Didn't he do enough?

[JerseyBart]

Just remember, I am am Southern.

But the "wrong kind" of southerner.

 

[JerseyBart]

I suspect he has earned the respect of the majority so why sweat the minority. History has a strange way of setting the record straight with enough time.

Whining and sore losing will always exist

 

[Billy Yank]

Poor misunderstood Longstreet, people were all over Benedict Arnold too.

Difficult for me to appreciate this comparison w/B. Arnold, especially since Longstreet always did his duty as a soldier.

 

[War Horse]

Whining and sore losing will always exist

So true, so ture

 

[Silverfox]

Guys, I appreciate this vivid discussion in this thread I have launched. But I think it's a sorry thing to see that still, 111 years after his death, there is so much open controversy! Like @War Horse said in his first post, all Longstreet predicted and stood for came true - you are now the "United" States again, at least it looks like this from my foreign perspective.
Why not agree with Longstreet on what he wrote in "From Manassas to Appomattox":

" The strongest laws are those established by the sword. The
ideas that divided political parties before the war — upon the rights
of the States — were thoroughly discussed by our wisest statesmen,
and eventually appealed to the arbitrament of the sword. The
decision was in favor of the North, so that her construction becomes
the law, and should be so accepted."

That is what he thought and what he lived. Why do some find it so hard to accept it?

You are right about Longstreet--He was a complicated man who believed in doing his duty. He was at times a sad man because of his experiences. The war itself was sad---He lost his daughters to fever in 1862---Look at the friends he lost in the war serving with him---He was wounded in 1864--And still in the last days of the war he advised Lee to keep moving and would not advise surrender as long as there was a chance of a breakout. Bottom line, he did his duty in all that he did. After the war he did what he had to in support of his family and in later reunions was cheered by all except maybe Jubal Early. Good job Faraway Friend.

 

[JerseyBart]

Difficult for me to appreciate this comparison w/B. Arnold, especially since Longstreet always did his duty as a soldier.

The concepts of independence, freedom and rights were and still seem to be conditional to certain populations in the south and throughout the country when it comes to civil war era issues.

 

[JerseyBart]

But to get myself back on topic, Longstreet did enough, more than his fair share for the country, then the mistaken cause he helped lead and postwar.

 

[Northern Light]

I am practicing being offended.

Rascal!

 

[Rebforever]

I like Longstreet and he was not the only one to be affected adversely after the war. .

John S. Mosby

Longstreet was defective during the war.

 

[Rebforever]

You compared him to Benedict Arnold. No stretching required.

The only comparison I saw was the one you made.

 

[leftyhunter]

I am almost sure I am maybe somewhat pretty sure offended by this post.

You can unlike it if you wish.
Leftyhunter

 

[jgoodguy]

Longstreet was defective during the war.

Are you telling me Lee was defective too. I am absolutely aghast you would you would imply that Lee was incompetent for keeping Longstreet around.


Longstreet, James (1821–1904) - Encyclopedia Virginia

t the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Longstreet resigned his commission and entered Confederate service as a brigadier general. During the war he rose to the rank of lieutenant general and won consistent praise while serving under Lee, with whom he developed a lifelong friendship. Longstreet fought in all of Lee's major battles of 1862 and 1863 except Chancellorsville (1863), when he led two divisions on a foraging expedition to the south that included a brief siege of Suffolk, Virginia. He opposed Lee's plans at Gettysburg in July 1863, but risked his life recklessly in their execution. Following Lee's defeat, Longstreet led reinforcements to the Western Theater and contributed to the Confederate victory at Chickamauga (1863). He performed poorly, however, as subordinate to Confederate general Braxton Bragg during the Chattanooga Campaign (1863), and as an independent commander he failed to capture Knoxville, Tennessee, during the subsequent fall and winter. Recalled to Virginia in the spring of 1864, Longstreet was wounded by friendly fire at the Battle of the Wilderness within only a few miles of the spot where Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson had been similarly wounded the year before. Jackson soon died, whereas Longstreet returned to service in October, participating in the Petersburg Campaign and the endgame at Appomattox in April 1865.

 

[peteanddelmar]

You can unlike it if you wish.
Leftyhunter

Yeah, that was a mistake. Plus I am practicing being offended. And this one qualified mostly. Don't be offended. I am new at this being offended game.

 

[jgoodguy]

Yeah, that was a mistake. Plus I am practicing being offended. And this one qualified mostly. Don't be offended. I am new at this being offended game.

There are several members skilled at being offended on this board.

 

[peteanddelmar]

There are several members skilled at being offended on this board.

Yes. And I am not easily offended unless you speak ill of my family. But I am practicing so that I can throw out some indignation on an appropriate occasion.

 

[Rebforever]

Are you telling me Lee was defective too. I am absolutely aghast you would you would imply that Lee was incompetent for keeping Longstreet around.


Longstreet, James (1821–1904) - Encyclopedia Virginia

Oh, Longstreet was a good soldier when he had someone to impress.

 

[FarawayFriend]

Oh, Longstreet was a good soldier when he had someone to impress.

Then how fortunate that he impressed friends and foes alike!
But I'd say it was the other way round.
He WAS a good soldier and that (and not only his soldiering) impressed those who knew him.

 

[War Horse]

Oh, Longstreet was a good soldier when he had someone to impress.

Well Reb looks like the tides have turned. Not much Longstreet bashing going on these days. Looks like the old bull of the woods rides proud on CWT these days. I do admire your persistence though. I mean this in total good nature. I do enjoy your posts when my old Warhorse isn't involved.

 

[Alex Scotland]

Longstreet was a great man and a great general. The fact the great General Lee thought highly off him & valued him as a man & soldier says it all for me.

 

[Rebforever]

I respect all opinions on Longstreet! I don't intend to upset anyone. What I post is my studied opinion of his behavior and behind the back activity along with not manning up to his mistakes. The books about him note this also.