- Joined
- Feb 5, 2017
Just got my February 2018 Civil War Times. This articles is by Kristopher D. White
During the winter of 1862-63, Lt General James Longstreet's wife came to visit him and stayed close to the First Corps camps. Because she did not stay in the military camp proper, Longstreet rode to see her every morning. Longstreet's ride carried him through the huts of the famed "Texas Brigade." Every day that there was snow, the men of the brigade lined the officer's street, where they "saluted him with a shower of snow-balls." At first "Old Pete" took it in stride. But after a number of these occasions, he grew tired of the barrages. After the next snowfall, Longstreet approached the camp and found the Lone Star troops ready to let fly with their icy bombs. Before the Texans could unleash their volleys, "he reined up his horse, and said to them very quietly: "Throw your snow-balls men, if you want to, as much as you please; but if one of them touches me, not a man in the brigade shall have a furlough this winter. Remember that!" According to his aide, "there was no more snow-balling for General Longstreet's benefit."
During the winter of 1862-63, Lt General James Longstreet's wife came to visit him and stayed close to the First Corps camps. Because she did not stay in the military camp proper, Longstreet rode to see her every morning. Longstreet's ride carried him through the huts of the famed "Texas Brigade." Every day that there was snow, the men of the brigade lined the officer's street, where they "saluted him with a shower of snow-balls." At first "Old Pete" took it in stride. But after a number of these occasions, he grew tired of the barrages. After the next snowfall, Longstreet approached the camp and found the Lone Star troops ready to let fly with their icy bombs. Before the Texans could unleash their volleys, "he reined up his horse, and said to them very quietly: "Throw your snow-balls men, if you want to, as much as you please; but if one of them touches me, not a man in the brigade shall have a furlough this winter. Remember that!" According to his aide, "there was no more snow-balling for General Longstreet's benefit."