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A Brief History of General Longstreet

James Longstreet was born in Edgefield District in South Carolina
on Jan. 8, 1821. He graduated at West Point in 1842, became a
Second Lt. July 1, 1842, and served in Texas during 1845-1846.
He also served in the Mexican War 1846-1847. He was promoted
to First Lt. Feb. 23, 1847 and served in the West until 1861. Made
Captain, Dec. 7, 1852, then Major Gen. Confederate Army in 1861
serving in Northern VA until April 1863. He served in Tennessee
until 1864. We was minister to Turkey in 1880.
General James Longstreet died Jan. 2, 1904. He was hardheaded,
solid, and he looked it. His mood was usually somber. He seldom
spoke unnecessarily. His weather-stained clothes, splashed boots
and heavy black hat gave a certain fierce aspect to the man.
General Lee said “the iron endurance of General Longstreet is
most extraordinary: he seems to require neither food nor sleep.”
As a fighter he was superb, the best fighter in the Army of Northern
Virginia, the soldiers called him. His soldiers believed in him
and trusted him. He spoke straight out to them, as if he meant it.
Sometimes it was with a heavy sarcasm, as at Gettysburg, to an
officer who complained of not being able to bring up his troops:
“Very well, never mind, then, General; just let them remain where
they are; the enemy’s going to advance and will spare you the
trouble.” More often he gave them sound, direct, practical advice,
of the kind to put heart into a man: “Let officers and men, even
under the most formidable fire, preserve a quiet demeanor
and self-possessed temper. Keep cool, obey orders, and
aim low. Remember, while you are doing this, and
driving the enemy before you, your comrades may 678.943.1351
be relied upon to support you on either side, and are
in turn relying upon you.” The same imperturbable OFFICE
coolness that distinguished Longstreet in actual 706.982.4094
fighting characterized him as a leader. He was never
anxious, never flurried. Victory could not over excite CELL
him with triumph, nor defeat with confusion.
He made every preparation, took every
precaution, was ready for difficulties and doug@lanier-hvac.net
indifferent to dangers. He led a Georgian
regiment in a charge against a battery,
hat in hand and in front of everybody. 1560 Monroe Drive
“Adapted from information
obtained from the Longstreet Cafe Website.” Gainesville, GA 30507

DOUG BRADFIELD

Service Manager