january january foremost confederate generals american_civil_war principal subordinate general called old war horse served lee corps commander famous battles fought biographer historian wrote finest corps commander fact arguably best corps commander conflict talents general significant contributions confederate victories second bull run second offensive defensive roles performed strongly seven days battles seriously wounded battle wilderness performance command resulted confederate defeat controversial service battle openly disagreed general lee tactics employed reluctantly supervised disastrous infantry assault known charge enjoyed successful post war career working government diplomat civil servant administrator conversion republican_party cooperation old friend president critical comments wrote memoirs general lee wartime performance confederate colleagues reputation south suffered led african american militia anti reconstruction white league authors movement focused actions primary reason confederacy loss war reputation south damaged century recently begun slow early life career born january south_carolina area fifth child son dutch descent english descent originally new_jersey maryland respectively owned cotton plantation close village founded northeastern georgia james ancestor immigrated dutch colony generations james father impressed son character rural plantation giving nickname peter known pete old pete rest life father decided military career son felt local education available adequate preparation age james sent live aunt uncle georgia uncle newspaper editor educator methodist minister james spent years uncle plantation outside city attended father died cholera epidemic visiting james mother rest family moved alabama following father death james remained uncle attempted obtain appointment james vacancy congressional district filled james appointed relative represented lived james poor student academically disciplinary problem west_point ranking 54th cadets graduated popular classmates befriended number men prominent civil war including west_point roommate class commissioned second lieutenant 4th spent years service missouri soon joined friend lieutenant soon met future wife called family daughter regimental commander col married march marriage years produce children mentioned memoirs anecdotes relationship came historians writings second wife time began grant acquainted courted fourth cousin couple eventually married historians agree attended grant wedding august role ceremony remains unclear grant biographer asserted served grant best man wedding editor memoirs concluded biographer called role best man uncertain noting grant mentioned role memoirs served distinction mexican american war 8th early war served lieutenant army battle received promotions captain major september wounded thigh charging hill regimental colors falling handed flag friend able reach summit veteran member military society officers served mexican war distinguished officers union confederate served american_civil_war members war recovery wound new wife served frontier duty texas primarily fort martin scott near fort bliss performed scouting missions served major 8th infantry july author claims period involved plot draw mexican state union slave state enthusiastic union learned uncle doctrine states rights early life seen uncle passion born south_carolina georgia offered services state alabama appointed west_point mother lived furthermore senior west_point graduate state implied rank state forces available resigned june cast lot confederacy civil war american civil war bull run peninsula arrived richmond virginia commission lieutenant colonel met confederate president executive mansion june informed appointed brigadier general date rank june commission accepted june ordered report brig given command brigade virginia regiments 1st 11th 17th regiments assembled staff trained brigade saw action ford july resisting union_army reconnaissance force preceded battle bull run main attack came opposite end line july brigade played relatively minor role endured artillery fire hours infuriated commanders allow vigorous pursuit defeated union_army trusted staff officer recorded fine rage hat ground stamped bitter words escaped quoted saying retreat hell federal army broken pieces october promoted major general assumed command division infantry brigades tragedy struck family january scarlet fever epidemic richmond claimed lives year old daughter year old son james year old week year old son succumbed losses devastating withdrawn personally socially headquarters noted parties drinking poker games returned funeral headquarters social life somber rarely drank devout turned mixed performance spring executed rear guard commander delaying advance army richmond battle seven marched men wrong direction wrong road causing congestion confusion confederate units effect massive confederate counterattack report blamed fellow wounded battle replaced command seven days battles followed late june operational command nearly half lee army brigades drove peninsula performed aggressively new larger command particularly lee army general suffered weak performances peers including jackson unable destroy union_army wrote confidence battle like rock battle world flying pieces lee said staff right hand established lee principal lieutenant second bull run maryland military lee corps commanders characterized representing offensive component lee army typically advocated executed defensive strategies tactics jackson described army hammer august stereotype hold true commanded right wing later known corps jackson commanded jackson started campaign lee orders sweeping flanking maneuver placed corps rear took defensive position effectively invited pope assault august august start second battle bull run second pope jackson remainder army marched north reach battlefield postwar criticism claimed marched men slowly leaving jackson bear fighting days covered roughly miles little hours lee attempt army concentrated faster men arrived midday august lee planned flanking attack union_army concentrating attention jackson suggestions lee urging attack recommending instead reconnaissance force conducted survey ground division brig moved forward troops withdrew having better idea terrain enemy soldiers area day preparations paid artillery major factor helping jackson resist corps attack capitalized federal confusion launching attack anticipating order lee arrived despite smashing victory followed performance battle criticized advocates claiming reluctance attack lee controversial performance come july battle lee biographer wrote seeds disaster instant lee yielded discovered despite criticism following day august finest performances war pope came believe jackson starting retreat took advantage launching massive assault union army left flank men hours like giant hammer actively directing artillery fire sending brigades lee assault came union artillery fire union troops furious defense pope army forced retreat manner similar embarrassing union defeat bull run fought roughly gave credit victory lee describing campaign clever brilliant established strategic model believed ideal use defensive tactics strategic offensive actions final major confederate defensive battles proving grounds development dominant defensive tactics maryland campaign september battle held confederate defensive line union forces twice numerous delaying action corps fought retired join prepared fight defensive battle terrain advantage idea tactical defense vastly superior exposed offense offense dominated time napoleon technological overturned col claims civil war officers truly aware end day civil war lee greeted subordinate saying old war horse october weeks promoted lieutenant general lee arranged promotion dated day earlier jackson making old war horse senior lieutenant general entire army reorganization november command designated corps consisted divisions approximately men december corps played decisive role lee moved early allowed time dig portions line site artillery set kill zone axis advance thought union attack come remembering slaughter construct defensive works ordered trenches constructed set precedent future defensive battles additionally positioned men stone wall foot heights held fourteen assaults union forces union army suffered casualties heights great defensive success based entirely advantage terrain time combination terrain defensive works centralized coordination artillery suffolk early spring suggested lee corps detached sent reinforce challenged roommate west_point possible believed independent command west offered better opportunities advancement corps lee shadow lee divisions corps ordered richmond tennessee movements potentially threatened vital ports mid atlantic coast division started capital mid february followed told command detached divisions april besieged union forces city suffolk virginia minor operation important lee army stationed war devastated central virginia enabled confederate authorities collect huge amounts provisions union control operation caused men corps absent despite lee brilliant victory came criticism claiming marched men suffolk time join lee suffolk scenario brought forward beginnings new confederate strategy events proved manage fewer troops periods time units shifted create windows opportunity theaters advocated strategic movements utilize rail interior lines create temporary numerical advantages mississippi tennessee prior campaign plans death lee met mid discuss options army summer campaign advocated detachment corps sent tennessee justification course action urgent union advancing critical confederate stronghold mississippi_river argued reinforced army defeat drive grant break hold lee opposed division army instead advocated large scale offensive raid pennsylvania memoirs described reaction lee proposal plan wishes announced useless improper offer suggestions leading different course ask policy campaign defensive tactics work force enemy attack good position find country adapted purpose assure grand triumph readily important material general plan written years campaign affected results battle criticism authors letters time reference bargain lee april lee said promise thought thing post battle report lee wrote intended fight general battle distance base attacked enemy army northern virginia reorganized jackson death division commanders promoted lieutenant general assumed command second newly created corps respectively corps gave division reorganization leaving divisions initial movements campaign corps followed spy hired went harrison instrumental warning union_army advancing north meet quickly anticipated prompting lee order immediate concentration army near pennsylvania actions battle centerpiece controversy surrounded century ahead troops arrived battlefield late afternoon day july union corps driven hill town defensive positions lee intended fight army fully concentrated chance questionable decisions brought battle impressive confederate victory meeting lee concerned strength union defensive position advocated strategic movement left flank enemy secure good ground capital presumably union commander attack defensive positions erected instead lee enemy tomorrow attack lee plan july called attack union left flank followed hill attack cemetery ridge near center demonstrated union right ready attack early lee envisioned received permission lee wait brig brigade hood division reach field advanced brigades law marched men quickly arrive noon brigades march column distance attack positions need reach divisions forced long approaching enemy position inadequate reconnaissance failed identify completely concealed route criticism claims ordered lee attack early morning delays significant contributor loss battle lee agreed delays arriving troops issue formal order attack motivations long partisans legacy historians agree aggressively pursue lee orders launch attack early possible biographer wrote deserves performance morning july allowed disagreement lee decision affect conduct commanding general determined enemy duty required comply previously characterized concern detail regard timely information need preparation absent military historians archer jones wrote attack consumed time properly assembling corps assault commence time passed continued troops bring complete concentration achieved numerical superiority left covered campaign historian presents lengthy description approach march described comedy errors expect inexperienced commanders raw militia lee war horse veteran troops called episode dark moment career general historian concluded angry resulted wasted time delay legacy wrote field commander experience caliber march prepare men battle alternative view expressed general expected 2nd day allegations failing exercise duty ordering morning assault impossible commenced attack earlier occurred doubtful confederacy placed attack secure hands general command operation reasonable taking route alerted union army assault regardless controversy preparations assault began pressed assault hood division arrived fierce union resistance largely unsuccessful significant casualties night july follow usual custom meeting lee headquarters discuss day battle claiming ride instead spent night planning movement big round allow attack enemy flank rear despite use scouting parties apparently unaware considerable body troops position block shortly issuing orders attack sunrise joined headquarters lee dismayed turn events commanding general intended attack union left early morning manner similar attack july newly arrived division concert resumed attack lee found ordered division forward rear planning independent operation consulting lee wrote restraint battle report completed early expected plans early morning coordinated attack lee instead ordered coordinate massive assault center union line employing division brigades corps knew assault little chance success union_army position reminiscent taken defeat assault cover mile open ground spend time negotiating fences fire lessons lost lee day memoirs claims told lee believed attack union center fail general soldier life soldiers engaged fights couples squads companies regiments divisions armies know soldiers opinion thousand men arranged battle position artillery barrage preceded infantry assault began assault going cost attempted pass responsibility launching division artillery chief col time came actually order forward nod unable order assault known charge suffered heavy casualties anticipated decisive point confederate loss lee ordered retreat virginia following day criticism war based reputed conduct battle remarks strategies lee excited balance evident afternoon 1st oppression blood shed years war reputation suffered blamed failed attack lee ordered advance repeated advice cancel attack tennessee mid august resumed attempts transferred wrote private letter secretary war requesting transferred serve old friend followed conversations congressional ally senator long considered suitable replacement army increasing pressure outside lee president davis agreed request september logistical efforts confederacy divisions brigade division gun artillery battalion traveled railroads mile route carolinas reach northern georgia entire operation weeks lead elements corps arrived september corps veterans arrived early stages begun unsuccessful attempt army arrival corps met headquarters evening placed command left wing army commanded right september lined brigades deep column narrow attack similar future german tank tactics world war chance mistaken order general caused gap appear union line took additional advantage increase chances success organization attack suited terrain penetrated union line regardless union right collapsed fled field units began retreat panic managed rally retreating units defensive position held position repeated afternoon attacks adequately supported confederate right wing night fell battle thomas able units control failure coordinate right wing cavalry thomas prevented total rout union_army neglected pursue retreating aggressively resulting futile siege greatest confederate victory deserved good portion credit soon clashed leader group senior commanders army removed subordinates long dissatisfied leadership personality arrival senior lieutenant general army officers added credibility earlier claims catalyst action wrote convinced hand god save help long present commander situation grave president davis forced person followed bizarre scenes war sitting red faced procession commanders condemned stated incompetent manage army men fight knew business davis sided resolve conflict retained position relieving generals testified reducing command units brought virginia despite dysfunctional command climate lack support president davis concerning removal best continue seek options resigned army siege union_army cumberland devised strategy prevent reinforcement lifting siege grant knew union reaction underway nearest alabama portions union corps soon arrive sending artillery commander union occupied town devised plan shift away siege setting logistical support rome georgia possibly catching arriving union troops position plan received approved president davis disapproved objected significant logistical challenges posed accepted arguments agreed plan men dispatched deal advance selected assignment partially intended men return lee army movement direction criticized slow pace advance november troops began nickname peter slow describe evaded battle campbell station settled city besieged unsuccessfully failed bring confederate breakthrough defeated grant november ordered join forces northern georgia began virginia soon pursued early december armies went winter quarters corps rejoined spring real effect minor campaign troops needed second independent command suffolk failure self confidence damaged reacted failure campaign blaming relieved command requested court martial brig submitted letter resignation december request relieved denied corps suffered severe winter inadequate shelter provisions writing georgia january noted army crews cavalry brigade alike excessive need shoes clothing kinds blankets send received developed strategic plans called offensive tennessee kentucky command bolstered men lee unable convince president davis newly appointed military advisor wilderness finding old friend command union_army told fellow officers fight day hour end war helped save defeat battle lee army launched powerful flanking attack nearly drove field developed innovative tactics deal difficult terrain ordering advance brigades heavy skirmish lines allowed men deliver continuous fire enemy proving elusive targets wilderness historian attributed success army display tactical genius numerical strength war commander day said flanking maneuver rolled like wet blanket wounded assault accidentally shot men miles away place jackson suffered fate year earlier bullet passed shoulder nerves tearing throat riding shot died wounds momentum attack subsided taken field urged lee press attack instead lee delayed movement units realigned giving union defenders adequate time subsequent attack failure called removal critical battle believed fall panic fairly underway extended resulted grant forced retreat missed rest spring summer campaign lee missed skill handling army treated virginia georgia niece emma eve daughter brother gilbert participated funeral service joining arkansas casting earth coffin rejoined lee october right arm paralyzed initially unable ride horse taught write left hand periodically pulling arm advised doctors able regain use right hand later years remainder siege commanded defenses capital richmond including forces north retreated lee commanding corps following death april lee considered surrender advised belief grant treat fairly lee rode house april said general good terms come let fight post life war family settled new_orleans location popular number confederate generals entered cotton partnership president newly created marine actively sought presidency mobile unsuccessful failed attempt investors proposed railroad new_orleans mexico named president newly organized applied pardon president endorsed old friend johnson refused telling meeting persons south receive amnesty davis general lee given union cause trouble regardless opposition united_states congress restored rights citizenship june senior confederate officer join republican_party reconstruction endorsed grant president attended inauguration ceremonies days later received appointment surveyor customs new_orleans acts lost favor white old friend wrote newspaper local community unlike moved south referred hill wrote native worse republican governor louisiana appointed adjutant general state militia major general command militia state police forces new_orleans protests election irregularities referred armed force members advanced commanded force city policemen african american militia troops armed guns battery artillery rode meet protesters pulled horse shot spent bullet taken prisoner charged causing men flee surrender casualties killed wounded federal troops required restore order use black troops disturbances increased family left new_orleans concerns health safety returning georgia time given birth children lived adulthood applied jobs administration briefly considered secretary navy served briefly deputy collector internal revenue appointed ambassador ottoman_empire later served presidents commissioner railroads succeeding frequent return trips new_orleans business converted catholicism devout believer death served marshal return democratic administration ended political careers went acre farm near raised planted ground neighbors referred jokingly devastating fire april 24th anniversary lee surrender destroyed house personal possessions including personal civil war documents memorabilia december died remarried ceremony governor mansion atlanta age children reacted poorly marriage helen devoted wife avid supporter legacy death years dying death bearing criticism war record decades refuted arguments memoirs entitled labor years published final years marked poor health partial suffered severe unable stand minutes time weight diminished pounds january cancer developed right eye december ray therapy chicago treat contracted pneumonia died days birthday remains buried detractors general officers civil war live 20th century legacy criticism authors movement attacked war career years death maintains reconstructed rebel embraced equal rights blacks unification nation reconstruction target wanted maintain racist policies accept verdict battlefield attacks formally began january anniversary birth years lee death early speech lee failure falsely accused attacking late second day responsible following year lee artillery chief claimed venue explicit order attack sunrise july allegations failed challenge lies publicly delay damaging reputation mythology taken hold common opinion time 20th century kept criticism foremost civil war scholarship biography lee virginia novelist noted severe criticism 1950s 1960s death second wife helen privately published lee high tide defense stated south taught believe wholly outcome publication novel killer angels based memoirs followed film adaptation credited helping restore reputation general dramatically raise public visibility work god general provided upgrading attack lee virginia wrote finest corps commander fact arguably best corps commander conflict wrote critics conceded best staff employed commander facto chief staff lieutenant colonel best staff officer confederacy cited effective way delegated responsibilities control battlefield movements staff able communicate effectively battles confederate generals war remembered numerous places bear georgia including portion route crosses later form lake local monuments erected dedicated tribute equestrian statue sculptor shown riding depiction favorite horse hero ground level grove trees unlike generals elevated tall bases overlooking battlefield organization museum dedicated celebration study life career educational project aimed public awareness military public service house tennessee occupied winter converted open public popular culture plays prominent role winning novel killer angels portrayed film based prequel gods generals portrayed onstage world premiere killer angels chicago character number prominent alternate history novels series volume remain appears character row row length act play american playwright action play takes place evening enactment plays battle parts play action moves moments leading charge play ends addressing future wonders form perfect union
James Longstreet