The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-08-14
Letter to the Philadelphia Times.
GAINESVILLE, Ga, July %.

GAINESVILLE, Ga, July %.
If you should happen to find yourself
in this little mountain town-and you
could not we'll find yourself in cooler
place-and you were 10 drop in at the
dingy postofice-and you could not we'll
drop in at dingier one-you would, in
all probability, meet with surprise
when you inquired for your letters. In
stead of the hurried, pert and inquisitive
apparition that pops up at the call-hole
of the average country postoffice when a
strange voice is heard, you would be con-
fronted with deliberate and noble face.
Through the little window you would
see large, well-shaped head, a pair of
brave, frank eyes, q strong, expressive
mouth, massive jaws, silken moustache
and whiskers almost as white and worn
asBurnside's, the whole fine in tone and
fibre, sristocratic in every detail, and
carrying singular impression of power
and dignity; you would then be looking
into the eyes Of the most accomplished
soldier on the Southern side of the late
war, the nan that led the Southern
troops in the first real battle of that gi-
gantic struggle, Lees most trusted and
best loved lieutenant, the "bull dog" of
the Army ofVirginia-Gen. James Long
street. You would watch him with in
terest, remark his striking likeness to
King William of Prussia, thank him
for his courteous reply to your inquiries,
and then step out and inquire about
him.
Gen. Longstreet is Georgian. 1t is
true that he was born Just across the
line in South Carolina, but his family is
Georgian snd his home has been in
Georgia. The Longstreets have always
been considerable people of intelligence
and authority. They have been distin-
guished in the pulpit, on the bench and
in letters. Judge Longstreet is the au-
thor of the Georgia Scenes" the best
character sketch book probably ever pro-
duced in this country. Gen. Longstreet
was born in 1920, and entered the West
Point Academy when he was 1S years of
age. In 1912 he graduated and entered
the army. He served with distinction in
the Mexican war and won two breyet
promotions. He was made captain for
gallant conduct" after the battle of
Churubusco, breveted major for gallantry
at Elmolino del Rey, and was "distin-
guished" in Gen. Scott's official report of
the assault on Chepultepec.
A MAN BORN A SOLDIER.
It will be seen, therefore, that he has
had nothing but military training and no
experience save that gained on the bat
tlefeld OF in camp. He is a soldier by
instinct, education, practice and habit.
There is no man whose opinions on the
conduct of the war have more weight
with thoughtful and competent people.
Of unusually strong, broad mind, having
devoted his leisure to the study Of war
as science and his business hours to the
prosecution Of war as fact, being 80
thoroughly military in his habits that
the soldier always rose above the parti-
san and gave him clear-eyed rather than
iaundiced vision, his opinions are entitled
to weight. Beyond this he was the most
intimate friend, probably, that Gen. Lee
ever had, and he had thelucl, or i'll luck,
of being the chief actor in at least two of
the decisive battles of the war.
I had the pleasure ofa long and easy
talk with Gen. Longstreet concerning
the conduct of the warts decisive bat
ties, its leading actors, its blunders and
its brilliant points.
Said Gen. Longstreet, erect military
and precise in his manner, but courteous
always: 81 was paymaster in the q. S.
Army when the trouble between the
States began. I had the rank of major
and was stationed in New Mexico. I
viewed from my distant point of observa-
ton the agitation of the Southern
leaders with impatience. was de-
voted to the Union and failed to see any
cause for breaking it up. When seces-
sion was accomplished, held on. Ihad
determined to remain where / was if Sc
cession was peacefully accomplished, of
which, however, / had little hope. Ny
relatives in Georgia wrote me urgently
to come on at once, saying that all the
good officers were being taken up
replied that if there was going to be any
war it would last for several years, and
that in that time every soldier would
find his level, and SO that it mattered little
whether he commenced at the top or
bottom. At length Sumter was fired
upon, and then I knew that war was in
evitable, and felt that my place was with
my people. Iresigned my position and
came home. I was at once made briga-
dier-general, and may say thatI led the
Southern troops into the first battle they
ever fought, and commanded in the
first field of victory that the Southern
flag ever hoated over. This was the af-
fair at Blackburn's Ford, usually known
as Bull Run. Tyler attempted to force
passage, but my brigade repulsed him
handsomely"
"Were you much elated over this VIC
tory?"
not join in the wild delight that followed
it. I never had any doubt that our peo-
pie would make good fighters, but I
knew that the issue must at last be put
upon organization. Individual bravery
amounts to nothing in protracted war.
Everything depends upon organization.
As I feared it would be, the Southern
armies were never properly organized or
disciplined. The Northern armies were
moved like machines and handled like
machines. A spring was touched, the
whole mass moved regularly and prompt
ly. With us it was different. There never
was better army than the army of Vir-
ginia, but it lacked the machine-like har-
mony of the northern armies. We had too
much individuality in the ranks and inefi-
cheney at Richmond. The government
was to blame, I think, for the lack of Or
ganizatioD.
vALoR OF THE TROOPS.
"Did the Southern troops display more
valor than the Northern troops 50"
"I cannot say that they did. AS l said
before, individual bravery amounts to
very little in battle. Men must be
fought in blocks and masses, just as parts
of machine. Nearly everything depends
upon the commander. If the men have
confidence in him and in his movements,