In 1913, LaSalle Corbell Pickett published The Heart of a Soldier: As Revealed in the Intimate Letters of Genl. George E. Pickett, C.S.A. She told readers that these wartime missives from her famous long-deceased husband had "lain locked away from the world, the lines fading upon the yellowed pages, their every word enshrined in the heart of the noble woman to whom they were written." She hoped that these letters would serve as "inspiration" to "lives less glorious than that of him who penned them, of the courage they can instill into hearts less brave, that has led their owner to share them with the world." Although Mrs. Pickett had already published these letters in 1908 in McClure's magazine, the compiled volume of them was very successful. The book sold well nationally, so much so, that in 1928, the poet Arthur Crew Inrnan decided a new edited volume should be published. In his correspondence with his publisher, Inman felt that only the title heeded to be changed and perhaps a couple of letters added. But he too maintained the value and validity of the correspondence. Almost everyone agreed that the letters provided unique and significant insight into the "heart of a soldier."
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