2022 FALL PREMIER AUCTION

This extraordinary document bears the signatures of three of the Confederacy’s greatest commanders: Generals James Longstreet, Richard H. Anderson, and William Mahone. Longstreet. James Longstreet was Robert E. Lee’s most trusted subordinate who he reverently called his “Old War Horse.” Longstreet fought in all the major battles in the Eastern Theater where he earned a reputation as one of the South’s great military minds. Richard H. Anderson held numerous high commands in the Army of Northern Virginia and led his troops valiantly in the Battle of Gettysburg and Spotsylvania Court House. William Mahone was a pre-war railroad executive who would go on to lead the counterattack that beat the Union Army in the Battle of the Crater in 1864. The document that brings together all these top generals is a request for a court martial sentencing date for a Private Jehu Shiveley who deserted the 6th Virginia Regiment in June of 1862. The letter was written by Colonel George Thomas Roberts, commander of the 6th Virginia. The letter was then passed up the chain of command to his superior, General William Mahone, brigade commander. Mahone added his signature and forwarded it to General Richard H. Anderson, division commander, who signed it and sent it to James Longstreet, Lieutenant General Commanding 1st Corps. Longstreet signed the letter and submitted it to his commander, General Robert E. Lee. The document shows the great wear expected on a letter passed up the chain of command during wartime. The signatures are in black fountain pen which has faded over the decades to a warm sepia. A great piece of Civil War history that documents improbable journey of something as insignificant as the court martial of a private passed up the chain of command through the army’s top commanders all the way to Robert E. Lee. The piece comes with a Beckett LOA.