Head-Quarters Armies of the United States
Washington, D.C., November 7, 1865.
His Excellency, A. Johnson,
President:
Knowing that General Longstreet, late of the army which was in rebellion against the authority of the United States, is in the city, and presuming that he intends asking executive clemency before leaving, I beg to say a word in his favor.
General Longstreet comes under the third, fifth, and eighth exceptions made in your proclamation of the 29th of May, 1865. I believe I can safely say that there is nowhere among the exceptions a more honorable class of men than those embraced in the fifth and eighth of these, nor a class that will more faithfully observe any obligation which they may impose upon themselves. General Longstreet, in my opinion, stands high among this class. I have known him well for more than twenty-six years, first as cadet at West Point and afterwards as an officer of the army. For five years after my graduation we served together, a portion of the time in the same regiment. I speak of him, therefore, from actual personal acquaintance.
In the late rebellion, I think, not one single charge was ever brought against General Longstreet for persecution of prisoners of war or of persons for their political opinions. If such charges were ever made, I never heard them. I have no hesitation, therefore, in recommending General Longstreet to your Excellency for pardon. I will further state that my opinion of him is such that I shall feel it as a personal favor to myself if this pardon is granted.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
U.S. Grant,
Lieutenant-General
Source: From Manassas to Appomattox
Commentary
The following is a letter sent to President Johnson by General Grant recommending pardon for General Longstreet. Grant and Longstreet had been friend at West Point and were related by marriage.