Longstreet James

Scarce James Longstreet Signature on Attractive Militia Appointment

Single page partially printed signed militia appointment, 15.5" x 11". Page lightly toned with expected folds. 2.5" embossed applied blue seal State of Louisiana Adjutant General's Office, located to lower left corner. Signed by "James Longstreet", as Adjutant General and "H C Warmoth", as Governor of Louisiana, and dated July 18, 1870. Small manuscript in red ink to upper right corner referencing a recording date. Double matted to a size of 20" x 15.5".

An attractive large Militia appointment with a scarce Longstreet signature. Under a General Order, and in accordance with section 29 of an act entitled "An Act to Organize, Arm and Equip a Uniformed Militia" three companies of Infantry (Companies A, B, and C), enrolled and tendered their services to the state under George Braughn, Major. This Militia appointment nominated "D.A. Blanchard" to the rank of "Captain" for Company A for a regiment in the Louisiana State Militia. Signed and dated "this Eighteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy."

James Longstreet had an odd and illustrious career having worked for both the Union and later the Confederate army in 1861. After the war, Longstreet settled in New Orleans and went into private business. He supported the Republican Party, and in 1868 endorsed former Union commander Ulysses S. Grant’s presidential run—a move that sullied his reputation in the South. Throughout his later life, Longstreet was one of the popular targets of the Lost Cause movement, a literary and cultural crusade that condemned Reconstruction efforts and sought to shift blame for the Confederate defeat away from Robert E. Lee. Longstreet would spend much this period defending himself against repeated attacks from these critics, who argued that his slowness in mobilizing his troops and his disagreements with Lee represented a betrayal of the Confederacy. At the time of this Militia Appointment, Longstreet served a brief stint as the adjutant general of the state militia of Louisiana (early 1870s). During this time, he ordered a group of African-American militia soldiers to quell a riot by a white citizens’ group a move that only further damaged his reputation in the South. Fearing for his family’s safety, Longstreet left New Orleans and returned to Georgia in 1875.

His controversial career path post war was no less dubious than during his period upon acceptance of his post as Lieutenant colonel in the Confederate Army. (But we will leave that story for the reader to research). A fantastic piece of history which would look stunning framed.

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.