The Washington times., 1904-01-03
A South carolinian.


Gen James Longstreet was born in
Edgeheld district. S. c.. January 8. 1871.
He removed. with his mother. to A.a-
bama in 1881. and from that state was
appointed to the United States Military
Academy. at West Point. where he
graduated in 1872 His first .gnncrt
was q the Fosfrth Infantry He served
- 4qi1 c-son .I3arraS'Ss. lon FRA. - du1g.-
at Natchitoches. La. and in fhe hllitary
occupation Of Texas In 1875 $50
General iongstreet also saw hard ser
vice IN the Mexican war having par
ticipated in the battles of Palo Alto.
Resaca de la Palma. Monterey, the
siege OF Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo. San
Antonio. Cherubusco and Molino del
Rey. For gallant and meritorious con-
duct in the two last named engagements
ne was brevetted captain and ma ior
At the storming OF Chapultepec on Sep
tember s. 1871. he was severely wounded
IN the assault on tEc fortified convent.
He served as adJutant in the Eighth In
fantry and on the frontier and garri-
son duty chiefly in Texas until 1S5S
having been promoted TO the rank of
captain in December. 1852:
Confederate Brgadier.
He became paymaster in 1858 and re-
signed his commission on June !. 1861. to
receive a commission as brigadier gen
eral in the Confederate army. At the
first battle OF Bull Run he commanded
a brigade on the right of the Confed-
crate line, where he held "A large force
OF Federals from operating in support
OF McDOwells flank attack
On Gen Joseph +. Johnston-s retreat
before Mcclellan at Yorktown, General
LOngstreet commanded the rear guard.
having been promoted to major general.
On May 5. 1862, he made stand at Will
iamsburg. and was at once attacked by
Heintzelman. Hooker. and Kearny He
held his ground until his opponents
were re-enfOrced by Hancock, when he
was driven'iback.
In Seven Days Battle.
He took part in the seven days fight
ing around Richmond. and at the sec
ond battle Of Bull Run. when in com
mand of the first corps Of the Army %
Northern Virginia. came TO the relief
OF Jackson when he was hard pressed
by Pope's army. and by a determined
charge on the enemy's flank decided the
fortunes OF the day
In 1863 he was detailed with two OF mis-
divisions for service south OF the James
River He commanded the right wing
OF the Army OF Northern Virginia al
the battle Of Gettysburg. When he re-
treated to Virginia, General Longstrcet. I
with five brigades. was transferred to 1
the Army of Tennessee. under General /
Bragg. and at the battle OF Chicka- 4
mauga held the left wing Of the Confed-
crate army.
He was then detailed to capture Knox
VILE but found IL too strongly fortified
to take by assault. Early in 1864 Cen
eral LOngsueet joined General Lee. and
was wounded by the fire Of his. own
troops in the battle Of the Wilderness.
Known as "0ld Pete"
In the service General LOngstreet was
known as Old Pete, and was considered
as one OF the hardest fighters IN the
Confederate service. After the war Cen
eral Longstreet established his residence
IN New Orleans, where he engaged IN
merehantile business. I'm the firm OF
Longstreet, Owens a. Co He was an
pointed surveyor OF customs OF the port
Of New Orleans by President Grant. ana
was afterward collector OF internal
revenue IN Louisiana; postmaster af
New Orleans. United States minister 10
Turkey. and United States marshal for
the District OF Georgia In 1895 he was
appointed commissioner OF railways.