The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-10-21
Longstreet Taken to Task.

To the Editor: At a function (What
that may be) OF the G.. a. Il. in Wash
ington the other day, no more
lachrymose episode took place than
when General Longstrect gave the
growing credit of that victory at Get
tysburg to General Sickles to be pro-
claimed before his old command, the
Third Army Corps, for this inferrentially
heaven-sent contamination. There be
some who We're Whereabouts about that
Identical time, who have vcr since
opined tina such an admission on The
part OF the Confederate Corps NINA
der TO the corps commander in the blue
coat, is excessively generous and mag
m Or to be more precise and
to the point, that the laudatOT on the
occasion is more entitled to that dis
tinction than all Of the opposing gentry.
generals and G.. a. Rs put together.
Let no injustice be done him; II was
only want Of alacrity TO start at a most
critical juncturc in obeying orders, when
minutes We're priceless. Ie kcOWs 1t.
as every man in that arm thought it
at the time. A fg for ,!a2i. o. sense
less sentimenJality. Senil!ty and gar
rulity incident must have its claims al
lowed, but even these have their legiti-
mate limit. There be some who do not go
INTO pdIcht SliS Ol uHctuOuS IcIN cNtI
the results Of that fight. whether general
this or general that, was the superla-
tive hero of the occasion, matters little
or nothing. Old man curb your ccstatics,
or in common justice, cease to pose on
grand army days as typical or South
ern sentiment. There are a few old boys
yet left, who if they did not reach your
height Of climb or depth of fall, would
blush to eXult over the issue OF that
three lays fight. But all men are not
built the same way, God be praised. As
an humble subaltern whose heart and
soul was absorbed in the issue Of that
mighty struggle, | raise my pulling voice
in earnest protest against you beng
the exponent Of my sentiments. Not for
all your honest fame, surmounted by
equivocal honor later on, would sins
peans of eXultation over the graves of
the matchlesS heroes who made their
cause the most glorious Of any fought
for by sterling men.
\ most pathetic sight it must have
been, those two anticipated gentlemen
IN loving hand-grasp, scratching each
others backs whilst posing for photo
graph for the delectation Of the peri
patetic multitude!
But We're You not just a little bit
oblivious of previous utterance, mon
General, in giving all the credit to YOUR
one-legged friend on occasion referred to?
| have a vague recollection that YOU had
previously saddled the responsibility for
our defeat, and OF course victory for the
other side upon your superior officer.
IN not following your suggestions, or to
put it plain, declining to map out the
pan Of battle for him, or words to that
effect. Am | correct? Did you ever
pen and print anything constituencies of
that ilk? Unless mistaken it was 2
standing gibe with old Bob's bows, at
the time, that he, one of the worlds
recognized six great captains of history.
who vas never behind time or other
wise remiss in duty, should at that
slpendous Dolnt OF time, have been so
ootuse or bullheaded as not to recognize
Your superior qualifications for such
work and have dismounted and heInad
you into the saddle OF ommand Won
MS heaven-ordmained lieutenant. who
later ON was to show his capacity for
winning battles at Knoxville and Suf-
folk and Gettysburg in the mighty flank
movement a day in future. Had he had
ehe perspicaclty to discovery your Won
defful latent gifts for winning battles
d page OF history might have been re-
NefSeu, and YOU spared the sickening
spectacle OF yourself before an army Of
plethorlc and ~pTetentious pensioners
rlFalllng in 'roll-call' that of the Per-
sian before he bridged the HeIIesnont
although six and thirty years have com.
ana gone since the last hostile cartridoc
was burnt in bagging the chief Of tba
iost' or rather the eternal cause. inyolv-
ing the Inherent lights of man. Apronos.
some OF your old soldiers were wont tn
natter themselves that a few of vo,,r
now found friends had found soldiers.
graves during 1.-The late unpleasant-
ness A fragrant delusion that as i.
SHOWN by the aforesaid muster roll
ever on the increase With each recurring
anniversary Of the Grand Army Of pom.
SlOQor1 which o1roo