The evening times., 1895-09-27
is VIEWED Bl FORMER FOE
Gen. Lplgstssrs 'Esdnits d Gems Giant
md Shaidil
He Regarded the Union Commander
as Great q Soldier as Napoleon
and In Some Way Greater.
tPhiladelphia Times.)

(PhHodelpnln TlmesD
Gen. Janies Longstreet, who was Lees
chief of staff and who is the Oldest living
general of-the Confederate army, ar
rived in this city from his home in Gaines
vile. Ca. last evening. and went at once to
the Stratfottl. where he will remain until
the end of the week.
He is farsadyanced In years and is very
feeble. In alldprobability 1t will be the
last time he Ill ever set foot on Northern
soil again. His hair is silvery white, his
form is stopped and his hearing very de-
fective.
The general at fret declined to be inter
viewed when seen by reporter, saying that
he had a very bad cold. He subsequently
consented to a short talk, and. becoming
enthusiastic over his recollections OF the
war, converted freely, giving some impress
sions of Grant, Sheridan and Beauregard,
as well as Stonewall Jackson.
Speaking of Grant," said the general,
and his steelgray eyes frightened at the
mention of the great commanders name.
II knew him since his boyhood. As general
he had very few superiors; he was an able
tactician. Il successful strategist and an all
around soldier,
He was a generous and warm-hearted
man. regard Gen. Grant as one OF the
greatest captains of history. Napoleon was
q greater man, but he didn't have the stay
ing qualities characteristic of Grant. AL
ways brave. courageous and daring, he was
as cool osfhe field of battle as he was eat
ing dinner."
Then the general related how he was re-
sponsibIe for the first meeting of Grant with
Miss Dent, who afterward became the wife
of the commander OF the Northern forces,
for which union LOngstreet received the
heartfelt thanks Of his adversary in battle.
Concerning Buregard, the general said he
was q welleduca;ed man and gallant sol
dier
Asked to give some Impressions Of Stone
wall Jackson, the general said he was a
man OF yeryhigh character. and the secret
of his power as a general was in maneu-
veriny 10 get the advantage Of his adversary.
Jackson was not man of personal attrac-
tions, he said. but was great fighter.
He was also u man OF marked temper
ance in habits" said General Longstreet,
'.and once during an illness when liquor was
Offered him he said he would not drink a
glass of whisky for $4,000. He would not
touch u drop under any circumstances.
Sheridan, the general said, was fighter
from nature. fearless and bold as a lion.
In the matter of the surrender of the
Southern army, General Longstreet said
that Lee sent for Malone and him on the
night OF April 8, 1865. and asked their opin-
ion OF the state of affairs and what they
thought was best to do. II replied" said
the general, that we seemed to be hernned
in on all sides and couldn't get away. Then
he asked Malone his opinion and he talked
the same way.
1.-THE next day Lee got on bis horse and
rode off to see Grant. The result was the
surrender OF the whole Southern army.
While Lee was absent Custer came along
riding through the1ine So ying that sheridan
demanded Unconditional surrender. l re-
piled that l was not in command, and If
was would not surrender to an officer
of his rank.
Il further told him that he was in the
enemy's line and liable to arrest. He soon
modified his tone. and when he began to
talk more reasohabiy l told him that Lee
had already gone TO see Grant about sur
rendering. Ny impression is that Custer
wanted Sheridan to have the credit of sur
render, but Wasn't going to see my old
friend Grant get left that way"