"A MILESTONE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE IN CONFEDERATE LITERATURE": LONGSTREET’S FROM MANASSAS TO APPOMATTOX, 1896, RARE IN PUBLISHER'S DELUXE BINDING

LONGSTREET, James. From Manassas to Appomattox: Memoirs of the Civil War in America. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1896. Thick octavo, original three-quarter brown morocco, marbled edges. $6800.

First edition of Longstreet's important Civil War history, with frontispiece portrait, 15 maps and 30 illustrations of battle sites and portraits, an especially handsome copy in publisher's deluxe three-quarter morocco binding with Longstreet’s portrait stamped in gilt on the front board.

Longstreet was one of the most distinguished officers in the Confederate army. He commanded under Lee, who affectionately "called him 'my old War Horse' and 'the Staff of my right hand.' Contrary to myth, Longstreet, not Stonewall Jackson, was Lee's intimate confidant, close friend and principal military adviser" (ANB). "Longstreet's tome is a milestone of great importance in Confederate literature. It tells the story of the war in the first person from one of the great generals of American history, allows him to make his case, and at least on some accounts quiets the armchair strategists who have faulted Longstreet too severely. In the main, Longstreet is correct with most of his assertions…[and] here provides ample documentation of his close relationships with Lee" (Eicher 277). "Longstreet's reminiscences are basic to any study of the Army of Northern Virginia" (In Tall Cotton 114). "Published in December 1895 (bearing the date 1896)" (Piston, Lee's Tarnished Lieutenant, 154). Issued along with a signed limited edition (250 copies), no priority established. Without half title. This copy with 15 maps instead of 16: bound without map titled "Position of Confederate First Corps, Gettysburg Third Day." Containing map titled "Battle of Sharpsburg" at page 242 instead of page 246 as in Contents listing, no priority. Dornbusch II:2977. Eicher 277. Wright 664. In Tall Cotton 114. Nevins I:122. Howes L451. Gift inscription.

Interior fine; light expert restoration to original morocco. A handsome near-fine copy.