Funny comment by James Longstreet

[EricJacobson]

I just happened to come across a post-war comment by James Longstreet that some might find enjoyable or funny. In 1902, Longstreet visited West Point and happened to see Joe Wheeler, who was dressed in his blue uniform from the Spanish-American War. Longstreet said, "Joe, I hope that Almighty God take me before he does you, for I want to be within the gates of hell to hear Jubal Early cuss you in the blue uniform."

Now that's funny stuff.

 

[unionblue]

EricJacobson,



Thanks for posting this.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

 

[ole]

That IS funny. I never thought of Longstreet as having much of a sense of humor. Thanks.

Ole

 

[M E Wolf]

Dear EricJacobson;

Thank you for the post!

I did know from reading General Moxley Sorrel's memories of the Civil War; that he did have a good sense of humor.

He certainly had it in his older years.

Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf

 

[Glorybound]

I'm certain it's a funny comment, but I heard a whooshing sound as it soared right over my head. No disrespect intended towards anyone, especially Eric, whose knowledge of the CW far exceeds mine. I don't get it.



Lee

 

[M E Wolf]

Dear GloryBound;

General Joe Wheeler was a CSA General. So, when the Civil War is over; the Spanish-American War comes and Wheeler joins the military at the rank of General but; this time as a American Soldier--in Union Blue uniform like appearance with very minor changes from the ACW's Union Blue uniform that they fought against.

Thus, the teasing by Longstreet; as General Early was CSA and 'lost causer' and often attacked Longstreet for the loss at Gettysburg. Wheeler and Early to have been friends; the tease would have been Early rolling in his grave seeing his friend Joe Wheeler in a Yankee Uniform.

So, Longstreet is saying he wants to witness Early cussing out Wheeler for going to the 'other side'; when he is in 'hell.'

Just some thoughts.

Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf

 

[AmBu]

I'm certain it's a funny comment, but I heard a whooshing sound as it soared right over my head. No disrespect intended towards anyone, especially Eric, whose knowledge of the CW far exceeds mine. I don't get it.



Lee

Lee;

The Southern people had become quite allergic to dark blue during the war, and so Joe's ability to tolerate it meant he had been inoculated against Blue Fever, thus making him a federal in the eyes of Jubal Anderson...

Hope this helps!

AmBu

 

[Glorybound]

Ok, thanks. Chronologically I wasn't sure how the Spanish-American war fit in with the national historic timeline. In other words I didn't know when the Spanish-American war was. Now it makes sense. I need to read some history after the CW I reckon.



Lee

 

[ole]

It had been 37 years since the end of the Civil War -- they were both old men at the meeting. During the interim, James Longstreet had become a Republican Congressman and Fighting Joe wore blue (figuratively -- soldiers wore tan -- he was likely wearing dress blues)
during the Spanish-American War in Cuba (ca. 1898).

Longstreet had gone through years of abuse by Jubal Early and his crowd 1) for causing Lee to lose at Gettysburg, and 2) for being a turncoat. What began as a post-war diatribe in defense of Lee morphed into the "Lost Cause" -- a post-war defense of the Confederacy. In a sense, Early was the father of the lost cause. He certainly would have cussed out another turncoat.

By the way, Early was a Virginian opposed to Virginia's secession. After secession, he became one of the Confederacy's ardent supporters.

Ole

 

[larry_cockerham]

The cause might be dead, but it ain't lost. The south, hopefully united with the north, shall rise again. There's too much at stake to let it go; things like stupidity, ignorance and prejudice still need to be subdued.

 

[Latigerreb]

Dear GloryBound;
Thus, the teasing by Longstreet; as General Early was CSA and 'lost causer' and often attacked Longstreet for the loss at Gettysburg. Wheeler and Early to have been friends; the tease would have been Early rolling in his grave seeing his friend Joe Wheeler in a Yankee Uniform.
M. E. Wolf

Appearently, while leading the US Cav during the Span Am war, the Spanish were retireing and Gen Wheeler yelled to the troops (something like this, I do not have quote in front of me) ' Hurry men we got them d$#m Yankees on the run.' The Spanish were wearing bluish colored uniforms. :laugh1: :laugh1:

JIM Tee

 

[gary]

I didn't know Longstreet said that to Wheeler. Thanks!

 

[ole]

I didn't either Gary. I still don't, but it's to good a story to ask for sources -- that would spoil it.

Ole

 

[timewalker]

I didn't either Gary. I still don't, but it's to good a story to ask for sources -- that would spoil it.

Ole

"When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."

 

[EricJacobson]

"When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."

The source is Ellsworth Eliot's book West Point in the Confederacy, page 222.

 

[Crazy Delawares]

Longstreet had a sense of humor. Didn't he, Jackson, Lee and Stuart have a party for Lee and Jackson when it was their birthdays (Jan. 19 & 21) after Fredericksburg in Jan. '63? I think the report by aides was something akin to an uproarious time was had by all...even the normally taciturn Jackson.

 

[larry_cockerham]

The source is Ellsworth Eliot's book West Point in the Confederacy, page 222.

Seems to me that ain't exactly a source? Was it a quote from an eye-witness or a newspaper article? As we all know, if it was printed in the paper, it must be true. (tic) By the way, I greatly enjoyed your presentation at Carter House Nov. 30, except for my wet nose. Thank you for taking time to commemorate that event.

 

[Glorybound]

Longstreet had a sense of humor.

So, Longstreet and Sherman are walking into a bar in Baltimore, and, get this, Longstreet says to Sherman he says, " Hey, why don't yo....

Oh...sorry, got it all wrong. Never mind.



Lee

 

[RoadDog]

Great Story

Sure enjoyed the story. Wonder what kind of cussin' Old Jube would have used? Did they use the "F" word back then?

Thanks, Ole, for putting it in perspective.

 

[Baggage Handler #2]

Sure enjoyed the story. Wonder what kind of cussin' Old Jube would have used? Did they use the "F" word back then?

Thanks, Ole, for putting it in perspective.

I once had a thorough dictionary claiming the word originated among the Dutch cattle drivers around 1600, IIRC. The only words of profanity they didn't have available would have been more modern words, like "Microsoft Vista."