General James Longstreet Letter Archive. ...

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General James Longstreet Letter Archive. James Longstreet was one of the Confederacy's foremost generals and a key corps commander in Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. His son, James Longstreet, Jr., also pursued a military career. He served as a 2nd lieutenant of artillery in the Spanish American war. In the ensuing years, the junior Longstreet rose to the rank of captain. However, with The Army Reorganization Act of 1901, some officer positions were eliminated and the number of officers reduced. The junior Longstreet's career was affected. He received a new appointment as a first lieutenant in the 13th Cavalry on February 2, 1901. This seemed like a demotion, so his famous father pulls every string in an attempt to get his son's rank as captain restored. Includes:
James Longstreet Autograph Letter Signed, Four pp., in pencil, 6.5" x 8.5", Washington, D.C., March 13, 1901, to Secretary of War Elihu Root. Creased from folding with light chipping to the top edge, else good. Copy letter from Longstreet's files, in which he seeks restoration of his son's rank as a captain after his demotion to lieutenant..
Elihu Root Typed Letter Signed, One page, 5.5" x 9", War Department letterhead, Washington, D.C., March 14, 1901. Usual mail folds, else good. Root responds that "I have received you letter of March 13th regarding the appointment of your son...I shall take pleasure in giving your wishes in the matter and Mr. Longstreet's record every consideration."
James Longstreet Typed Letter Signed to President William McKinley, Two pp., 8" x 10.5", Department of the Interior, Office of Commissioner of Railroads letterhead, Washington, D.C., April 27, 1901. Usual mail folds and slight wear to the edges, else good. Calling McKinley "the most beloved Executive that the country has known," he implores the president to restore his son's rank of captain.
Elihu Root Typed Letter Signed, One page, 5.5" x 9", War Department Letterhead, Washington D.C., October 28, 1901. Usual mail folds, else good. Root replies to a Longstreet letter of October 23 "As all of the staff appointments authorized by the act of February 2, 1901, have been made, I regret it will not be possible to give your request in behalf of your son favorable consideration."