Norfolk, VA., April 28, 1875
Dear General: I have received your letter of the 20th instant. I have not read the article of which you speak, nor have I ever seen any copy of General Pendleton's address; indeed, I have read little or nothing of what has been written since the war. In the first place, because I could not spare the time; and in the second, of those of whose writings I have heard I deem but very few entitled to any attention whatever. I can only say that I never before heard of 'the sunrise attack' you were to have made as charged by General Pendleton. If such an order was given you I never knew of it, or it has strangely escaped my memory. I think it more than probable that if General Lee had had your troops available the evening previous to the day of which you speak, he would have ordered an early attack, but this does not touch the point at issue. I regard it as a great mistake on the part of those who, perhaps, because of political differences, now undertake to criticize and attack your war record. Such conduct is most ungenerous, and I am sure meets the disapprobation of all good Confederates with whom I have had the pleasure of associating in the daily walks of life.
Yours very respectfully,
W.H. Taylor.
Source: From Manassas to Appomattox
Commentary
Seeking support against Jubal Early's charge that Longstreet had disobeyed orders from General Lee in not attacking at Sunrise on July 2nd at Gettysburg, Longstreet dispatched a letter to several of Lee's former staff officers seeking information about the supposed order. Letters like this one from Walter Taylor were the typical reply.