Calmly and compassionately rendered, realistic and romantic, after the war is over is a wonderful testament to its survivors. Wert is the author of eight previous books on civil war topics, most. An objective and realistic look at a confederate commander by a respected historian. General james longstreet was lees senior lieutenant in the army of northern virginia and the general whose conduct at the battle of gettysburg remains a topic of heated debate more than years later. Biography of confederate general james longstreet, who grew up near. He does not know that after this moment there will be no more miracles to conjure up, the war in the west would. He is certain it is a mistake and disagrees totally with lees offensive approach. Longstreet at gettysburg, the third day american civil war. The most overt conflict in the killer angels, aside from the battle itself, is the argument between lee and longstreet over whether to use offensive or defensive tactics. After the civil war was over and the soldiers of both sides began to get on with their lives and the history of the war was beginning to be written, there began a great deal of finger pointing as to whose fault certain actions and their outcomes were. It was longstreet, after the death of stonewall jackson, that lee relied. Longstreet, instead, favors finding a strong defensive position and making the enemy come to him. He served in all the battles of the mexican war, and, like general lee.
A must for the well rounded student of general longstreet. The author argues that longstreets record has been discredited unfairly, beginning with character assassination by his contemporaries after the war and, persistently, by historians in the decades since. The incident is widely acknowledged by historians as general robert e. Longstreet has come to understand the modern nature of warfare. In her rebuttal to reverend pendleton, helen alluded to her recently published book in which. What major us civil war battles did confederate general. Longstreet was a republican and after the war took an active role in the federal government. From manassas to appomattox book by james longstreet. This is largely a favorable book about longstreet, but it is not uncritical. Even after that, lee consented for longstreet to wait for laws brigade, which arrived shortly before noon.
Meade, on the other hand, develops a reputation, probably unfairly, of being a rather poor general who got lucky at gettysburg, and was eventually replaced by grant. Jun 16, 2018 widow longstreet told life magazine reporters, surprised to find a civil war generals widow alive and well and working for the war effort, i just want to build bombers to bomb hitler. Looking at longstreets war record in its entiretyand being careful to stop at the moment he stopped fighting in 1865it is easy to see why his biographer jeffry d. Longstreet did not help his reputation after the war when, in his memoirs and other writings, he was highly critical of lees decision to invade the north in 1863 and lees tactics at the. Taylor, wrote that following the battle of saylers creek on april 6, 1865, he had issued orders for lee relieving major generals richard h. The book opens with the beginning of the two final, major confrontations of the war. Yet as angry as longstreet is with lee, he cannot pull away from him. General james longstreet fought in nearly every campaign of the civil war, from manassas the first battle of bull run to antietam, fredericksburg, chickamauga, gettysburg, and was present at the surrender at appomattox. Military academy at west point, longstreet fought in the war with mexico and against indians on the frontier.
This book provides significant references to facts and historical records. He tried to shift the blame to others and commented to an aide that he preferred being under general lee, as it relieved him of responsibility and assured confidence. While many in history have judged him harshly as they feel that he abandoned the south after the war in reality he simply did what had always done which was to be true to his. This book is the memoirs of confederate general james longstreet, the general whom, excepting stonewall jackson, was the man most trusted and relied upon by robert e. Nov 21, 2016 james longstreet january 8, 1821 january 2, 1904 was one of the foremost confederate generals of the american civil war and the principal subordinate to general robert e. General lees calling him my old warhorse captured the essence of longstreet perfectly.
Original research by longstreet society member jan vanderheiden in richmond, va during winter 1862, the three youngest children of general james and maria louisa longstreet died from scarlet fever. Nov 30, 2019 there have probably been a few doctorates handed out for good answers to this one. In his postwar assessments and writings he was candid about gettysburg and lessthanartfully pointed the finger for some of the blame on general robert e. General james longstreet was commander of general robert e. Perhaps no confederate officer is surrounded by more controversy than james longstreet. Years after the war, longstreet s reputation swung between confederate hero and brutish scoundrel. Many historians agree that his purpose in joining the southern cause was not because he agreed with slavery. This is the first book length, critical analysis of lieutenant general james longstreets actions at the battle of gettysburg. Longstreet is consumed with anger and frustration over this battle. As i began the research phase and spent over a year examining primary sources for the book, it became quite clear to me that most general histories of the battle and books about longstreet that sought to examine his actions at gettysburg have seemingly ranged in accuracy from imprecise to erroneous, and from partiality to conjecture. Aug 23, 2017 longstreet did not help his reputation after the war when, in his memoirs and other writings, he was highly critical of lees decision to invade the north in 1863 and lees tactics at the. Im not sure this is either a fair representation of what longstreet did, or a fair representation of the republican partys efforts both during and after the war.
Lees famed first corps, and the one lee fondly called my old war horse, yet longstreet lost favor among many southerners in the days after the war. It was longstreet who ordered pickett forward at gettysburg, in what has become known as picketts charge. Shelby foote, the author and civil war historian, said longstreet did a hell of a job during the last month of the war. The essay has now been reprinted in newspapers across the country. General lee has reported of arrangements for the day,the general plan was unchanged. After the war, the lets deify lee crowd led chiefly by former confederate jubal early tried to use longstreet as the scapegoat for some of lees failures partly because longstreet had the candor to say publicly that lee and jackson had their faults and made mistakes eg the 7days war. The confederacys most controversial commander 2000 youtube.
Born in south carolina, although largely raised in georgia, and an 1842 graduate of the u. Picketts charge would fail miserably and less than 2 years later, the war for southern independence was over. After the civil war november 1, 2016 august 1, 2018 by daniel, posted in civil war todays post is written by david langbart, an archivist in the textual records division at the national archives at college park. Alexanders artillery marched through the night and arrived before 9 a. June 15, 2018 confederate general james longstreets reputation was thrown under the bus by the widow of his former friend, general george pickett. The confederacys most controversial commander 2000. The war over, he accepted his parole in good faith and both by word and deed urged his people to a frank and prompt acceptance of the result of the struggle. James longstreet, from manassas to appomattox, 1st ed. Jan 30, 2016 for longstreet that meant, in part, working with the republican party to preserve white supremacy. Hall, pennsylvania, slightly more than one hour from the battlefield at gettysburg.
What happened to confederate general james longstreet after. Longstreet, reinforced by picketts three brigades, which arrived near the battlefield during the afternoon of the 2d, was ordered to attack the next morning, and general ewell was ordered to attack the enemys right at the same time. But the battle to restore both mens reputations had just begun. At west point together grants courtship the war and afterwards gainesville, georgia, july 23 he was the truest as well as the bravest man that ever lived, was the remark made by general james longstreet, when he recovered today from the emotion caused by the sad. To civil warwar between the states students, gainesville is perhaps best known as the last home and final resting place of lt. George edward pickett january 16, 1825 july 30, 1875 was a career united states army officer who became a major general in the confederate states army during the american civil war. Jeffry wert argues that longstreet opposed lees illfated frontal assault on july 3 and that, had lee followed longstreet s advice to take a more defensive posture, the battle might have turned out differently. After the war, longstreet joined the republican party and became a political apostate in the south during the reconstruction era. What major us civil war battles did confederate general james. His victories in the civil war were many and included some of the most pivotal of the entire conflict. But, after the war, longstreet became the target of many lost cause attacks.
Born in 1821 in south carolina, james longstreet graduated from west point in 1842 and served with distinction in the mexican war. Edward porter alexander claimed that if longstreet had not been wounded, continued confederate attacks would have spread further panic in the union ranks, ultimately resulting in grant withdrawing the army of the potomac back across the rapidan river. Army when his native state seceded from the union december 1860. Jeffry wert argues that longstreet opposed lees illfated frontal assault on july 3 and that, had lee followed longstreets advice to take a more defensive posture, the battle might have turned out differently. As lees right hand man, he was both a tactical master and competent leader. Lees most trusted subordinates, longstreet played a pivotal role in confederate operations in both the eastern and western theaters of the war. Corys new book is certain to spark debate as to the influence of the postwar lost cause adherents and their overt criticism of longstreet on modern analyses of gettysburg, as well as the. Army officer, government official and most famously a lieutenant general in the confederate army during the civil. Army officer, government official and most famously a lieutenant general in the confederate army during the civil war 186165. That is the study of how history was written, why it was written, and how the interpretations of historical writers changed the view of history. Civil war james longstreet first offered his services to the confederacy. General longstreet knows the disposition of the southern people and if he is in a position to do. In about 30 pages the author talks about the beginning of longstreets origins to the civil war. Yet, he was largely held to blame for the confederacys defeat at gettysburg.
Lane believes that longstreets postwar alignment with the republican party and other exploits points to an important historical lesson in. There is much longstreet does not know and will never know. May 01, 2019 corys new book is certain to spark debate as to the influence of the postwar lost cause adherents and their overt criticism of longstreet on modern analyses of gettysburg, as well as the. Why did longstreet ultimately fight for the confederacy. General james longstreet was without a doubt one of the most capable corp commanders who has ever served in any army and after reading this book i think you will agree. Lee had been a right hand man to winfield scott in the mexican war. James longstreet january 8, 1821 january 2, 1904 was one of the foremost confederate generals of the american civil war and the principal subordinate to general robert e. General james longstreet picketts charge gettysburg battle. Lee and longstreet grow to be legends in their own time, and each becomes even more famous in the nostalgic fervor that eventually surrounds the civil war. General lee has reported of arrangements for the day, the general plan was unchanged. Although he had reservations about secession, longstreet was devoted to serving the interests of the south.
On october 9, a few weeks after antietam, longstreet was promoted to lieutenant general. Peer through history at confederate lieutenant general james longstreet, whose steady nature and dominating figure earned him the nicknames war horse, bulldog, and bull of the woods. James longstreet was born in south carolina in 1821, and he graduated west point in 1842. The book doesnt spend as much time on longstreet after the war where he did become a republican in the south and drew the ire of many southerners. He is best remembered for leading picketts charge, the futile and bloody confederate offensive on the third day of the battle of gettysburg that bears his name. Years after the war, longstreets reputation swung between confederate hero and brutish scoundrel. Confederate general james longstreet discusses his friendship with grant. Like most southerners, longstreet believed that his way of life and states rights, as well as his home were being threatened. He resigned from the army in june 1861, and joined the confederacy. Im a little disappointed the book largely glossed over his post war life, but the. His letters to the new orleans times, his support of the republican party, and his memoirs served to.
Lee, longstreet was lees trusted advisor and friend. It is important to note, however, that longstreet worked adamantly for civil rights after the war was over. Grant against lee in virginia and sherman pressing johnston in north georgia. Former confederate general james longstreet went into the business world after the us civil war. After the us civil war had ended, former confederate lieutenant general james longstreet traveled to washington dc to follow up on the written application for a pardon from the us government. What did general longstreet really think about general lee at. Resigning from the us army he was quickly commissioned as a lieutenant colonel in the confederate army. Apr 01, 2019 as i began the research phase and spent over a year examining primary sources for the book, it became quite clear to me that most general histories of the battle and books about longstreet that sought to examine his actions at gettysburg have seemingly ranged in accuracy from imprecise to erroneous, and from partiality to conjecture.
How they helped his reputation as a great general during the war, and how they were used against him so consistently after the war. For example, in a later campaign in tennessee, longstreet suffered one of the most complete repulses that the army of northern virginia ever experienced in the war. During the mexicanamerican war in 1847, he experienced extensive front line combat service in both the northern and southern theaters of operations, where he led detachments that helped capture two mexican forts guarding monterey longstreet also engaged in street fighting in monterey. Longstreet still worries about lees health, is always respectful in his comments, and dutifully helps lee retreat from the battle after the loss. It seems he thought it best to let the war be a part of the past and rejoined the u. There have probably been a few doctorates handed out for good answers to this one. No criticism of longstreets battlefield performance including gettysburg was ever made until nearly 10 years after the war and the death of robert e. He joined the confederacy soon after the civil war began and fought in nearly every campaign of lees army as well as in a major campaign in the. What did general longstreet really think about general lee.
Before manassas and after appomattox is an important book on the life, family, and civilian careers of general longstreet. What happened to confederate general james longstreet. Ralph turned over a leaf of his law book with a significant air, and the clock and. As the officer corps split along sectional lines, he joined the. The decision for longstreet to attack appears to have come around 11 a. This personal tragedy is mentioned in biographies and discussions of longstreet the general. The author provides generous detail into the events and life experiences that shaped this man. General james longstreet fought in nearly every campaign of the civil war. A controversy existed over whether pickett was relieved of his command in the final days of the war.
Before reading this i had assumed that jubal early and others who attacked longstreet after the war decided he would be a good scapegoat for their and lees failures due to his not being from virginia and because he became a republican after the war. Lee arranged for longstreet s promotion to be dated one day earlier than jacksons, making the old war horse the senior lieutenant general in the entire confederate army. How that came about is a cautionary tale for those who write civil war. Traveling to richmond, va, he met with president jefferson davis who informed him that had been appointed a brigadier general. General lee called longstreet, old war horse a nickname that would prove to be correct in that he was a great war commander and lived to a very old age of 83. He was involved with insurance and the cotton business. Longstreet emerges in this book as a brave and capable commander, who was not afraid to expose himself to danger during battles, because he believed that this was part of the means by which a general had to lead his army. General james longstreet, who is a native of alabama, was regularly educated for the profession of arms. General lee often called james longstreet his old war horse so the reader can get the story straight from the hosess mouth. After the civil war, prominent exconfederates like walter taylor of general robert e. As we remember the battle of gettysburg, over at thestrategybridge, kyle gaffney wrote a moving bit, capturing in place in time a man who in my adulthood, grew to be a great man in my eyes, lt. Among them was former confederate lieutenant general james longstreet. Was general longstreet actually robert lees wise right. Remember that they had known each other for a long time.
Longstreet, reinforced by picketts three brigades, which arrived near the battlefield during the afternoon of the 2d, was ordered to attack the next morning, and general ewell. Longstreet had been a progressive party member who had supported theodore roosevelt for president as a delegate to the progressive party convention. Longstreet, on the other hand, was arguably the finest corps commander on either side during the war. James longstreet, born january 8, 1821, edgefield district, south carolina, u. James longstreets manassas to appomattox remains one of the greatest memoirs of a prominent confederate. This book is an unbiased ascertainment of the performance of general james longstreet during the civil war. Longstreet is a man of deep emotions, although he shows little on the surface. The author was very good a pointing out the good and the bad about longstreet, lee and jackson which i have found rare in reading history. Feb 07, 2020 longstreet was a republican and after the war took an active role in the federal government.