Today in History, January 8, 1821:
James Longstreet is born in near Edgefield, South Carolina.
Longstreet is an excellent example of the paradox of the 19th century. He graduated West Point, fought gallantly in the Mexican-American War at the Battle of Chapultepec; he was close friends with Ulysses Grant, serving as best man at Grant’s wedding.
After such loyal service to the US Army, in 1861 he resigned his commission and joined the Confederacy.
He fought in most of the major battles in the eastern area and some in the west. Aside from Robert E. Lee, he was likely the most respected and successful Southern General.
Yet after the war, he determined to do the best he could by his countrymen. He joined the Republican Party and returned his loyalty to the government.
The Republican party had been the entity that had pursued the war in the North, so his detractors excoriated him for this act…but in his statements he wanted to use the power of the Republican party to maintain Southern rights and desires.
Jubal Early and others claimed he was responsible for the loss at Gettysburg (he was not).
Much like Lee, whether you agree with what he fought for or not, Longstreet appeared to be a “Southern Gentleman”, and gained the admiration of the soldiers that served with him.
Mark Loves History! 