General James Longstreet
General James Longstreet
Longstreet was born in Edgefeild District in South Carolina on January eighth, eighteen twenty one. He graduated from West Point in eighteen forty two and went straight to service. There he served until eighteen sixty one. He first saw action in the Mexican War, he was wounded in Chapultepec Mexico. For his services he received two brevets and the staff rank of a Major. He resigned his commission on June first eighteen sixty one and
joined the Confederacy. He became a General in the Civil War. His nickname was Old Pete meaning sturdy and trustworthy. He led most of the major battles in Virginia including Bullrun, Freddricsburg, and Chickmauga. He was under Robert E. Lees command, and led the First Corps under Lee also. Longstreet was a General in Gettysburg. but lost because he did not follow Lees plan of action.Gettysburg was the bloodiest battle and that had the most casualties ever fought on American soil. He was blamed in the south for the loss of the battle at Gettysburg. Gettysburg was the most
crutial mistake. Many things caused the outcome of the battle like Longstreets soldiers and officers got confused and were backtracking for half the day. Longstreet saw the union position as nearly impregnable. Lee saw
believed his army was invincible. One of his officers Jeb Stewart went on a wild goose chase, he was sospost to inform Lee but didnt. Lee had no eyes and ears to tell him what was going on.
After the war he befriended with Ulysses S. Grant and joined the Republican party. He was criticized by former confederates