Nicholasville, Kentucky, January 22, 1904.
Mrs. James Longstreet,
Washington, D. C.:
Dear Madam,—Personally, I am an entire stranger to you, but I have long been interested in the story of your brave husband, and especially in that part bearing on the battle of Gettysburg. I am a Canadian by birth, though a naturalized American citizen, and pastor of the Christian Church in this place. I had no interest in the matter at issue save to know the truth and give honor where honor is justly due. I had read General Gordon’s strictures, and was anxious to see what could be said in reply. After reading your article in the Courier Journal with great care, I want to say that General Gordon is completely and fully answered and his statements of fact absolutely refuted.
The man who would find the Rev. Mr. Pendleton after the facts you have covered him with, would need a divining rod or a diving-bell. He is disposed of forever.
Your illustrious husband belonged to the class of Southern men which I have always honored and venerated. With him the war was over and the great heart which never knew fear had in it nothing but kindness for all that was American. I feel that I have suffered a great loss in not knowing him personally. I drop a tear of sympathy with you in his memory. I think the following lines on “Gettysburg” most fitting now:
“The brave went down without disgrace,
They leaped to ruin’s red embrace;
They never heard Fame’s thunders wake
Nor saw the dazzling sunburst break
In smiles on Glory’s bloody face.”
“Fold up the banners, melt the guns,
Love rules, a gentler purpose runs;
A grateful mother turns in tears,
The pages of the battle years;
Lamenting all her fallen sons.”
Please accept my thanks for the white light which your splendid, your unanswerable, letter casts on the whole question, and try to realize that I am only one of thousands who are equally indebted and correspondingly grateful.
With greatest respect,
Yours most sincerely,
James Vernon.
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