James Longstreet

Date of Birth: January 8, 1821

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: January 2, 1904

Biography

James Longstreet was an American military officer, most notably a Confederate general during the American Civil War. Born in Edgefield District, South Carolina, and raised in Georgia, Longstreet was a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He served with distinction in the Mexican-American War before joining the Confederate cause at the outbreak of the Civil War. Longstreet became one of General Robert E. Lee’s most trusted commanders, earning the nickname “Old War Horse.” He played significant roles in major battles such as Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and Chickamauga. After the war, Longstreet’s career took a controversial turn as he became a Republican and supported Reconstruction, leading to estrangement from many of his former comrades. He later held various diplomatic and administrative positions in the U.S. government. Longstreet passed away in 1904, leaving behind a complex legacy as a soldier and statesman.

5 Interesting Facts about James Longstreet

1. James Longstreet was one of the few Confederate generals to join the Republican Party after the Civil War.

2. He was severely wounded at the Battle of the Wilderness in 1864, which limited his combat role for the remainder of the war.

3. Longstreet was partly blamed for the Confederate defeat at the Battle of Gettysburg, particularly for the failed Pickett’s Charge.

4. After the war, he converted to Catholicism, becoming one of the few high-ranking Catholic officers in the post-war South.

5. He served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire and held various other government positions, including U.S. Marshal.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from James Longstreet

1. “The soldier who fights to death never dies, but the soldier who fights for existence never truly exists.”

2. “If I had my choice, I would kill every reporter in the world, but I am sure we would be getting reports from Hell before breakfast.”

3. “In the army, we get to know each other better than brothers; we share the same hardships, the same dangers.”

4. “There is no necessity for bloodshed and war. The South can gain a victory complete without it.”

5. “I know what you are going to say, and I know it is right, but in the same breath, I will tell you that I will not do it.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

James Longstreet did not achieve significant financial wealth. His highest net worth is not well-documented, but he lived a modest life post-war involving various government roles.

Children

James Longstreet and his wife, Maria Louisa Garland Longstreet, had ten children, though not all survived to adulthood. Their children included: 1. James Longstreet Jr. 2. Augustus Baldwin Longstreet 3. Mary Anne Longstreet 4. Robert Lee Longstreet 5. William Dent Longstreet 6. James Longstreet III 7. Garland Longstreet 8. Maria Louise Longstreet 9. Fitz Randolph Longstreet 10. Anne Longstreet