CIVIL WAR RECONSTRUCTION]. EARLY, Jubal A. (1816-1894), General, Confederate States of America . Autograph letter signed ("J A Early") to Beverley Tucker, Lynchburg [VA.], 22 April 1869. 8 full pp., 8vo, minor browning at folds . EARLY REPORTS ON THE RECONSTRUCTION SOUTH AND THE ACTIONS OF GRANT, THE 'SO-CALLED' PRESIDENT. An exceptional post-war letter in which former Confederate General Early discusses the condition of the South under radical Reconstruction. Early, one of Robert E. Lee's most important commanders throughout the war, led an independent campaign against Washington D.C. in 1864. Here, shortly after returning fron Canada, he begins by commenting on the excessive inflation and mockingly notes that "there are some people who pretend to think this a free government." He writes that suprisingly the people are "in a better condition than I expected...money is scarce, and the fine equipages and dresses of former days are not to be seen, but they have the substantials and can live...much of the distress is imaginary." He notes: "A number of people have apostatized, and there is a great deal of demoralization, but not as much...as has been represented." Early does express happiness that southern women "have remained true." The former general expresses great distress, however, over the Reconstruction governments: "The government is as bad as can be. All the old officers have been removed and their places have been supplied...with the most unprincipled scallawags and carpet-baggers." Early expresses particular dislike of Shoemaker, a major in the Confederate artillery, whose "want of qualifications" makes his appointment as a circuit judge a "miserable farce." The General expresses great discouragement over former foe Ulysses S. Grant's Administration: "These are great times we have fallen upon, are they not? When the President of the United States (so-called) is vested with the power of shaping a constitution to be voted upon by the people of Virginia - what may be the result of the election is hard to tell. The abominable movement...has served to divide and confuse our people, and many good men have been led astray. I fear the result of this may be the triumph of the Radicals...Grant...has not sense enough to put the questions which are submitted to his judgement in such a form as not to divide the conservative vote." Early sadly notes that he would fight against the bill if he was "allowed to vote" but acknowledges that he still speaks his mind "as boldly and openly as I did in Canada." He proudly exclaims that most people in Lexington agree with him and notes: "General Lee himself is all right, and there was no foundation for the report that he suggested an approval [of the bill]" Early concludes that he is considering practising law and remarks about Tucker's correspondance with General Lee: "General Lee told me he had written to you once or twice."
CIVIL WAR RECONSTRUCTION]. EARLY, Jubal A. (1816-1894), General, Confederate States of America . Autograph letter signed ("J A Early") to Beverley Tucker, Lynchburg [VA.], 22 April 1869. 8 full pp., 8vo, minor browning at folds . EARLY REPORTS ON THE RECONSTRUCTION SOUTH AND THE ACTIONS OF GRANT, THE 'SO-CALLED' PRESIDENT. An exceptional post-war letter in which former Confederate General Early discusses the condition of the South under radical Reconstruction. Early, one of Robert E. Lee's most important commanders throughout the war, led an independent campaign against Washington D.C. in 1864. Here, shortly after returning fron Canada, he begins by commenting on the excessive inflation and mockingly notes that "there are some people who pretend to think this a free government." He writes that suprisingly the people are "in a better condition than I expected...money is scarce, and the fine equipages and dresses of former days are not to be seen, but they have the substantials and can live...much of the distress is imaginary." He notes: "A number of people have apostatized, and there is a great deal of demoralization, but not as much...as has been represented." Early does express happiness that southern women "have remained true." The former general expresses great distress, however, over the Reconstruction governments: "The government is as bad as can be. All the old officers have been removed and their places have been supplied...with the most unprincipled scallawags and carpet-baggers." Early expresses particular dislike of Shoemaker, a major in the Confederate artillery, whose "want of qualifications" makes his appointment as a circuit judge a "miserable farce." The General expresses great discouragement over former foe Ulysses S. Grant's Administration: "These are great times we have fallen upon, are they not? When the President of the United States (so-called) is vested with the power of shaping a constitution to be voted upon by the people of Virginia - what may be the result of the election is hard to tell. The abominable movement...has served to divide and confuse our people, and many good men have been led astray. I fear the result of this may be the triumph of the Radicals...Grant...has not sense enough to put the questions which are submitted to his judgement in such a form as not to divide the conservative vote." Early sadly notes that he would fight against the bill if he was "allowed to vote" but acknowledges that he still speaks his mind "as boldly and openly as I did in Canada." He proudly exclaims that most people in Lexington agree with him and notes: "General Lee himself is all right, and there was no foundation for the report that he suggested an approval [of the bill]" Early concludes that he is considering practising law and remarks about Tucker's correspondance with General Lee: "General Lee told me he had written to you once or twice."
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
