lelliott19
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In June of 1893, at age 72, General James Longstreet returned to the battlefield at Antietam to assist the "Antietam Board" in determining accurate battle lines. Apparently, Longstreet's return to Antietam is not as well known as his return visit to Gettysburg. Anyway, over the course of the visit, Longstreet wound up sharing a whole lot more than just the location of his troops, as recorded by a correspondent of the Washington Post.
"Recently a party of ex-soldiers composed of General Heth and Colonel Stearns, the government commission for marking the battle lines [Antietam Board]; General Longstreet and Colonel Latrobe, of his staff; Major W. H. Mills; Mr. C. F. Cobb, one of McClellan's scouts in the Antietam campaign, and the subscriber visited the battlefield of Antietam. General Longstreet and Colonel Latrobe went up with the commissioners to definitely settle the positions of some of the general's troops during the battle of September 17, 1862.
Notwithstanding his seventy-two years, General Longstreet is clear and vigorous in mind, with a wonderful memory. Physically, he is not so well off: one arm is almost totally paralyzed from the gunshot wound inflicted by his own men in the Wilderness, and among other infirmities of old age, he is very deaf, making necessary the use of a speaking tube. His eye is clear and his step measurably firm. He still enjoys a good dinner, and is a genial raconteur in conversation.
He talked to our party unreservedly on every conceivable phase of the war. He has long been engaged upon his autobiography, the manuscript of which is now ready for the printer. His visit North was mainly to arrange for its publication and for some map work.....His opinions and criticisms were so important and interesting that I felt warranted in taking them down......" <Stay tuned for Longstreet's opinions on Early, Ewell, Hill, Jackson, Jeff Davis, and more. Good stuff!>
Sources: Ezra A. Carman papers, Manuscripts and Archives Division, New York Public Library.
Article reprinted from the Washington Post of June 1893, the article appeared in The Times Dispatch. (Richmond, VA.), November 12, 1911, page 3.
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