Description:

James Longstreet
Head Quarters [near Knoxville, TN], November 20, 1863
Gen. Longstreet Orders Jos. Wheeler to "open your batteries... and advance your line of skirmishers"
ADS

James Longstreet autograph document signed in pencil. One page, 4.875" x 7.625"; Headquarters [outside of Knoxville, TN]; November 20, 1863. Lieutenant General Longstreet orders Joseph Wheeler to support General Jenkins as he initiates coordinated pressure on Union forces during the Siege of Knoxville. Signed, "J Longstreet / Lt. Gen. Com." Docketed in ink on verso. Rough edges at three of four sides, with a bit of loss at lower left corner. Light wear at folds and stray stains. Field issued orders coordinating the Confederate infantry and cavalry at the start of a failed siege operation.

From the collection of Larry Berra, son of baseball legend Yogi Berra.

In full: "Gen Jenkins is going to feel the enemy sharply at the R.R. Depot about sunset. I wish you would open your batteries about that hour and advance your line of skirmishers as far as you can threatening along your front."

These orders were issued while Longstreet was operating independently in East Tennessee, having been detached by Braxton Bragg earlier in November. His goal had been to drive Burnside from Knoxville and secure the region's vital rail connections. That decision, made ahead of the Battle of Chattanooga, left Bragg weakened while Longstreet pursued a separate campaign that culminated in the failed assault on Fort Sanders (November 29) and withdrawal in early December.

The order captures an important moment in the war's timeline during which the CSA attempted to conduct parallel operations. The Union won a decisive victory at Chattanooga on November 23-25, and Longstreet lifted the siege at Knoxville in early December. The failed operations were evidence of the fragmentation that contributed to Confederate setbacks in the Western Theater.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 7.625" x 4.875"
  • Medium: ADS

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