Search

Start Over Collection Douglas Southall Freeman Letters 1930-1938 Creator John Page Elliott
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.

Douglas Southall Freeman Letters 1930-1938

These twenty-two letters, 1930-1938, from Douglas Southall Freeman, historian and author, to Misses Betty Pageand M. Louise Cocke, concern letters and manuscripts of their grandfather, Philip St. George Cocke, during the Civil War. During 1930, Freeman was gathering material for R. E. Lee, A Biography, which was eventually published 1934-1935. While researching this book, he came to the belief that Cocke was one of Lee's "most valued counsellors" and that he was "largely responsible for the plan of operations that led to the great victory at First Manassas." While Freeman was unable to include much material on Cocke in his biography of Robert E. Lee, he made an effort to write a detailed sketch of him in Lee's Lieutenants, A Study in Command, published in the early 1942-1946. In November 1937, Freeman asks the Misses Cocke if it is permissible to quote from General Cocke's report on First Manassas in the sketch, and relates that he thinks it best not to quote extensively so as not to reduce the value of the document in case they wish to sell at a later date. These letters reveal a friendly and cooperative relationship in which Freeman researched the letters and manuscripts of Cocke that were in the possession of Misses Betty Page and M. Louise Cocke. Freeman also assisted the ladies by working with Dr. [Hamilton James] Eckenrodeto find a suitable biographer for Philip St. George Cocke.

1 result

Douglas Southall Freeman Letters 1930-1938

John Page Elliott

These twenty-two letters, 1930-1938, from Douglas Southall Freeman, historian and author, to Misses Betty Pageand M. Louise Cocke, concern letters and manuscripts of their grandfather, Philip St. George Cocke, during the Civil War. During 1930, Freeman was gathering material for R. E. Lee, A Biography, which was eventually published 1934-1935. While researching this book, he came to the belief that Cocke was one of Lee's "most valued counsellors" and that he was "largely responsible for the plan of operations that led to the great victory at First Manassas." While Freeman was unable to include much material on Cocke in his biography of Robert E. Lee, he made an effort to write a detailed sketch of him in Lee's Lieutenants, A Study in Command, published in the early 1942-1946. In November 1937, Freeman asks the Misses Cocke if it is permissible to quote from General Cocke's report on First Manassas in the sketch, and relates that he thinks it best not to quote extensively so as not to reduce the value of the document in case they wish to sell at a later date. These letters reveal a friendly and cooperative relationship in which Freeman researched the letters and manuscripts of Cocke that were in the possession of Misses Betty Page and M. Louise Cocke. Freeman also assisted the ladies by working with Dr. [Hamilton James] Eckenrodeto find a suitable biographer for Philip St. George Cocke.

Content Warning

ARVAS is an aggregator of archival resources. ARVAS does not have control of the descriptive language used in our members’ finding aids.

Finding aids may contain historical terms and phrases, reflecting the shared attitudes and values of the community from which they were collected, but are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical or mental ability; religion; sex; and sexual orientation and gender identity.

Many institutions and organizations are in the process of reviewing and revising their descriptive language, with the intent to describe materials in more humanizing, inclusive, and harm-reductive ways. As members revise their descriptive language, their changes will eventually be reflected in their ARVAS finding aids.

Limit your search

  • Douglas Southall Freeman Letters 1930-1938 1