New Orleans, La., April 20, 1875
My Dear Colonel:
Upon reading an address by Mr. Pendleton, published in the December number of Southern Magazine, I saw for the first time that Gen. Lee had ordered me to attack the left of the Federal army at 'sunrise', on the second day of the battle of Gettysburg.
It occurs to me that if Gen. Lee had any such idea as an attack at sunrise, you must surely be advised of it. Right sure am I that such an order was never delivered to me, and it is not possible for me to believe that he ever entertained an idea that I was to attack at that hour. My two divisions, nor myself did not reach Gen. Lee until 8 a.m.on the 2nd, and if he had intended to attack at sunrise he surely would have expressed some surprise, or made some allusion to his orders. Please do me the favor to let me know what you know of this sunrise attack....
I remain very respectfully yours,
James Longstreet
Source: From Manassas to Appomattox
Commentary
Longstreet sent the following letter to Walter Taylor, of Lee's staff, asking about the daylight order. He sent similar letters to several other members of Lee's staff that had been present at Gettysburg.