Longstreet The Old Soldier's Memory: Longstreet's Power of Recall

lelliott19

Brigadier General
Moderator
* OFFICIAL *
CWT PRESENTER
Forum Host
Silver Patron
Regtl. Staff Chickamauga 2018
Joined
Mar 15, 2013
1569631292516.png

In the corridor of his hotel, the white-haired old man encountered United States District Attorney Henry S. Foote, whom he had not seen for more than thirty years. The last time they had met General Longstreet was in command of a division of the southern army at the battle of Chickamauga. Foote, on that memorable occasion, was inspector general on the staff of General Buckner.

El Paso Daily Herald., October 29, 1898, 3d Edition, page 5.
A few weeks ago General James A. Longstreet stopped for a short time in El Paso while en route to the City of Mexico. The San Francisco News Letter has the following in regard to the old soldier's memory:

Unbowed by the weight of years, continually rejuvenated by the active life which from choice is his daily portion, Maj. Gen. James A. Longstreet, the celebrated ex-confederate leader and recently appointed United States commissioner of railroads, is actually, if not ostensibly, the youngest man in his party of inspection.

In the corridor of his hotel, the white-haired old man encountered United States District Attorney Henry S. Foote, whom he had not seen for more than thirty years. The last time they had met General Longstreet was in command of a division of the southern army at the battle of Chickamauga. Foote, on that memorable occasion, was inspector general on the staff of General Buckner.

Foote glanced inquiringly at his old commander, whom, of course, he recognized from portraits and identified from his known presence at the hotel. But he had no expectation that Gen. Longstreet would remember him. However, as Foote gazed at the aged commissioner, he was delighted to observe a look of recognition in the latter's eyes. "Good morning, general," the district attorney said, when he saw that the general remembered his face, although, of course, the old commander would not remember his name. Foote drew himself up and saluted in true military fashion.

"Ah, Henry," replied Gen. Longstreet, returning the salute, and speaking as if the meeting had been after an absence of thirty days instead of as many years. And then, to the infinite delight of the district attorney, the general proved his recollection by reciting a number of incidents known only to the confederate officers relating to that day at Chickamauga. "Why the general is a mere lad," said Foote, "And he makes me feel like an infant in arms."
1569630655176.png

Henry Stuart Foote, Jr.
(1838 - April 1905) FindAGrave Memorial
1569633040171.png

Sources: El Paso Daily Herald., October 29, 1898, 3d Edition, page 5.
OP Image: Public Domain from wikipedia
 
Last edited:
"General J B Longstreet and family are visiting some relative of the General's, at Flint, Michigan."
View attachment 327313
Delaware Gazette. (Delaware, Ohio), August 23, 1867, page 2.

El Paso Daily Herald., October 29, 1898, 3d Edition, page 5.
A few weeks ago General James A. Longstreet stopped for a short time in El Paso while en route to the City of Mexico. The San Francisco News Letter has the following in regard to the old soldier's memory

Isn't it funny?
One newspaper has him as J. B. Longstreet, the other as James A. Longstreet, while Longstreet had no middle name at all!
 
Back
Top