66. JOHN ECHOLS (1823-1896) Confederate brigadier general who served with Jackson and Loring, later succeeding Loring as commander of the Army of Southwest Virginia. A.L.S. "Jno Echols", 2pp. 4to., Staunton, Va., Mar. 11, 1874, defending an article edited by Robert E. Lee, evidently concerning reconstruction politics. In part: "...I have just read for the first time, an article written by Hon. A.H.H Stuart...he therein refers to the incidents attending the visit of General Rosecrans's ...in 1868, and to the correspondence between him and General Lee, and the manner in which Gen. Lee's answer to Gen. Rosecrans letter was prepared...He does not do justice in this matter. Mr. Stuart wrote out what they thought ought to be the answer of Gen. Lee to Gen Rosecrans and exhibited their productions to General Lee, and he declined to adopt either...afterwards a shorter and more simple paper was prepared and handed to him...He took this last to his cottage in the evening, and invited you and myself to join him and confer with him...acting in his presence alone, and principally advised by you ...Lee proceeded to cut down and alter both the sentiments and style of the paper so as to suit his own opinions and simple style, so that it was in fact Lee's own presentation and no one else's...Will you do me the favor to write me your recollection of what transpired?..." It would certainly be worthwhile to look further into the subject that was actually being discussed in this letter. Very good.
$300-400