Longstreet Why was Gen. James Longstreet ‘widely condemned’ after Civil War?

General Longstreet was an unfortunate scapegoat for the strategic and tactical mistakes of Robert E. Lee. However, Lee cannot be held accountable for his actions, even though he takes responsibility for some of them, especially the Pickett's Charge debacle, since he has been placed upon the great throne of the opostheosis much like George Washington in Virginia history. Therefore, logically Longstreet has become the historical fall guy and the receiver of all of the opprobrium directed his way and being the great Southern gentleman quietly accepts this burden whether rightly or wrongly for the sake of his popular and godly commanding officer. David.
 
Longstreet became a Republican after the war and served in various government positions. He also commanded New Orleans police in suppressing a **** group intent on battling the state Republican government during Reconstruction. On top of which, the Lost Cause movement used Longstreet's alleged failure during Gettysburg as a foil to protect Lee's leadership. Sounds like enough reasons to be used by those who would condemn Longstreet.
 
Longstreet became a Republican after the war and served in various government positions. He also commanded New Orleans police in suppressing a **** group intent on battling the state Republican government during Reconstruction. On top of which, the Lost Cause movement used Longstreet's alleged failure during Gettysburg as a foil to protect Lee's leadership. Sounds like enough reasons to be used by those who would condemn Longstreet.

As quoted above, Longstreet did plenty to draw the ire of the Lost Cause proponents in the years immediately after the war. But for me, there is more. Longstreet's stories about some battles and battlefield decisions changed frequently during the decades after the war. While he portrayed himself as bitterly unhappy with some of Lee's combat decisions (Gettysburg, for example), he turned around and did much the same thing at Chickamauga. Longstreet was ambitious beyond his talent, but he out-lived most of his contemporaries and was able to paint himself as he wished.
 
Longstreet became a Republican after the war and served in various government positions. He also commanded New Orleans police in suppressing a **** group intent on battling the state Republican government during Reconstruction. On top of which, the Lost Cause movement used Longstreet's alleged failure during Gettysburg as a foil to protect Lee's leadership. Sounds like enough reasons to be used by those who would condemn Longstreet.
General Lee stood on his own 2 feet and took complete responsibility of the lose of Gettysburg. Day 2 and day 3, Longstreet was a foot dragger getting his job done. And the lose wasn't totally Longstreets fault.
 
Longstreet was the perfect foil for Dabney Maury, Jubal Early, the Southern Historical Society and the creators of the Marble Man Myth. Longstreet was a man beset by injuries, political choices and being selected as the scapegoat for the defeat of the Army of Northern Virginia. I have always believed that Longstreet was the poor ole bull in the ring assailed on all sides by The Lost Myth believers who used him to protect Lee's reputation and image. He created many of his own troubles with his candid, though not always correct, opinions and writings.
Regards
David
 
Longstreet was the perfect foil for Dabney Maury, Jubal Early, the Southern Historical Society and the creators of the Marble Man Myth. Longstreet was a man beset by injuries, political choices and being selected as the scapegoat for the defeat of the Army of Northern Virginia. I have always believed that Longstreet was the poor ole bull in the ring assailed on all sides by The Lost Myth believers who used him to protect Lee's reputation and image. He created many of his own troubles with his candid, though not always correct, opinions and writings.
Regards
David
I think the main reason his men turned on Longstreet was because he became a scalawag.
 
Longstreet was called a scalawag after being named Surveyor of Customs for New Orleans by President Grant.

This was the same man denied a pardon from President Johnston because of the trouble he gave the Union during the War. He was as loyal a soldier and patriot to the Confederacy as any man. His performance far surpassed Maury, Early and D. H. Hill on the field of battle and all his other opponents. Longstreet was beloved by his soldiers and that pretty much says it all for any general.
Regards
David
 
Longstreet was called a scalawag after being named Surveyor of Customs for New Orleans by President Grant.

This was the same man denied a pardon from President Johnston because of the trouble he gave the Union during the War. He was as loyal a soldier and patriot to the Confederacy as any man. His performance far surpassed Maury, Early and D. H. Hill on the field of battle and all his other opponents. Longstreet was beloved by his soldiers and that pretty much says it all for any general.
Regards
David
His men may have loved him but they dang near kilt ‘m.
 
General Lee stood on his own 2 feet and took complete responsibility of the lose of Gettysburg. Day 2 and day 3, Longstreet was a foot dragger getting his job done. And the lose wasn't totally Longstreets fault.

Yes, Lee took full responsibility for his actions at Gettysburg, which was something his post-war defenders in the Lost Cause movement did not want to or refused to acknowledge. Easier to look for scapegoats like Longstreet or Ewell.
 
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