From Manassas to Appomattox

FROM MANASSAS TO APPOMATTOX
JAMES LONGSTREET

This on-line edition of Lieutenant-General James Longstreet's memoirs is based directly on the 1912 second edition published by Lippincott, Philadelphia. General Longstreet, who began the American Civil War in New Mexico, served with great distinction throughout the course of the conflict. His chief claim to fame was as commander of the Confederate Army's First Corps, which in its various incarnations fought through most of the major wartime campaigns.

After the war, a clique of former Confederate officers began blaming General Longstreet for the army's defeat at Gettysburg. The most vocal instigators behind this slur campaign engaged in a great deal of partisan sniping at General Longstreet. It should be noted that this was done after General Lee's death — when Lee could no longer gainsay the critics — and after many of these people had begun careers in the Senate and Congress. Below is offered an item from Lee's post-war correspondence which leaves no doubt about his opinion of Longstreet:

"You must remember me very kindly to Mrs. Longstreet and all your children. I have not had an opportunity yet to return the compliment she paid me. I had, while in Richmond, a great many inquiries after you, and learned that you intended commencing business in New Orleans. If you become as good a merchant as you were a soldier, I shall be content. No one will then excel you, and no one can wish you more success and more happiness than I. My interest and affection for you will never cease, and my prayers are always offered for your prosperity."
Robert E. Lee, January 19, 1866.

Preface

From New Mexico to Manassas
Chapter 2a · Chapter 2b
The War-Cloud—Appointed Brigadier-General—Description of the Field of Manassas, or Bull Run—Battle of Blackburn's Ford—Early's Mistake—Under Fire of Friend and Foe.

Battle of Manassas, or Bull Run
Chapter 3a · Chapter 3b
Commanders on both Sides— Analysis of the Fight—Superb Work of the Federal Artillery—Christening of " Stonewall Jackson"—McDowell's Gallant Effort to recover Lost Power—Criticism of McDowell.

Robert E. Lee in Command
Chapter 9
The Great General's Assignment not at first assuring to the Army— He makes the Acquaintance of his Lieutenants—Calls a Council—Gains Confidence by saying Nothing—"A Little Humor now and then"—J. E. B. Stuart's Daring Reconnoissance around the Union Army.

Fighting Along the Chickahominy
Chapter 10a · Chapter 10b · Chapter 10c
Positions on the Morning of July 2—General Hood appeals for Permission to turn the Federal Left—Desperate Charges against an Earnest Adversary—Hood wounded— Quiet along the Lines of other Confederate Commands—Evidence against the Alleged Order for " Battle at Sunrise"—The " Order " to Ewell was Discretionary.

The Battle of Sharpsburg, or Antietam
Chapter 18a · Chapter 18b
Bloodiest Single Day of the War—Comparison of Casualties—Many Officers among the Fallen early in the Day—Around Dunker Chapel—Fall of General G. B. Anderson—General Richardson mortally wounded—General D. H. Hill's Third Horse killed under him.

Battle of Fredericksburg
Chapter 22
Description of the Field—Marye's Heights—Federals under Hot Fire enter Fredericksburg—Gallant Officers and Men— Ninety-seven killed or wounded in the Space of Fifty Yards—General Burnside's Plan of Battle.

Gettysburg—First Day
Chapter 26a · Chapter 26b
Positions on the Eve of the First Day—" The Eyes of the Army" sadly needed—A Description of the Famous Battlefield—Death of General John F. Reynolds—The Fight on Seminary Ridge—Conditions at the Close of the First Day's Fight.

Gettysburg—Second Day
Chapter 27a · Chapter 27b · Chapter 27c
Positions on the Morning of July 2—General Hood appeals for Permission to turn the Federal Left—Desperate Charges against an Earnest Adversary—Hood wounded— Quiet along the Lines of other Confederate Commands—Evidence against the Alleged Order for " Battle at Sunrise"—The " Order " to Ewell was Discretionary.

Gettysburg—Third Day
Chapter 28a · Chapter 28b · Chapter 28c
The Stroke of Arms that shook the Continent—Longstreet opposed the Attack as planned and made—The Confederate Column of Assault-Charge of Generals Pickett, Trimble, and Pettigrew—Armistead falls by the Side of the Federal Guns—Where rested the Responsibility for Disaster?-Controverted Points.

The Battle of Chickamauga
Chapter 31a · Chapter 31b
Tactical Features—Repeated and Determined Front Assaults—Hood's Brigades surged through the Forest against the Covered Infantry and Artillery— Hood wounded—First Confederate Victory in the West, and one of the Bloodiest Battles of the War—Losses.

Failure to Follow Success
Chapter 32a · Chapter 32b
Longstreet differs with General Bragg as to Movements of Pursuit— The Confederates on Lookout Mountain—Federals gain Comfortable Positions around it—Bragg seeks Scapegoats—General Bragg ignores Signal-Service Reports and is surprised—Night Attack beyond Lookout Mountain—Colonel Bratton's Clever Work.

Appomattox
Chapter 43a · Chapter 43b
Some of General Lee's Officers say to him that "Further Resistance is Hopeless"—Longstreet does not approve—General Grant calls for Surrender—Correspondence of Generals Lee and Grant—Morning of April 9—Custer demands Surrender of Longstreet—Beminded of Irregularity, and that he was "in the Enemy's Lines"—Capitulation.

Post-Bellum Pendant
Chapter 44
Old Friends and their Kindness—General Grant—In Business in New Orleans—Political Unfriendliness—Cause of Criticism of Military Career—Appointed Surveyor of Customs—The Old Nurse.