2022-11 Raynors HCA Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/18/2022
LONGSTREET, James (1821-1904). Longstreet was the senior lieutenant-general in the Confederate Army and was given command of the 1st Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia, making him the premier subordinate of the premier army of the Confederacy. Autograph Letter Signed "J. Longstreet" on Southern and Western Insurance Co. letterhead noting James Longstreet, Pres't, 2pp., in pencil, New Orleans, May 18, 1867 to former Colonel William Owen. In small part, "I visited Mr. Wilson when he was here and he spent the next day after my visit to ask as a special favor that I would allow him to use my name at the meeting called for him; which I cheerfully granted. Do not allow yourself to be worried by any plots for they can do us no harm permanently. I am very well satisfied that ... so far from doing any of our people any injury, has brought material advantage to the whole south. ... I am not a politician or office seeker but I think it is my duty to assist the people ... and shall do so with full confidence that they will bring them to appreciation of my efforts. I understand the political situation better than they ..." The letter is presented in a frame with a Longstreet image and plaque. Note, we examined the letter out of the frame and noted the signature to be authentic. In March of 1867, again over Johnson's veto, Congress passed the Reconstruction Act of 1867, which temporarily divided the South into five military districts and outlined how governments based on universal (male) suffrage were to be organized. The law also required southern states to ratify the 14th Amendment, which broadened the definition of citizenship, granting "equal protection" of the Constitution to formerly enslaved people, before they could rejoin the Union. The Congressional effort was led by Senator Henry Wilson. Then In 1867, the New Orleans Times asked several leading citizens to comment on the newly passed Reconstruction Acts. Longstreet suggested that Southerners support the Republicans and the Reconstruction. He was praised in the North, but vilified in the South.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.