James Longstreet

James Longstreet was born January 8^th, 1821, in Edgefield District, South Carolina. He lived on a cotton plantation with his siblings and parents, James and Mary Ann. James’ father gave him the nickname “Peter” because of his “rocklike” personality. Peter, or Old Pete, was to stick with Longstreet for the rest of his life. Longstreet’s father chose the military career for James so he sent him to Augusta, Georgia, where he would stay with his uncle and study at Richmond County Academy. He lived there for about eight years. Longstreet’s father, James, died in 1833. Some historians say that Longstreet then moved to north Alabama with his mother, while others say that he stayed with his uncle in Georgia.

A few years later, Longstreet attended West Point. He was very popular with his classmates, but hard to discipline. He finished 54^th out of 56 students, in 1842. While he was there he met many men who would later become a big part of the Civil War. After graduating, Longstreet spent his first two years in Missouri. He spent some of that time serving with Ulysses S. Grant. Then, in 1846 or 1847 he served in the Mexican-American War. On September 12, 1847, Longstreet was wounded in the thigh at Chapultepec, Mexico. After the Mexican-American War, James Married Maria Louisa Garland in 1848. They stayed married for forty years and had ten children. Soon, he resigned from the U.S. army to side with the Confederacy.

In 1861, Longstreet was appointed brigadier general. He was in charge of three Virginia regiments under Gen. P.T.G. Beauregard, the 1^st, 11^th, and the 17^th. Longstreet’s first action was July 18^th, 1861. He played a small part but endured U.S. artillery for nine hours. Then, when the Union troops started to retreat, Longstreet was infuriated because he couldn’t pursue them. He started swearing and threw his hat down in the dirt! Later, he was promoted to major general on October 7^th. He was given the command of one division.

Three of Longstreet’s children died of scarlet fever in January, 1862. This affected Longstreet drastically. He stopped playing poker and partying with his fellow soldiers, and he became a devout Episcopalian.

At the Battle of Seven Pines, Longstreet blamed General Benjamin Huger for marching his troops the wrong direction down the wrong road. At the Seven Day’s Battle, Longstreet was given control of 15 brigades, about one half of Lee’s army. After that battle, he was established as Lee’s major Lieutenant. Longstreet was Lee’s defensive fighter while Jackson was the offensive. Jackson would often be described as the hammer and Longstreet the anvil.