My Dearest Louise
New Orleans, La
July 26, 1871
Your interesting letter from Wytheville is just received. I am glad to know that you are at your journey’s end and tolerably comfortably located.
The after-noon of the day that you left we had a severe rain storm which cooled us off pretty well for this region, and refreshing winds and rains have been pretty constant? So that we have had pleasant weather now and have had for a week.
We have not had a word from Garland yet, though, letters have been written to try and get him to let us know where and how he is. ? will be glad to hear from you also. She was anxiously inquiring this morning as to how long it would be before I would have a letter. Who should come in just as I was sitting down to dinner the day that you left but Octavia. And, she was much disappointed at loosing the opportunity to visit Va again.
I hope that you will try and ? a good cook and bring with you. One that can make bread which is the most important article. I mean, of course, bread food in all ways.
It is not possible to say yet whether I shall be able to get off this fall. Though I hope to do so in Sept. if your health returns by that time. Mary's mother wishes to send messages of love on and to say that all was well. George and I are very ? getting along and send love to you and the little boys. Tell Lee and Jinn that I hope they will show the Va boys what good boys we have down in New Orleans.
Very affectionately yours,
James Longstreet
Mrs. James Longstreet
Wytheville Va
Source: Longstreet Society of Gainesville
Commentary
Longstreet sent the following letter to his wife Louise in 1871. Because of his difficulties in writing, some of the words in the text of this letter were illegible to those who found it. Missing words are indicated with a question mark (?).
While there is nothing particularly remarkable about this letter, it is an important piece of Longstreet history. We know very little about James, the person. Longstreet the soldier is relatively a simple subject. The evidence as to his nature and accomplishments are there to find for anyone who chooses to look. However, unlike other, more famous war personalities such as Lee, Jackson, Grant, etc., barely a shred of evidence exists to tell us what Longstreet was like in his personal life. This loving letter to his wife is a shred of that evidence.
Thanks to the Longstreet Society of Gainesville, GA and to Maria Lagonia, who did all the transcription work, for furnishing the text of this letter.