Longstreet

[Lost Cause]

Early in 1862, during a scarlet fever epidemic, three of the four Longstreet children (Mary Anne, James, and Augustus Baldwin) died within eight days. The blow was almost too much for Longstreet; he hurriedly went to Richmond. It was some days before he could leave his wife and 13-year-old son Garland, who were devastated by the tragedy.

The loss affected the general greatly. An aide noted that his "grief was very deep," while others commented on his change in
personality. Because the Longstreets were too grief-stricken, General George Pickett and his fiancee LaSalle Corbett made the burial arrangements.
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They are buried in Hollywood Cemetery , Richmond Va

 

[Jamieva]

And Hollywood is a must see if you come to visit Richmond

 

[War Horse]

Early in 1862, during a scarlet fever epidemic, three of the four Longstreet children (Mary Anne, James, and Augustus Baldwin) died within eight days. The blow was almost too much for Longstreet; he hurriedly went to Richmond. It was some days before he could leave his wife and 13-year-old son Garland, who were devastated by the tragedy.

The loss affected the general greatly. An aide noted that his "grief was very deep," while others commented on his change in
personality. Because the Longstreets were too grief-stricken, General George Pickett and his fiancee LaSalle Corbett made the burial arrangements.
Expired Image Removed

Yes, and short before the ANV broke winter camp young Garland had a relapse. Can you Imagne.

 

[Barrycdog]

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[Barrycdog]

As the years passed, Longstreet became bitter, and his attempts to "set the record straight" made the situation worse. He was naive in many ways. He failed to follow his uncle's advice not to anger people by submitting controversial letters to newspapers. He didn't anticipate extreme, long-lasting Southern hatred toward him, nor that there would be consequences for supporting Grant, becoming a Republican and accepting political appointments.

On January 2, 1904, Longstreet contracted pneumonia. Large quantities of blood began to flow from his mouth, and he hemorrhaged so badly that the throat wound he had received 49 years earlier was reopened. Delirious for some time, he eventually lost consciousness.

James Longstreet died of pneumonia on the morning of January 2, 1904, just six days short of his 83rd birthday.

On January 6th when the services began, a local guard unit and representatives of the Longstreet Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy attended. Two priests and Bishop Keiley, one of the general's old soldiers, conducted the services. All the Longstreet children except James attended.

After services at the courthouse, pallbearers carried the casket to a hearse, which began the long procession to Gainesville's Alta Vista Cemetery. State and local dignitaries, militia units, Confederate veterans carrying flags, and other groups followed as church bells tolled. At the gravesite, Bishop Keiley gave a eulogy, after which guards fired their volleys, and Taps sounded its haunting notes.

When the news of his death spread across the country, many newspapers had extolled his virtues as a man and his prowess as a general. Too bad they waited so long. As the pallbearers prepared to lower the casket, one of his old soldiers was moved to lay his uniform and enlistment papers on the lid of Longstreet's coffin, saying nothing, but speaking volumes.

Despite all the accusations, he still commanded the respect of thousands both North and South, both Blue and Gray.

 

[FarawayFriend]

Barryclog, thank you for this post. I like Longstreet because he was not such a larger than life character as Lee or Chamberlain. He was just a man and he acted and reacted as many of us would have. He was impulsive, he had a problem with loyalty (just sometimes) and he could become furious and sad and that showed. And after the war he was hurt. Being accused for something he thought was right because he had to sustain a family, must have hurt him. And so he tried to explain and justify and maybe sometimes did to much in attempting this. Like many of us would have done also. The more I come to know about him, the more I like him. He had lost his war in more than one respect and tried to struggle on in life although he had hard times. He has my full respect and admiration.

 

[War Horse]

Can anyone cite to an actual quote where Lee referred to Longstreet as his "War Horse"? I have always wondered if this was historically accurate, or just another myth that becomes a fact by repetition.

Vicksburger, General Lee referred to Longstreet as his Old Warhorse at Antietam (I believe for the first time)

"Despite the army's condition, Lee concluded on the night of 17th to hold the field another day. He gathered his senior lieutenants at headquarters in a field west of Sharpsburg. Stonewall Jackson, both the Hills, Hood, Jubal Early and D.R Jones joined the army commander. When Longstreet did not report with the others , Lee became concerned and inquired among the officers if anyone had seen the general. Smoking a cigar, Longstreet finally rode in, having been detained in the village as he assisted a family whose house was on fire from an artillery shell. When Lee Saw him, the army commander walked forward, grasped his subordinate's hand, and said "Ah! here is Longstreet; here's my old war-horse! Let us hear what he has to say." The two generals then talked quietly with each other."

 

[JEB]

Hollywood Cemetery is indeed a MUST see . I go each and everytime I visit Richmond . I was there just a few weeks ago actually . I was in New Orleans two weeks ago for another favorite Cemetery ...St Louis .

Longstreet's children remained unburied and in a vault for an extended period of time . I believe they died in Feburary and the frozen ground prohibited their actual burial . Legend has it that the Longstreet's were too distraught to make funeral arrangements . As mentioned Picket's fiance was the person who ultimately made the arrangements ; only after the Cemetery administrators were faced with the issue of unburied corpses piling up in their vaults .....including Longstreet's children .

The burial itself happened months after their deaths . I can't remember the exact period of time but it seemed unusally long . They are buried in plot next to General John Imboden . Its unclear if Longstreet himself attended the actual service . There was some controversy about the details of the funeral (which escape my memory )but whatever the actual issue was Longstreet was once again the target of scorn .

Old Pete , Lee's War Horse , got the short end of the stick . Once the finger pointing started Longstreet presented an easy target . I often wonder to what degree is his treatment unfair . He became the guy everybody loved to hate and I don't think he always deserved it .

 

[Rebforever]

Old Pete , Lee's War Horse , got the short end of the stick . Once the finger pointing started Longstreet presented an easy target . I often wonder to what degree is his treatment unfair . He became the guy everybody loved to hate and I don't think he always deserved it .

In Longstreet's response to his critics, he never takes the blame for anything and is as dishonest
as the so called "Lost Cause" group. In his own way, he was a remarkable General for the Confederacy.
He blew that by his shenanigans after the war by his forward thinking he thought was the thing to do
instead of laying low for a while to let a readjustment work out for his people. He failed to do that and almost
lost his life. Other words, he over reacted. IMO

He most always tried to talk General Lee out of his maneuvers before battles. On various occasions he
did not follow General Lee's orders. All in all, Historians give him a huge break as did General Lee.
I do believe if Lee had kept Longstreet with him for the Chancellorsville battle, Hookers army would probably
been wiped out. But that is the way it goes.

 

[War Horse]

Hollywood Cemetery is indeed a MUST see . I go each and everytime I visit Richmond . I was there just a few weeks ago actually . I was in New Orleans two weeks ago for another favorite Cemetery ...St Louis .

Longstreet's children remained unburied and in a vault for an extended period of time . I believe they died in Feburary and the frozen ground prohibited their actual burial . Legend has it that the Longstreet's were too distraught to make funeral arrangements . As mentioned Picket's fiance was the person who ultimately made the arrangements ; only after the Cemetery administrators were faced with the issue of unburied corpses piling up in their vaults .....including Longstreet's children .

The burial itself happened months after their deaths . I can't remember the exact period of time but it seemed unusally long . They are buried in plot next to General John Imboden . Its unclear if Longstreet himself attended the actual service . There was some controversy about the details of the funeral (which escape my memory )but whatever the actual issue was Longstreet was once again the target of scorn .

Old Pete , Lee's War Horse , got the short end of the stick . Once the finger pointing started Longstreet presented an easy target . I often wonder to what degree is his treatment unfair . He became the guy everybody loved to hate and I don't think he always deserved it .

It was in February of 62 that the children came down with the fever. Some reports say the story told by Pickett's then Fiancée is false (the one in which she claims the Longstreet's were so distraught that her and General Pickett made the funeral arrangement) in any case the children were entombed with 29 other body's until they were finally laid to rest in there current graves. The deaths of the 3 children had a profound effect on the General which changed his disposition immediately. Some say it was years later before the old Pete returned again.

 

[MBuehner]

There are a few interesting nuggets that really shed light on Longstreet's actions at Gettysburg.

Lee demonstrably didnt understand the Federal position the morning of July 2nd. The incident where he corrected Longstreet as to the intended position of McLaws is illustrative. Longstreet told McClaws to align parallel to the Emmitsburg Road, Lee interrupted and said no, he wanted McLaws perpendicular to the road. Both divisions were to attack 'up' the road to strike the Federal flank anchored on Cemetery Hill.

The problem was, the Federal flank didn't follow the road at all. At dawn the federals occupied a line directly down Cemetery Ridge and anchored at the foot of Little Road Top (although pickets extended across the road). Emmitsburg Road diverges southwest of Cemetery Hill. Had Longstreet attempted what Lee indicated _at any hour of the July 2nd_ he would expose his right to the 3rd Corp, the arriving 5th Corp, and elements of the 2nd corp, with all their guns on the ridge. The order to align that way would never have been given once it became apparent how the Federals were actually disposed.
IE- there was no angle or salient for Longstreet to attack where Lee ordered.
Whats interesting is that it would seem (giving the initial instructions Longstreet gave McLaws) that Longstreet had a better grasp of the Federal position from the beginning, and was developing a rational plan to deal with it. Without decent reconnaissance, both men were making educated guesses on what the Federals were trying to accomplish, and like much of the battle, the roads are the key. If you assume the federal reinforcements will be coming up the Emmitsburg Road (as the 3rd Corp had), the Federals would be extending to protect that vital avenue. On the other hand, if you believe the reinforcements would be arriving via the Tanneytown Road and/or Baltimore Turnpike (as indeed the 5th and 6th Corp did), the Emmitsburg has no relevance aside from _some_ areas of higher ground adjacent (The Peach Orchard).

Whats even more interesting is that Sickles obsession with those bits of high ground were probably influenced by this issue as well. Several 3rd Corp units and the corp ammunition train were following up the Emmitsburg but had no arrived as of mid-day. Keeping command of the road would be an issue with Sickles, and perhaps in his mind that was the supply line of the army.

Meade, on the other hand, saw no value in the road and instead occupied the arguably better (and certainly shorter) line from cemetary hill down the ridge to the round tops. This was closest to his reinforcements and had the better road network behind it to shift units. Any attack on any part of that line would be open to enfilade from either or both ends (unless the Rebels could attack the entire line at once).

At the end of the day- there was simply no way to attack Cemetary Hill from Longstreets position. Any attack made would either have to be a frontal assault Eastward, or detaching from Hill and seeking out the Union Left below the Roundtops (which would have run face first into the arriving 6th Corp). Longstreets frustration take on a slightly different shade knowing that his orders were untenable. He may have foot dragged to get his corp into position, but he certainly attacked with an unrivaled fury, and managed to enterprise a plan that nearly split the Union line in 2 with only 2 divisions and middling help from Anderson's. Longstreet didnt have a single regiment that wasnt heavily engaged that afternoon. And another brigade or two in reserve might have given him the strength to break the line entirely. Not a bad days work.

 

[MBuehner]

One more tidbit- this battle was the beginning of the falling out between Longstreet and McLaws. Just a month earlier, Longstreet had urged Lee to promote McLaws to corp command (Hill and Ewell got the jobs instead, which irked McLaws). Within a year, Longstreet would be angling to replace McLaws and eventually relieved him of command and had him court martialed. The history of this falling out is an important part of Gettysburg.

Lee was often unhappy with McLaws. He gave the general a large part of the force capturing Harpers Ferry during the Maryland Campaign and felt the general was slow and endangered the army. During the Battle of Chancellorsville, Lee commanded McLaws directly (Longstreet was detached) and felt McLaws passed up a golden opportunity to destroy a portion of the federal army with his timidity. Lee never seemed to have forgiven him. Not only did Lee pass over McLaws assigning new corp commands, he instructed Longstreet to oversee the general personally, and held Longstreet accountable for him.

Now flash back to the morning meeting on July 2nd, 1863 where Longstreet and Lee instruct McLaws on his mission (an odd thing in itself, Hood got no such extra coaching). Longstreet forbade McLaws from conducting his own reconnaissance preferring him to remain with his division (which doubtless was Lee's preference, and possibly was for Lee's benefit as McLaws and Longstreet made a reconnaissance together a bit late). During the battle, Longstreet basically baby sat McLaws division, going so far as to give orders to specific brigades directly (a breech in protocol). McLaws complained bitterly about all the interference later. This was also particularly odd given that General Hood had been seriously wounded very early in the action, and Hoods division essentially fought leaderless the entire day (General Law did little outside of his own brigade). This is another great 'what if' of Gettysburg, as Hoods division fought like banshees but seriously dispersed their strength over too wide an area. On the other hand, McLaws division under the direct commands of Longstreet attacked in a solid mass 2 brigades deep that crushed the 3rd corp and nearly split the union army in half. Longstreet personally directed Woffords brigade into a devastating flanking attack in the wheat field that drove the Federals back to the slopes of Little Round Top for good.

The bottom line was Longstreet, due to Lee's directive, was virtually unable to function as a corp commander. Was this one reason there was little coordination with Hill's corp (Anderson's division) who's timely (and whole hearted) attack could well have taken Cemetery Ridge and likely won the battle outright? There's no question McLaws attack was devastating, but had Longstreet been in a position to better coordinate Hood's forces and perhaps kick Anderson in the pants, who knows what else might have been possible?

 

[cash]

There are a few interesting nuggets that really shed light on Longstreet's actions at Gettysburg.

Lee demonstrably didnt understand the Federal position the morning of July 2nd. The incident where he corrected Longstreet as to the intended position of McLaws is illustrative. Longstreet told McClaws to align parallel to the Emmitsburg Road, Lee interrupted and said no, he wanted McLaws perpendicular to the road. Both divisions were to attack 'up' the road to strike the Federal flank anchored on Cemetery Hill.

The problem was, the Federal flank didn't follow the road at all. At dawn the federals occupied a line directly down Cemetery Ridge and anchored at the foot of Little Road Top (although pickets extended across the road). Emmitsburg Road diverges southwest of Cemetery Hill. Had Longstreet attempted what Lee indicated _at any hour of the July 2nd_ he would expose his right to the 3rd Corp, the arriving 5th Corp, and elements of the 2nd corp, with all their guns on the ridge. The order to align that way would never have been given once it became apparent how the Federals were actually disposed.
IE- there was no angle or salient for Longstreet to attack where Lee ordered.
Whats interesting is that it would seem (giving the initial instructions Longstreet gave McLaws) that Longstreet had a better grasp of the Federal position from the beginning, and was developing a rational plan to deal with it. Without decent reconnaissance, both men were making educated guesses on what the Federals were trying to accomplish, and like much of the battle, the roads are the key. If you assume the federal reinforcements will be coming up the Emmitsburg Road (as the 3rd Corp had), the Federals would be extending to protect that vital avenue. On the other hand, if you believe the reinforcements would be arriving via the Tanneytown Road and/or Baltimore Turnpike (as indeed the 5th and 6th Corp did), the Emmitsburg has no relevance aside from _some_ areas of higher ground adjacent (The Peach Orchard).

Whats even more interesting is that Sickles obsession with those bits of high ground were probably influenced by this issue as well. Several 3rd Corp units and the corp ammunition train were following up the Emmitsburg but had no arrived as of mid-day. Keeping command of the road would be an issue with Sickles, and perhaps in his mind that was the supply line of the army.

Meade, on the other hand, saw no value in the road and instead occupied the arguably better (and certainly shorter) line from cemetary hill down the ridge to the round tops. This was closest to his reinforcements and had the better road network behind it to shift units. Any attack on any part of that line would be open to enfilade from either or both ends (unless the Rebels could attack the entire line at once).

At the end of the day- there was simply no way to attack Cemetary Hill from Longstreets position. Any attack made would either have to be a frontal assault Eastward, or detaching from Hill and seeking out the Union Left below the Roundtops (which would have run face first into the arriving 6th Corp). Longstreets frustration take on a slightly different shade knowing that his orders were untenable. He may have foot dragged to get his corp into position, but he certainly attacked with an unrivaled fury, and managed to enterprise a plan that nearly split the Union line in 2 with only 2 divisions and middling help from Anderson's. Longstreet didnt have a single regiment that wasnt heavily engaged that afternoon. And another brigade or two in reserve might have given him the strength to break the line entirely. Not a bad days work.

There's much to agree with here, but I think that rather than having a better understanding of the Federal position, Longstreet actually had a poorer understanding of the scouting reports than Lee had. Since the scouting reports were inaccurate, then Lee's understanding of the Federal position, was inaccurate.

Also, the idea behind the attack as it was made was to siphon off defenders from Cemetery Hill, thereby making it ripe for the picking. Had Posey and Mahone--especially Mahone--been more aggressive they had a great opportunity to capture Cemetery Hill.

 

[War Horse]

One more tidbit- this battle was the beginning of the falling out between Longstreet and McLaws. Just a month earlier, Longstreet had urged Lee to promote McLaws to corp command (Hill and Ewell got the jobs instead, which irked McLaws). Within a year, Longstreet would be angling to replace McLaws and eventually relieved him of command and had him court martialed. The history of this falling out is an important part of Gettysburg.

Lee was often unhappy with McLaws. He gave the general a large part of the force capturing Harpers Ferry during the Maryland Campaign and felt the general was slow and endangered the army. During the Battle of Chancellorsville, Lee commanded McLaws directly (Longstreet was detached) and felt McLaws passed up a golden opportunity to destroy a portion of the federal army with his timidity. Lee never seemed to have forgiven him. Not only did Lee pass over McLaws assigning new corp commands, he instructed Longstreet to oversee the general personally, and held Longstreet accountable for him.

Now flash back to the morning meeting on July 2nd, 1863 where Longstreet and Lee instruct McLaws on his mission (an odd thing in itself, Hood got no such extra coaching). Longstreet forbade McLaws from conducting his own reconnaissance preferring him to remain with his division (which doubtless was Lee's preference, and possibly was for Lee's benefit as McLaws and Longstreet made a reconnaissance together a bit late). During the battle, Longstreet basically baby sat McLaws division, going so far as to give orders to specific brigades directly (a breech in protocol). McLaws complained bitterly about all the interference later. This was also particularly odd given that General Hood had been seriously wounded very early in the action, and Hoods division essentially fought leaderless the entire day (General Law did little outside of his own brigade). This is another great 'what if' of Gettysburg, as Hoods division fought like banshees but seriously dispersed their strength over too wide an area. On the other hand, McLaws division under the direct commands of Longstreet attacked in a solid mass 2 brigades deep that crushed the 3rd corp and nearly split the union army in half. Longstreet personally directed Woffords brigade into a devastating flanking attack in the wheat field that drove the Federals back to the slopes of Little Round Top for good.

The bottom line was Longstreet, due to Lee's directive, was virtually unable to function as a corp commander. Was this one reason there was little coordination with Hill's corp (Anderson's division) who's timely (and whole hearted) attack could well have taken Cemetery Ridge and likely won the battle outright? There's no question McLaws attack was devastating, but had Longstreet been in a position to better coordinate Hood's forces and perhaps kick Anderson in the pants, who knows what else might have been possible?

Stick around, we need more who think like you around here. In all seriousness thank you for your post.

 

[thomas aagaard]

In Longstreet's response to his critics, he never takes the blame for anything and is as dishonest as the so called "Lost Cause" group.

I think the important detail is in how and when.
"Lost Cause" group lied and invented stuff to promote an agenda. And this soon after the war.
Longstreet didn't reply until later. And I think most of his errors/mistakes have more to do with bitterness and age than lack of honesty.

Anyway, In his later years I do believe that many of the surviving veterans started to forgive/forget his political post war decisions and remembered his service during the war instead. And he was a welcome person at reunions.

 

[Rebforever]

I think the important detail is in how and when.
"Lost Cause" group lied and invented stuff to promote an agenda. And this soon after the war.
Longstreet didn't reply until later. And I think most of his errors/mistakes have more to do with bitterness and age than lack of honesty.

Anyway, In his later years I do believe that many of the surviving veterans started to forgive/forget his political post war decisions and remembered his service during the war instead. And he was a welcome person at reunions.

You sure it the so called "Lost Cause" group didn't start until after General Lee's death?
Longstreet is outnumbered by those so called "Lost Causers" and they were all saying the
same things about him. Later years may have been the forgiving, but not forgetting.

 

[rpkennedy]

You sure it the so called "Lost Cause" group didn't start until after General Lee's death?
Longstreet is outnumbered by those so called "Lost Causers" and they were all saying the
same things about him. Later years may have been the forgiving, but not forgetting.

The only one who criticized Longstreet prior to Lee's death was D.H. Hill who criticized Longstreet for his political positions (calling him a traitor to his people). Early, Pendleton, and the other "Lost Causers" didn't begin criticizing Longstreet until 1872 when Early made a speech that blamed Longstreet for the failure at Gettysburg (making up facts along the way) and, hence, the war. In the following years, Longstreet began to write his version, attempting to exonerate his name, not always being completely honest along the way.

Of course the "Lost Causers" were saying the same thing; they were all trying to shift blame from Lee (the Marble Man) to Longstreet.

R

 

[JerseyBart]

The only one who criticized Longstreet prior to Lee's death was D.H. Hill who criticized Longstreet for his political positions (calling him a traitor to his people). Early, Pendleton, and the other "Lost Causers" didn't begin criticizing Longstreet until 1872 when Early made a speech that blamed Longstreet for the failure at Gettysburg (making up facts along the way) and, hence, the war. In the following years, Longstreet began to write his version, attempting to exonerate his name, not always being completely honest along the way.

Of course the "Lost Causers" were saying the same thing; they were all trying to shift blame from Lee (the Marble Man) to Longstreet.

R

So in defending himself from multiple dishonest attacks, Longstreet was also dishonest. Yet...only Longstreet's dishonesty gets complained about by some. How convenient.

 

[Jamieva]

It all started after Lee's death because Lee would not have stood for it when he was alive.

 

[rpkennedy]

So in defending himself from multiple dishonest attacks, Longstreet was also dishonest. Yet...only Longstreet's dishonesty gets complained about by some. How convenient.

Pretty much, yes.

R