James Longstreet was born in South Carolina and for most of his childhood he lived with his Uncle better known as “Uncle Gus” in Augusta, Georgia. Longstreet’s uncle influenced Longstreet as a “fervent proponent of state rights.” Later on in Longstreet’s life he went to West Point for academics “where he graduated fifty-fourth of sixty-two cadets in the class of 1842.” While Longstreet was attending West Point he meet and made relations with Ulysses S. Grant. After Longstreet graduated both Longstreet and Grant “were assigned to the fourth U.S. Infantry.”
James Longstreet first war experience was during the Mexican war like many Civil War generals. Longstreet was a part of the battles in “Vera Cruz, Churubusco, and Chapultapec” which are…show more content… While Longstreet was fighting in New Mexico territory the Civil War started. Not long after Longstreet resigned to join the Civil War. Longstreet was appointed “Brigadier General under the rule of P.G.T Beauregard” and he starts 1861 July. Longstreet was praised by his troop for “his coolness under fire” and Longstreet also inspired the troop. October 1861 James Longstreet and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson were promoted to “Major General under the rule of Joseph E. Johnston”. After the promotion Longstreet “commanded a division of six brigades” which will later become “the First Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia”. January 1862 three of his children died from “Scarlet Fever” but Longstreet stayed focused during the “Peninsula Campaign” which was a “major Union offensive against the Confederate capital of Richmond led by Major General George B. McClellan in the spring and summer of 1862.” At the “Battle of Williamsburg” in 1862 May Longstreet was a spectator but at the “Battle of Seven Pines which occurred during May 31 to June 1, 1862” Longstreet messed up his orders which lead to the mismanagement of the battle it self. General Johnston was majorly injured and command was passed to Robert E. Lee who became “senior military advisor to Jefferson Davis.” It is not long until Longstreet gains General Lee’s trust with his performance “at the Battles of…show more content… Longstreet got promoted to Lieutenant General and his corps was the First Corps. In “the Battle of Fredericksburg” in December Longstreet built a wall that was up to the chest and almost impenetrable along “Marye’s Heights” this created an advantage for Longstreet. Longstreet used artillery to his advantage so that no Union soldiers can come closer than thirty feet to the wall with out being killed or maimed. From February to April 1863 Longstreet with his troops left the battle to go to Southeast Virginia and collect food for the army and food for the horses because of this Longstreet was not present for “the Battle of Chancellorsville that may.” Longstreet came back during the second invasion of the North during “the Battle of Gettysburg.” Longstreet was skeptical
