James
Longstreet was
born in Edgefield District, South Carolina on 8th January, 1821. After
graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West
Point in 1842 he joined the United States
Army and saw action in the Mexican War
(1846-48).
On the outbreak of the American Civil War
he joined the Confederate Army and commanded
the 4th Brigade at Bull Run (June,
1861). He also led his men at Fair Oaks
where he was criticised for making serious mistakes during the battle.
He fought well at Antietam (September,
1862) and afterwards was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general.
He also led his men at Fredericksburg
(November/December, 1862), Chancellorsville
(May 1863) and Gettysburg (June/July,
1863).
Longstreet was seriously wounded during the Wilderness
Campaign but resumed command in November 1864. Longstreet was
with Robert E. Lee had surrendered to Ulysses
S. Grant at Appomattox on 9th April, 1865.
After the war Longstreet controversially joined the Republican
Party and served as U.S. minister to Turkey (1880-81). Longstreet's
memoirs, From Manassas
to Appomattox, was published in 1896. He also served
as commissioner of Pacific Railways (1898-1904).
James Longstreet died in Gainesville, Georgia, on 2nd January, 1904.
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