Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1904-02-13
Grant and Lenrstreet.

military enemies during four years of
Civil War, We're Gen. James Long.
street, who died recently, and Gen.
L. S Grant Their comradeship began
at West Point. the Georgian being a
var in advance of his friend. says
writer in the Pittshurg Dispatch.
The twain continued their friendship
Mt Jefferson Barracks, St Louis, where
both were stationed after graduating
I4ongstreet was the most popular
young officer at the post; Grant was
known only for his silence and bash.
fulness. The Southerner made strong
efforts to overcome this defect in his
chum, and with that end In view in
PRODUCED him to his fair cousins, cou.
pie of young ladies named Dent The
consequence was that Julia Dent soon
afterward added the name Grant 10
her own, and the army friends became
cousins by marriage
I.ongstreet and Grant fought side by
side during the Mexican war, then
drifted apart in presence, but not in
heart l believe the next time they
met was at the Confederate surrender
at Appomattox The formalities being
ended, Grant stepped up to his old
schoolmate and grasped him by the
arm.
Pete said he, ia voice ehoked by
emotion. and using the old West Point
nickname. Tets see il we can't return
10 the happy old days by playing Il
game of brag9
Great Godr' replied Longstreet;
why Will men fight who ought to he
brothers - Joining hands with Grant.
he continued: "I'll do my part toward
reconstructing our dismembered M.
ton"
Longstrcet kept his word in man,
ner that astonlshed and angered the
South Returning 10 his Georgia home.
he boldly avowed himself Republi.
cam and urged his people to accept re.
| construction He was abused without
stint His life was In danger His
| beautiful mansion on his farm near
| Gainesville and not far from Atlanta,
was burned down. it Is believed the
| work of his enemies, aud not being II
wealthy man he spent his remaining
years In modest one-story brown cot.
tage OH his farm, His neighbors holly
| accused him Of selling out" to the Re
puhhcans.
Gen. Iongstreets troubles, however,
did not begin at AppomattoX. He was
accused of losing the battle of Gettys.
burg for the Confederates by dis.
obedience OF Lees orders. He quar-
relied with President Jefferson Davis
until the two ceased to he on speak.
ing terms,
The reconciliation of the two great
/ -Confederatcs was dramatic 1t oc.
cured at public celebration at At
lanm some years after the war. Gen
| Longstreet was invited through court
| esy, the managers not believing that
| he would accept, since his enemy, JEFF.
| ferson Davis. was to be President But
he came. bringing his old war horse
with him.
Davis was seated on the reviewing
stand. While The procession was pass
ing him he heard n tremendous racket
down the line
"What rs that cheering for?" he
asked Of some one near by
At that moment Gen. Longstreet
| himself came into view, riding his
well-known charger. Davis head drop
ped upon his breast. Gen. Longstreet
halted, dismounted, and began 90 climb
the steps of the reviewing platform
| Cheering was redoubled, hats flew into
| the air and war veterans wept like
children While Davis sprang forward
aud wrung the hand Of Longstreet
The popular greeting TO Longstrect
was as unexpected as it was gratifying
to Longstreet. II seemed to mark the
end Of the estrangemeut between him
and his beloved State.
When Gen Grant became President
he remembered his old West Point
| friend by making him collector of the
port Of New Orleans. President Me
| kinney. too. honored Gen. Longstreet
by appointing him commissioner of
railroads.
I