Corsicana, Texas, January 8, 1904.
Mrs. James Longstreet,
Gainesville, Georgia:
Madam,—Your noble defence of your great husband places beyond cavil or controversy the fame of an illustrious career.
Yesterday, as I finished reading it, the bent form of one who had followed him everywhere, “amid the fiery pang of shells,” passed, and I called him and read him the charge. “Liars! Liars!” and the light of battle passed once more into his eyes as he defended General Longstreet. Then I read him your letter, and then he cried.
You will pardon me for this intrusion on your sorrow. My father was a cavalry officer in the volunteers in Scott’s campaign in Mexico. He there formed the acquaintance of General Longstreet, and none denounced with more bitterness the statement of Pendleton.
With a sincere wish for your future happiness,
I am most respectfully,
J. C. Gaither.
*****
“He was too big a man for his day.”
New Orleans, Louisiana, January 4, 1904.
Mrs. General James Longstreet,
Gainesville, Georgia: