Confederate Gen. James Longstreet Receives Overdue Texas Property Tax Bill
Confederate General JAMES LONGSTREET (1821-1904) served in Florida and the Mexican War before being appointed Confederate Brigadier General. He was given command of half of Robert E. Lee’s infantry after the Seven Days’ Battle, and promoted to Lieutenant General after Antietam and Fredericksburg. His hesitancy in ordering Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg led to vindictive criticism by Southerners and Questions about his strategic ability. His book “From Manassas to Appomattox” gave his view of the war.
Offering two items relating to Gen. Longstreet’s property taxes, the first being an ALS written by M.A. Collins, an assistant to a Houston, TX, attorney, John J. Stevens, dated Dec. 23rd, 1898. The second item being an itemized breakdown of five years of apparently unpaid taxes from 1894 to 1898.
In the single-page letter, addressed to Longstreet in Washington, DC, M.H. Collins writes: “Mr. John J. Stevens, who left for Houston last night, requests me to procure from the Co. Collector of Bexar Co. a statement of taxes due by you on property owned in the County. I beg to enclose the same herewith.
“The Collector stated to me that there may be additional costs accrued if not paid by Jany 1/99.”
The second item, written in pencil, is certified by Paul Meerscheidt, as Collector. The document is addressed to Gen. Jas Longstreet for 196.42 acres on Leon Creek.
Letter has brushing throughout but is still very readable. The tax bill, in pencil, is quite readable. Nice Longstreet and Texas association items.
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