From Manassas to Appomattox

These are the memoirs of James Longstreet (1821–1904), Robert E. Lee's "Old War Horse" and a brilliant leader of the Confederate cause. His life and career were somewhat controversial: he has been dismissed as stubborn and vain as well as praised as one of the South's greatest tacticians. Some blame him for the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg, while others maintain that if Lee had heeded his advice, the South would have won the battle and turned the tide of the war.
First published in 1896, these highly readable reminiscences trace the general's life and wartime experiences, from a Southern boyhood and training at West Point to his commands during the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. Longstreet covers the battles at Manassas, Antietam, and Chickamauga, and presents an in-depth treatment of Gettysburg. He surrendered with Lee at Appomattox, and after the war joined the Republican Party, supporting rights and freedoms for former slaves — a stance that made him deeply unpopular with former Confederates. His memoirs reflect his combative style in addition to offering a personal account of the Civil War and many fascinating anecdotes about Lee and his officers. This edition is richly illustrated with maps and vintage images.

Robert E. Lee's "Old War Horse," General James Longstreet (1821–1904) was born in South Carolina, graduated from West Point in 1842, and resigned from the U.S. Army when his native state seceded from the Union. Longstreet commanded troops at several major Civil War battles, including Gettysburg. He surrendered with Lee at Appomattox, and after the war joined the Republican Party, supporting rights and freedoms for former slaves, a stance that made him deeply unpopular with many former Confederates.

Preface                                                                                                                        
The Ante-Bellum Life of the Author                                      
From New Mexico to Manassas                                             
Battle of Manassas, or Bull Run                                             
The Confederates Hovering around Washington                   
Round about Richmond                                                         
The Battle of Williamsburg                                                     
Seven Pines, or Fair Oaks                                                       
Sequalæ of Seven Pines                                                          
Robert E. Lee in Command                                
Fighting along the Chickahominy                             
Battle of Malvern Hill                                              
Halleck and Pope in Federal Command                
Making Ready for Manassas Again                          
Second Battle of Manassas (Bull Run)                             
The Maryland Campaign                                     
“The Lost Order”—South Mountain                      
Preliminaries of the Great Battle                              
Battle of Sharpsburg, or Antietam                      
Battle of Sharpsburg, or Antietam (Continued)    
Review of the Maryland Campaign                       
Reorganization and Rest for Both Armies                
Battle of Fredericksburg                                                
Battle of Fredericksburg (Continued)                        
Preparing for the Spring of ’63                          
Invasion of Pennsylvania                                          
Gettysburg—First Day                                                
Gettysburg—Second Day                               
Gettysburg—Third Day                                     
The Wave Rolls Back                                                
Longstreet Moves to Georgia                            
Battle of Chickamauga                                            
 Failure to Follow Success                                           
The East Tennessee Campaign                             
Besieging Knoxville                                                        
Cut Off from East and West                                   
Strategic Importance of the Field                 
Last Days in Tennessee                                           
Battle of the Wilderness             
Again in Front of Richmond                    
Talk of Peace                                                     
Battle of Five Forks                                        
Petersburg                                                
Appomattox                    
Post-Bellum Pendant
Appendix: Letters of General Robert E. Lee and General Longstreet     
Index