Didn't he do enough?

[FarawayFriend]

I'm currently reading Helen Dortch Longstreet's book "Lee and Longstreet at high tide" which is far more than just an account of the battle of Gettysburg from Longstreet's perspective. General Longstreet's second wife added to her book an account of "Longstreet the man" in which I found a quote that really did strike me. She quotes "one who loved him and was close to him in life" (unfortunately she does not give the name of that person), who had said that after Appomattox he never did anything that "turned out for his own good ". Isn't that incredibly sad? This great soldier and man, courageous, strong-willed and loved by his men up to the point of adoration should have failed to gain personal reputation after the war?
To my mind this statement is based on his seemingly changing sides after the war, becoming a Republican and devoted follower of the Union. But was his pragmatism regarded as treason by everyone? Did anyone take the effort to ask him why he thought that "there is only one route left open, which practical men cannot fail to see"? He himself felt being judged in a most unfair way with seeing "old comrades [who] passed me on the streets without speaking." He even lost his occupation as insurance agent with a secure salary, due to being regarded as a traitor, which worried him a lot.
What do you all think, did he deserve to be treated as a traitor in public or was he just unfortunate in his actions, creating the image that he did nothing "for his own good"? Or did most people just fail to see that he was what his second wife said of him:
"I love best to think of him, not as a warrior leading his legions to victory, but as the grand citizen after the war was ended, nobly dedicating himself to the rehabilitation of his broken people, offering a brave man's homage to the flag of the established government, and standing steadfast in all the passions, prejudices, and persecutions of that unhappy period."

 

[War Horse]

"I love best to think of him, not as a warrior leading his legions to victory, but as the grand citizen after the war was ended, nobly dedicating himself to the rehabilitation of his broken people, offering a brave man's homage to the flag of the established government, and standing steadfast in all the passions, prejudices, and persecutions of that unhappy period."

What an excellent thread Thank you for starting it. I couldn't agree with Helen more. James Longstreet approached civilian life as he did his military life. Fearless and confident in his beliefs. Longstreet refused to sulk and wanted to begin making things better. He had a vision as to what was needed just as he had a vision of what type of war tactics were needed for the confederacy to be successful. I dare say that time proved him right on both accounts. Attrition finally killed the confederacies chances of independence and cooperation proved to be a key element in reconstruction. As unpopular as his views were he was convinced he was right and stood fast to his convictions. I really must read this book. Thanks again!!!

 

[Pat Young]

I'm currently reading Helen Dortch Longstreet's book "Lee and Longstreet at high tide" which is far more than just an account of the battle of Gettysburg from Longstreet's perspective. General Longstreet's second wife added to her book an account of "Longstreet the man" in which I found a quote that really did strike me. She quotes "one who loved him and was close to him in life" (unfortunately she does not give the name of that person), who had said that after Appomattox he never did anything that "turned out for his own good ". Isn't that incredibly sad? This great soldier and man, courageous, strong-willed and loved by his men up to the point of adoration should have failed to gain personal reputation after the war?
To my mind this statement is based on his seemingly changing sides after the war, becoming a Republican and devoted follower of the Union. But was his pragmatism regarded as treason by everyone? Did anyone take the effort to ask him why he thought that "there is only one route left open, which practical men cannot fail to see"? He himself felt being judged in a most unfair way with seeing "old comrades [who] passed me on the streets without speaking." He even lost his occupation as insurance agent with a secure salary, due to being regarded as a traitor, which worried him a lot.
What do you all think, did he deserve to be treated as a traitor in public or was he just unfortunate in his actions, creating the image that he did nothing "for his own good"? Or did most people just fail to see that he was what his second wife said of him:
"I love best to think of him, not as a warrior leading his legions to victory, but as the grand citizen after the war was ended, nobly dedicating himself to the rehabilitation of his broken people, offering a brave man's homage to the flag of the established government, and standing steadfast in all the passions, prejudices, and persecutions of that unhappy period."

Longstreet led black militiamen against a terrorist uprising. For that he will never be forgiven by American ****s. For the rest of us, the reality of a United States that is one country in which racial inequality is no longer the law leaves Longstreet a proud post-war legacy.

 

[War Horse]

Longstreet led black militiamen against a terrorist uprising. For that he will never be forgiven by American ****s. For the rest of us, the reality of a United States that is one country in which racial inequality is no longer the law leaves Longstreet a proud post-war legacy.

He did indeed but I don't believe he was making a statement, I believe he was doing what he believed was his duty regardless of who the opposition was.

 

[dlofting]

I think Longstreet was one of those people who approached things from an entirely practical perspective. He realized the war was lost, the southern cause was "gone" and the best thing that could be done for the people and country was to truly reunite and rebuild.

 

[nitrofd]

Sad, but the lost causes people were all over him.

 

[Allie]

I think the tide is turning - Longstreet smells a lot better to most modern people than those of his compatriots who struggled to restore racial oppression.

 

[MRB1863]

Old Pete is one of my favorite Civil War personalities! Seems to me, he performed much better than he was given credit. Some of his critics glazed over the good he did and got on a bandwagon to condemn him for negative highly publicized actions. I, personally would have been proud to have served in his command.

 

[War Horse]

Old Pete is one of my favorite Civil War personalities! Seems to me, he performed much better than he was given credit. Some of his critics glazed over the good he did and got on a bandwagon to condemn him for negative highly publicized actions. I, personally would have been proud to have served in his command.

Funny, even then the men who served under him and against him respected him until the end. The events that took place at the confederate convention stand as tribute to the respect and love his men felt for Old Pete, heck even Jefferson Davis embraced him as he stepped on stage. Jubal Early and a hand full of others took their frustrations out on him. Men that did not measure up to him in war or peace.

 

[MRB1863]

Funny, even then the men who served under him and against him respected him until the end. The events that took place at the confederate convention stand as tribute to the respect and love his men felt for Old Pete, heck even Jefferson Davis embraced him as he stepped on stage. Jubal Early and a hand full of others took their frustrations out on him. Men that did not measure up to him in war or peace.

Maybe some jealousy in some of his constituents' attempt to be heard through the din of their own deeds????

 

[FarawayFriend]

I have often wondered what it was that made him "the traitor" in the reconstruction period. Now I have found an account of General Samuel H. Moore, also in that same book:
"In 1866, when reconstruction hung over the South like a sword of Damocles, five lieutenant-generals of the Confederate
army held a meeting in New Orleans, in General Hood's room to discuss the situation and publish to the South the easiest way to bear the yoke sad fate had placed upon their necks. After discussing all the pros and cons, they unanimously
decided to accept the situation as it was, return to the Union like good and loyal citizens, and be the recipients of the offices of trust which were being given to carpet-baggers because the government could not find in the Southern States men willing to accept the offices that would have gladly been given them. In this caucus of generals, Longstreet was selected to write and publish a letter. He did it. There was a howl of protest from the uninformed people. The men who advised Longstreet to do this did not face this opposition, avoided this martyr, let him bear the odium alone. I ask Greneral Joseph Wheeler to say what he personally knows of this. I call upon Colonel W. W. Garth to say what he knows and the source of his information."
https://openlibrary.org/books/OL6945772M/Lee_and_Longstreet_at_high_tide

So it really was bad luck that Longstreet was chosen to write and publish that letter and bear the brunt of hatred of the "uninformed public". That sure was something he did without regarding if it was useful for his own good. He did it because he thought it should be done.

Thank you all for your knowledgeable comments. For some reason Longstreet is my favourite - he was a warrior, a fighter, but also a very sensitive man who was not afraid of his emotions. I'm really glad for him that in his last years he found a woman and made her his second wife, who was equally courageous and ready to fight for her beliefs!

 

[CSA Today]

Sad, but the lost causes people were all over him.

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

 

[brass napoleon]

James Longstreet approached civilian life as he did his military life. Fearless and confident in his beliefs. Longstreet refused to sulk and wanted to begin making things better.

Indeed, and there's the crux of it. There were (and always will be) petty people who prefer to just sulk and play the victim. Longstreet rose above that, and in the process won the undying enmity of those people. Somehow I don't think it ever really bothered him all that much. He was a hero both on the battlefield and off it.

 

[peteanddelmar]

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

Harsh man. Harsh.

 

[peteanddelmar]

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

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

 

[brass napoleon]

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

It's par for the course. I take it then you "liked" it by mistake?

 

[Tom Elmore]

Anyone who listens to their own conscience and attempts to do the right thing, with complete disregard for popular opinion and the ostracism that will surely result, deserves (at least) respect from those who value courage and conviction. It is truly a difficult path that few can follow. Most people prefer the comfort of staying with the herd, no matter where it leads (even to its own destruction), and are perfectly content to remain, as one politician aptly put it, well-lubricated weather vanes.

 

[Rebforever]

Longstreet led black militiamen against a terrorist uprising. For that he will never be forgiven by American ****s. For the rest of us, the reality of a United States that is one country in which racial inequality is no longer the law leaves Longstreet a proud post-war legacy.

With his continous lies.

 

[peteanddelmar]

It's par for the course. I take it then you "liked" it by mistake?

I am practicing being offended.

 

[nitrofd]

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

Longstreet is still respected at West Point, where as Arnold ' s name does not exist there.