Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-11-12
Gen. Longstreet on the Battle of
Gettysburg.

Almost everybody engaged in it has had some
thing to say about the battle of Gettysburg, and
there has seldom been q contest where de-
tails were so thoroughly known over which
there has been so much dispute The re-
ports of the two commanding generals are not ex-
pected to agree to the and resources for
defeat and victory, each making his estimate from
different point of view, and mentally influenced
TO exsgerate his encmy's forces and they do not
in this case, although they were made by men OF
unblemished personal honor as Gen. Meade and
Gen. Lee. But not only is there conflict be-
tween the views Of the Union and rebel suthorl-
tiles, but the subordinate commanders on both
sides have been engaged in discussion as to their
relative shares of the victory aud defeat Gems.
Hancock and Howard, Generals Ewe and Hill
have all had their say in magazines or newspapers
and the controversial history of the battle has been
greater thar that of Waterloo. The latest contri-
button is that of Gen. James Longstreet, the vet
eran confederate commander, who was one of the
.oundest and best OF the southern Officers aud
who, after Gen. Lee had the most important share
in the battle. He wrote To defend himself from
the charge of tardiness, made not by his COM
mander-In- chief, but by some of his subordnstes,
who very likely wished TO involve IN still farther
politics after the war earned him the hatred OF the
Inveerate rebels.
Gen. Longstreet's article is a very interesting
one Perfectly loyal in his admiration OF Gen.
Lee, yet he makes it known as Gen. Lee acknowl-
edged himself, that the rebel defeat was due to
violation of the plan of the campaign which was
to be offensive IN strategy, but purely defensive
ia tactics that is 10 say. while invading the enc
my's territory TO take up positions that would
compel attack, when they came into contact. In
aNAls laTl
ing into PENNSYLVANIA like one walking in the
dark, and the encounter with the Federal troops
OR the first of July Yas almost entirely accidental.
The next day and Oh the third day Gen. Lee COM
United the capital error of attacking superior
force with inferior one, with scarcely any at
tempt to defeat his enemy 10 DETAIL aud from that
attack the confederate Iegions were hurled back
shattered and broken, and from that time never
could be made to charge as an army, whatever
they migh do in divisions and brigades. From
the terrific lesson poured with shot and shell from
Cemetery Heights on the third day Of the battle
they never fully recovered. Gen. Longstreet
gives the key to the mystery OF Gen. Lee attack
by saying that he was under the Influence of sub
dued excitement which sometimes took possess
ion of him. "when the hunt was up, and threat
ened his superb equipose. Lee had not the su
preme impertul ability OF Grant, which never yield
ed under any circumstances, and this time he
fairly lost his bead in the Juror OF fight
Gen. Longstreet to all appearance July vindi-
the second days fight, but, admits that he
differed from General Lee as to the advisa-
bllty OF the attack, which perhaps, to some
extent, did unconsciously affect the vigor OF
his movement. Still the charges of his corps on
that day were among the most desperate OF the
war; and as has been said, his commander never
intimated any fault with his promptness. What
ever hope there might have been OF victory from
the second days attack, there was none from that
of the third Gen. Longstreet relates that he
met Lee In the morning, and fearing that he still
might have the disposition to attack, suggested
plan of mannuvres that would compel Meade to
lake the offensive. Lee replied, pointing his hand
TO Cemetery Ridge, "the enemy Is there and am
going to strike him. LoDgstreet demonstrated
strongly, but with no avail. Tue fatal charge was
made by Picket's division Of fifteen thousand
men. Longstreet was overcome when Pickett
asked if he should advance, that he could only
move his head in affirmation, and in few min
ates alter, the division was no more, destroyed In
the blaze of fire that swept down the slope Of
Cemetery Ridge. 1t was the worst error in the
military career of Lee, as it was the severest
slaughter the rebel army suffered Froci-
dence journal.