow of the famed Confederate general, in part: “I am sorry that you believe I ‘knowingly did irreparable wrong to the military renown of one of the greatest commanders of all time.’ Such was not my intent. It is true that 'Gone With the Wind' contains the line you quoted, 'If Longstreet had obeyed orders at Gettysburg' et cetera. In writing 'Gone With the Wind' I tried to write it from the viewpoint of people living at the time of the War, and not as an author looking backward over seventy years. I included in my book the thoughts and sayings and viewpoints of the people who lived in the troublous Sixties. I read hundreds of letters and documents and memoirs and I recalled innumerable conversations I had heard as a little girl when my elders spoke of those days. As you well know, there were many controversies arising out of the many happenings during the War. General Longstreet's conduct at Gettysburg had both criticism and defense just as the actions of General Johnson and General Hood always brought out fiery argument. The record of nearly every great Confederate leader was the subject of pro and con argument—but you know of these historic things far better than I do. In including the 'if' about General Longstreet, I was quoting from the general conversation of the day in which I wrote. This is shown clearly by the context of my book where the quotation occurs, so clearly there could be no justification for giving any different interpretation to the statement.
In my own family the memory of General Longstreet has always been revered and his high qualities as a soldier have always been appreciated. In fact, one of the family stories which is most popular centers about my grandfather on that great day in Atlanta when Jefferson Davis came to unveil the Ben Hill monument. My grandfather was riding home hastily to gather his family for the parade. He was late and the crowds were already banking the streets. A number of Confederate veterans mistook him for General Longstreet. They raised cheers and, rushing forward, stopped his horse. The crowds took up the cheering and it was some while before my proud but embarrassed grandfather could convince them that he was not their old commander. That incident made a great day even greater for him.” In fine condition.
Longstreet had a mixed legacy throughout the south and was blamed by many for the rebel loss at Gettysburg. His postwar career tarnished his image even further in the prejudiced eyes of southerners as he cooperated with General Grant and later led an African-American militia against anti-Reconstruction rioters. His widow Helen dedicated much of her time to rehabilitating his image, and was clearly striving to protect his legacy when she contacted Mitchell about the general’s portrayal in Gone With the Wind. In response, Mitchell provides simply wonderful content featuring her thoughts on the craft of writing fiction and her own historical research process, and a offers revealing personal anecdote connecting her family to Longstreet himself. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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