Archive Record

Metadata

Accession number

1995.011

Catalog Number

1995.011

Collection

Pearce Civil War Collection

Object Name

Letter

Title

Longstreet (James) Papers, 1862-1863

Creator

Longstreet, James

Date

October 9, 1862

Dates of Creation

October 9, 1862

Scope & Content

Two letters (1862-1863; 4 pages) document the military career of James Longstreet. The first letter (October 9, 1862; 2 pages) was written to General Louis Trezevant Wigfall of Texas. The letter, written to inform Wigfall of the safe arrival of his son, also documents the reluctance of Union forces to cross the Potomac in pursuit of Lee's forces: "He is still on the otherside of the Potomac and has shown no particular desire to cross. His forces are said to have increased greatly thought most if not all of his re-enforcements must be fresh." The second letter (April 7, 1863; 2 pages) is written to Major General Arnold Elzey and asks him to advise General Henry Alexander Wise to "not pass Yorktown any considerable distance with his entire force unless he finds that he will be doing so to draw out the Force at Yorktown." The letter also notes: "The enemy likes to be deceived, or rather to have good excuses for reverses. People who play tricks are always the easiest tricked." At the bottom of the letter, Elzey has written a brief note to Wise: "Brig. Genl. Wise, I send this note from Lt. Genl. Longstreet by which you will please be governed."

Finding Aids

Available in the archives or online at www.pearcecollections.us

People

Longstreet, James
Elzey, Arnold
Wise, Henry Alexander
Wigfall, Louis Trezevant

Search Terms

Yorktown

Credit line