E. F. Comegys,F. A. Tyler,H. Ingle,Committee.
E. F. Comegys,F. A. Tyler,H. Ingle,
Committee.
Robt. Bean,Commander pro tem.W. W. Howeth,Adjutant pro tem.
*****
“Years will only add lustre to his crown.”
“Years will only add lustre to his crown.”
The Merrill E. Pratt Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, of Prattville, Alabama, paid a tribute of respect to the memory of General James Longstreet, by adopting the following resolutions:
Whereas, Fully cognizant of the fact that there will be many tributes of condolence offered, tributes that thrill with eloquenceand lofty sentiment, yet there will be none more sincere or more truly heartfelt than that offered by the Merrill E. Pratt Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy; therefore,
Resolved, That in the death of General Longstreet the whole nation lost one of its truest statesmen, while the South lost one of its greatest chieftains and one of its stanchest friends.
Resolved, That while we deplore his death, we bless and praise the Glorious Giver for the gift to the Southland of such a patriot as General Longstreet, a patriot whose fame time cannot wear away, and years will only add lustre to his crown.
Mrs. James D. Rise,President.Mrs. J. A. Pratt,Corresponding Secretary.
Mrs. James D. Rise,President.Mrs. J. A. Pratt,Corresponding Secretary.
Mrs. James D. Rise,
President.
Mrs. J. A. Pratt,
Corresponding Secretary.
*****
“He was the last survivor of the South’s great warriors.”
“He was the last survivor of the South’s great warriors.”
Mr. Commander and Comrades,—Your committee appointed at the last meeting of this Camp to draft resolutions expressing our sorrow and grief at the death of Lieutenant-General James Longstreet, respectfully report as follows:
Lieutenant-General Longstreet was the commander of the First Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia, and the last survivor of the great warriors upon whom that rank was first conferred when the Confederate armies were organized into corps. He was known as the “Fighting General,” and, with the exception of the battle of Chancellorsville, was with General Lee in all his campaigns from the Seven Days’ fight around Richmond until the war ended at Appomattox, save only when incapacitated a few months by wounds received in the battle of the Wilderness in 1864. He was loved and respected by his soldiers, and the surviving veterans of his corps have always honored their leader and are mourners at his grave.
Resolved, That we who knew him and followed him through the dangers and trials of protracted war claim the privilege of paying our tribute of heartfelt sorrow to the memory of our dead commander.
Resolved, That we extend to his widow and surviving children our sympathy in their affliction.
Resolved, That this memorial be spread upon the records of this Camp, and that a copy be sent to his bereaved family.
Thos. M. Smith,J. C. Causey,Committee.
Thos. M. Smith,J. C. Causey,
Committee.
*****
“General Lee leaned on him as a strong arm of defence.”
“General Lee leaned on him as a strong arm of defence.”
In the death of General James Longstreet passes away one of the most prominent generals of the Southern Confederacy. He was born in Edgefield District, South Carolina, January 8, 1821. When ten years old, in 1831, he moved with his mother to Alabama, and from this State he was appointed to the United States Military Academy, from whence he graduated in 1842. He was assigned to duty at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, in 1842–44; on frontier duty at Natchitoches, Louisiana, 1844–45; in the occupation of Texas, 1845–46; and in the war with Mexico. Here he was wounded, was promoted several times for gallantry, his courage being observable on all occasions. He faithfully discharged his duties as an officer of the United States until June 1, 1861, when he resigned and entered the service of the Southern Confederacy. His career is well known to his comrades, and is a part of the glorious history of our Southern cause. He was a brave soldier, a superior officer, brave and true, and one of the hardest fighters of the Army of Northern Virginia. General Lee had implicit confidence in him, and leaned on him as a strong arm of defence in the most desperate fighting and splendid generalship. Longstreet was a man of the front, where he stood to execute orders the most difficult and hazardous, and did not lay aside his sword until his leader surrendered his shattered forces, until there was no more fighting to do. He was cool, deliberate, and yet generous. It became an acknowledged fact that where Longstreet and his brave men were, was sure and desperate fighting. He stood in line of battle ready for engagement when the surrender came, loosening his grip on his faithful sword only when the war had ended.
We honor him for his works’ sake, and bow our heads in memory of his wonderful achievements, his devotedness to duty, and love for our great Southland.
Resolved, That this memorial be spread upon the minutes of this Camp, a copy furnished the family of our deceased comrade, and a copy furnished such papers as may wish to publish the same.
Done by order of J. E. B. Stuart Camp, No. 45, U. C. V., Terrell, Texas, January 16,A.D.1904.
Vic. Reinhardt,Adjutant.
*****
“He was one of the most persistent and determined fighters that any country ever produced.”
“He was one of the most persistent and determined fighters that any country ever produced.”
Your committee appointed by Horace King Camp, No. 476, U. C. V., Decatur, Alabama, to prepare resolutions expressive of their profound sorrow at the death of Lieutenant-General James Longstreet, of Confederate army fame, beg leave toreport,—
First, That in General Longstreet’s death we have lost one of the bravest generals who fought on either side of the Civil War—one whom the great Lee called the right arm of the Army of Northern Virginia. He was one of the most persistent and determined fighters that any country ever produced.
Second, He was independent, self-reliant, watchful, devoted to the cause he espoused. He never flinched from unexpected difficulties, and showed his readiness to die at his post if need be. He was a man of superb courage. “He not only acted without fear, but he had that fortitude of soul that bears the consequence of the course pursued without complaint.” In the presence of death, the good man judges as he would be judged. In the grave should be buried every prejudice and passion born in conflict of opinion. Fortunate are we, indeed, when we become great enough to know and appreciate the great. Longstreet was brave enough to follow the path of duty as he saw it, no matter where it led. In speaking words of love and praise over his grave, we honor ourselves. May we with gratitude remember the good that he has done. May he rest in peace.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent the family of the deceased, and that they be spread upon the record of the Camp.
W. W. Littlejohn,Samuel Blackwell,Committee.
W. W. Littlejohn,Samuel Blackwell,
Committee.
The foregoing resolutions were adopted by a rising vote of the Camp, January 14, 1904.
W. H. Long,Commander.W. R. Francis,Adjutant.
W. H. Long,Commander.W. R. Francis,Adjutant.
*****
“We had reason to respect him as a foe.”
“We had reason to respect him as a foe.”
Head-quarters Seventy-ninth Regiment,New York Volunteer Highlanders,Veteran Association.
Whereas, It has come to our knowledge that our esteemed Honorary Member, Lieutenant-General James Longstreet, late of the Confederate army, has passed to that bourne from which no traveller has ever returned; and
Whereas, We had reason to respect him as a foe with whom we were often in conflict, and to whom we sometimes had to yield the palm of victory, and especially do we remember the gallant fight he and his tried veterans made at Fort Saunders, Knoxville, East Tennessee, on November 29, 1863, when we were victorious only after he had thrice been repulsed; and
Whereas, We also remember with pleasure the reunion of the Blue and the Gray held at Knoxville in 1890, where we again renewed our acquaintance with the General and his gallant band, but under far different and pleasanter circumstances—they were our foes in 1863, our friends in 1890; and we also recall the many hours we passed in his company when we fought our battles over and over again, and where we had the pleasure of placing upon our roll the name of General Longstreet as an honorary member; therefore, be it
Resolved, That in his death we feel that there has passed awaya gallant soldier and gentleman, who in the conflict and struggle of the Civil War, where so many gave their lives to defend the cause which each espoused, we learned to respect, and in peace we learned to love; and we therefore extend to his widow and family in their bereavement our heartfelt sympathy, committing them to the loving care of the Divine Master, who alone can comfort them in their affliction.
Francis W. Judge,President.Charles Crawford,Secretary.
Francis W. Judge,President.Charles Crawford,Secretary.
Francis W. Judge,
President.
Charles Crawford,
Secretary.
*****
“He won for our armies a world-wide reputation.”
“He won for our armies a world-wide reputation.”
Camp General Frank Gardner, No. 580, U. C. V.,Lafayette, Louisiana, January 14th, 1904.
Whereas, This is the first meeting of this Camp held since death has claimed as one of its victims the distinguished Confederate soldier, General James Longstreet, who departed this life on the 2d day of January, 1904, at Gainesville, Georgia; and
Whereas, This Camp recognizes the great services rendered to the cause by the brilliant soldier, and desires to render its meed of just tribute to the memory of the gallant officer and commander; therefore be it
Resolved, That in the death of General James Longstreet we mourn the loss of one of the most illustrious of the great generals who led our armies to victory on many a hard-fought field against almost overwhelming odds, gaining for our devoted armies a world-wide reputation that ranks them among the best soldiers of the age.
Resolved, That these resolutions be entered in the records of our Camp as a memento of our admiration and appreciation of this distinguished general and citizen, and that a copy be sent to the family of the deceased.
C. Debaillon,Captain Commanding.P. L. DeClouet,Adjutant.
C. Debaillon,Captain Commanding.P. L. DeClouet,Adjutant.
C. Debaillon,
Captain Commanding.
P. L. DeClouet,
Adjutant.
*****
“The Gettysburg charges are not supported by authentic history or satisfactory evidence.”
“The Gettysburg charges are not supported by authentic history or satisfactory evidence.”
Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God to call to him the immortal soul of General James Longstreet, lieutenant-general in the Army of the Confederate States of America, whose record as a broad-minded citizen and conscientious, upright, and honorable officer in the various civil positions he has held, is only excelled by the great service he rendered his country, as the soldier and general, whose bravery, fortitude, ability, and devotion to duty was excelled by none whose fortunes were cast with his, beneath the “Stars and Bars;” and
Whereas, There is among certain ones in the South a disposition to reflect upon his fidelity to the trust imposed upon him at the battle of Gettysburg, and place upon his shoulders the blame for General Lee’s loss of that engagement; be it
Resolved, That we deprecate the spirit that would induce one Confederate soldier to stoop from the pedestal upon which history has placed him, to deprive another of the honor to which he is justly entitled.
Resolved, That we heartily approve of the course taken during his life by the late General Longstreet,—in ignoring the attacks and calumnies heaped upon him by those who were his comrades in arms,—as showing the true greatness of the man.
Resolved, That we further believe, when the true facts are known, an admiring and grateful people will place him second only to the immortal Lee, who, though all the facts were known to him, exhonerated Longstreet from all blame, saying, “The fault is mine.”
Resolved, That this Camp do hereby attest its belief in his fidelity, ability, and high moral character, and that the so-called Gettysburg charges are not supported by authentic history or satisfactory evidence.
Resolved, That we here extend to the family of General Longstreet our heartfelt sympathy in this, their, and their nation’s loss, and that one copy of these resolutions be mailed to Mrs.James Longstreet, one be printed in our local papers, and another be spread on the minutes of this Camp.
Respectfully submitted,James R. Keith.
The above resolutions were adopted by Pat Cleburne Camp, No. 436, U. S. C. V., of Cleburne, Texas, at a regular meeting of that Camp, held on Sunday, January 24, 1904.
Jas. R. Keith,Commandant.W. F. Black,Adjutant.
Jas. R. Keith,Commandant.W. F. Black,Adjutant.
*****
“He was a true and tried leader of men.”
“He was a true and tried leader of men.”
To Pat Cleburne Camp, No. 222, Waco, Texas:
Your committee respectfully recommend the following resolutions as to General Longstreet:
Whereas, We have heard with deep regret of the recent death of General James Longstreet, commander forty years ago of the First Corps, Army of Northern Virginia, Confederate States army; therefore be it
Resolved, That in the death of General James Longstreet the country at large has lost a true and tried leader of men, and the Confederate Veterans have parted with a comrade and commander in whom they reposed implicit confidence and one ever ready to defend his cause against any foe, foreign or domestic.
Resolved, That the war that has been and is being waged on the military record of General Longstreet for failure to do his duty at the battle of Gettysburg is not in keeping, in our opinion, with the record as it is made up from the reports of General Lee, commander-in-chief of the Confederate army in that conflict. If General Longstreet had failed to execute the orders of General Lee, and been the cause of the defeat of the Confederate army, as is charged, we believe he would have been court-martialed and dismissed from the service instead of being retained and trusted on down to Appomattox, as he was.
Resolved, That we deplore and deeply regret the action of theSavannah Chapter of the Daughters of the Confederacy in refusing a floral offering to be placed on the bier of General Longstreet. His heroic conduct as a soldier of the Confederacy, his wounds and sacrifices in our glorious but disastrous struggle for freedom, would have certainly entitled him to the slight token of gratitude as he was passing out from among us forever.
Geo. Clark.John C. West.M. B. Davis.
Geo. Clark.John C. West.M. B. Davis.
Geo. Clark.John C. West.M. B. Davis.
*****
“At the end of the unequal contest he sheathed a stainless sword.”
“At the end of the unequal contest he sheathed a stainless sword.”
Whereas, It has pleased an all wise Providence to remove from this life Lieutenant-General James Longstreet, commander of the First Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia, and second ranking officer in that army; and
Whereas, In all the eventful campaigns of that army, from Manassas to Appomattox, General Longstreet was a conspicuous figure, enjoying the full confidence and affection of our peerless chieftain, General Robert E. Lee, whose own right arm leaned on him for support; and
Whereas, In our second struggle for independence he displayed sincere devotion, great military skill, serene courage, and an indomitable will and resolution, which has shed honor upon Southern arms and added lustre to the imperishable fame of Southern soldiers; and
Whereas, He shed his blood freely in our behalf, and at the end of the unequal contest sheathed a stainless sword which for four years had flashed in the front of battle and victory.
Resolved, That we mourn with deep sorrow the death of this illustrious leader, and will ever cherish with gratitude and admiration the memory of his example, his sacrifices, and his heroic achievements.
Resolved, That we tender to his family our sincere sympathy in this great bereavement.
Resolved, That a page be set apart in our minutes upon which these resolutions shall be recorded, and that a copy be sent to the family of General Longstreet.
Copy from the minutes of Cobb-Deloney Camp, United Confederate Veterans, Athens, Georgia, January 14, 1904.
Wm. G. Carithers,Adjutant.
*****
“He was ever loyal to duty and the Southern cause.”
“He was ever loyal to duty and the Southern cause.”
Whereas, Lieutenant-General James Longstreet died at his home in Gainesville, Georgia, on the 2d day of January, 1904; and
Whereas, As a Southern soldier General Longstreet won imperishable fame and glory as a corps commander in the armies of the Confederacy during the fateful days of the ’60’s, and was held in the highest esteem and confidence by the knightly and matchless Lee, and was ever loyal to duty and the cause of the Southern Confederacy; be it therefore
Resolved, That we have heard with sincere regret of the death of this gallant gentleman who in his lifetime exemplified in the highest degree the courage, chivalry and patriotism of the South, upon a hundred of his country’s battle-fields.
Resolved, That in common with all citizens of the Southland we lament his demise and honor and revere his memory for his great service to his country and his people as a soldier of the Southern Confederacy. No braver heart beat beneath the Confederate gray, no more heroic soul paid allegiance to the Stars and Bars. Honor to his memory! Peace to his ashes!
Resolved, That this resolution be entered upon the minutes of the General Council and a copy thereof, certified to under the hand and seal of the clerk, be forwarded by him to the family of the distinguished dead, and that the City Hall flag be lowered to half-mast on to-morrow the 6th instant.
Adopted by a unanimous rising vote.
Georgia, Fulton County,City of Atlanta.
I, W. J. Campbell, clerk of Council of the city of Atlanta, do certify that the attached is a true copy of a resolutionadopted by the General Council of said city on January 5, 1904, the original of which is of record and on file in the office of said clerk of Council.
In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my hand and seal of office, this January 11, 1904.
W. J. Campbell,Clerk of Council.
*****
“We deplore and deeply regret the action of the Savannah Daughters.”
“We deplore and deeply regret the action of the Savannah Daughters.”
The committee appointed to express the views of Camp Walker, U. C. V., No. 925, on the military record of General James Longstreet, beg leave to report as follows:
Whereas, We have heard with deep regret of the recent death of General James Longstreet, commander forty years ago of the First Army Corps, A. N. Va., Confederate States army; therefore
Resolved, That in the death of General James Longstreet the country at large has lost a true and tried leader of men, and the Confederate Veterans have parted with a commander in whom they reposed implicit confidence, and one ever ready to defend his cause against any foe, foreign or domestic.
Resolved, That the war that has been, and is being waged on the military record of General James Longstreet for failure to do his duty at the battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is not in keeping, in our opinion, with the record as it is made up from the orders of General Robert E. Lee, commander-in-chief of the Confederate army in that great conflict. If General Longstreet had failed to execute the orders of General Lee, and had been the cause of the defeat of the Confederate army, as is charged, we believe he would have been court-martialed and dismissed from the service, instead of being retained and trusted, on down to Appomattox, as he was.
Resolved, That we deplore and deeply regret the action of the Savannah Chapter, Daughters of the Confederacy, in refusing to supply a floral offering to be placed on the bier of General James Longstreet. His heroic conduct as a soldier of the Confederacy, his wounds and sacrifices in our glorious but disastrousstruggle for freedom, would have certainly entitled him to this slight token of gratitude as he was passing out from among us forever.
M. V. Estes,J. B. McFadden,J. G. Ramsey,Committee.
M. V. Estes,J. B. McFadden,J. G. Ramsey,
Committee.
Resolutions unanimously adopted by order of the Camp.
J. S. Holland,Commander.James G. Ramsey,Adjutant.
J. S. Holland,Commander.James G. Ramsey,Adjutant.
J. S. Holland,
Commander.
James G. Ramsey,
Adjutant.
Atlanta, Georgia, January 11, 1904.
*****
“A noble, heroic, and spotless soldier.”
“A noble, heroic, and spotless soldier.”
“I was a member of Longstreet’s corps for three years,” said General McGlashan, in the preface to his resolutions, “I followed the fortunes of that corps, served with it, saw its work, saw its sufferings, its victories, and its grandeur of behavior on every battle-field from Seven Pines to Appomattox, for I was fortunate enough to be wounded at only one fight, and if any one in so humble a position as I was could say anything about his leader, I think I can.
“You all know the reputation of Longstreet’s corps; you know the glory of its service and what it accomplished on many battle-fields, and you cannot dissociate General Longstreet from the glory and reputation of his corps.” General McGlashan was here interrupted by cheers. Continuing, he said, “We are concerned with nothing that may have been said of General Longstreet after the war; we are here to remember him as a great Confederate general and leader.
“When General Longstreet, in his old gray coat, came to Atlanta in 1886, Jefferson Davis received him with open arms; there was no lack of confidence or acceptance there, and it is not for any others to say what Lee and Davis left unsaid.”
General McGlashan then introduced the following resolutions:
Whereas, It hath pleased our Almighty Father to call to himself, in the fulness of years, our beloved comrade and leader, General James Longstreet; be it
Resolved, That in the death of General Longstreet, we have lost a true and gallant comrade, an able and victorious leader of the Confederate hosts in the past, whose deeds are among the proudest memories of the South; the South a noble, heroic, and spotless son; the nation a true citizen who reflected honor on whatever cause he undertook; and the world a great soldier whose fame will survive with the annals of the Lost Cause.
Resolved, That we extend our deepest sympathy to the family of our deceased comrade in their great bereavement, and that a copy of these resolutions be sent them.
*****
“The patriot who gave his all.”
“The patriot who gave his all.”
Rome, Georgia, January 12, 1904.
Mrs. James Longstreet,Gainesville, Georgia:
Madam,—At a meeting held to-day of Floyd County Camp, United Confederate Veterans, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, Our honored and beloved fellow-comrade of the United Confederate Veterans, Lieutenant-General James Longstreet, quietly and peacefully died at his home in Gainesville, Georgia, on Saturday, January 2, 1904, and recognizing in him the true man, the good citizen, the soldier without fear, the patriot who willingly offered his all and shed his own blood on his country’s altar, and the man who feared nothing but God; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Floyd County Camp, No. 368, United Confederate Veterans, while bowing to the ever-wise, always loving decrees of God, are deeply grieved and sincerely sorry at this the death of another great captain of the SouthernCause; at the same time rejoicing in the confident assurance and abiding trust that he has, only a little in advance of us, passed “over the river and is now sweetly resting under the shade of the trees” with Lee, Jackson, Beauregard, Johnston, Polk, Gordon, and the thousands of others who grandly and gloriously followed the same dear flag.
Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of this Camp, that a copy be forwarded to the family of our deceased comrade, accompanied by our sincerest and deepest sympathy.
Thompson Stiles,G. W. Fleetwood,M. W. Bratt,A. B. S. Moseley,J. H. Camp,Committee.
Thompson Stiles,G. W. Fleetwood,M. W. Bratt,A. B. S. Moseley,J. H. Camp,
Committee.
*****
“His life full to the brim of manly principle.”
“His life full to the brim of manly principle.”
This Camp has heard with profound sorrow of the death of Lieutenant-General Longstreet.
His life had reached the full measure of human probation; but it was full to the brim of manly principle, heroic service, and dauntless courage. Loyal to his Southland and to all the interest committed to him by his country, he maintained his integrity of character and the unbounded confidence of all right-minded men to the end.
Tried in the school of civic life and in the crucible of battle, he filled a creditable page in the fateful and tragic incidents of the sixties, and then shared all the privations common to his fellow-comrades in helping to rehabilitate the homes of a people wrecked by the scourge of civil war.
As a Camp we desire to re-express our unbounded confidence in his military career and in his unswerving devotion to the best interests of mankind.
Having passed through the gate which is ajar for all humanity, we mournfully bid the old commander and veteran of the “Lost Cause” a final adieu.
J. A. Speight,J. S. Whitworth,J. L. R. Harris,Committee.
J. A. Speight,J. S. Whitworth,J. L. R. Harris,
Committee.
E. L. Cox,Commander.
*****
“His fame and glory belong to the South.”
“His fame and glory belong to the South.”
Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God to remove from this earth our distinguished comrade, General James Longstreet; therefore be it
Resolved, That we deeply lament the death of our comrade, and shall ever cherish and revere his memory.
Resolved, The ever memorable relief of that arch hero “Stonewall” Jackson, when hard pressed by overwhelming forces of the enemy at the second battle of Manassas, by which prompt action pending defeat was turned into glorious victory, entitles General Longstreet to a lofty pedestal in the Temple of Fame.
Resolved, We honor and revere our deceased comrade not only for his great military achievements, but for the personal solicitude and care that he always had for the welfare and comfort of the private soldier, causing all who served under him to regard him with unbounded confidence and affection.
Resolved, The fame and glory of General Longstreet, one of the last of the great lieutenants of the incomparable Lee, belongs to the South, especially to those who, like him, fought for its independence, and by them it will be kept and cherished as one of its precious treasures.
“Sleep, soldier, sleep, thy warfare’s o’er.”
“Sleep, soldier, sleep, thy warfare’s o’er.”
J. B. Wolf.Ed. F. English.W. M. McGregor.
J. B. Wolf.Ed. F. English.W. M. McGregor.
I certify that the above is a copy of the resolutions spread upon the minutes of our Camp January 13, 1904.
James B. Moore,Adjutant.
Camp Ben McCulloch, U. C. V., Cameron, Texas.
*****
“Courage and honor his characteristics as soldier and citizen.”
“Courage and honor his characteristics as soldier and citizen.”
Resolved, That the John B. Gordon Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Atlanta, Georgia, has heard with great sorrow of the death of General James Longstreet, which occurred at his home at Gainesville, Georgia, on the 2d day of January, 1904.
His life was one of fealty and devotion to the cause for which he fought, while courage and honor were his characteristics both as soldier and citizen.
It can truthfully be said of him: He was great among our many illustrious leaders of the Confederate States army,—than which there can be no higher tribute paid to man,—and after having bravely served his country during its darkest hours, accepting the arbitrament of the sword in a spirit that history now adjudges to have been commendable, he became a good citizen of our reunited country.
Resolved, That as an expression of the high regard in which we, the sons of the men who followed the lead of this great captain, hold his services to our Southland as a soldier, and as a testimonial of our regard for his character as a man, direct that these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of our Camp, and further that the secretary be directed to forward a copy of the same to the family of the deceased, with whom we sympathize in the hour of sad bereavement to which Providence in His wisdom subjects them.
H. F. West,Chairman,Hugh W. Dorsey,C. H. Essig,W. B. Ladvall,A. J. McBride, Jr.,Committee.
H. F. West,Chairman,Hugh W. Dorsey,C. H. Essig,W. B. Ladvall,A. J. McBride, Jr.,
Committee.
*****
“The beau-ideal of soldier and patriot.”
“The beau-ideal of soldier and patriot.”
Attention, Comrades:
When men conspicuous for sublime action, such as heroic conduct, goodness or greatness, or other lofty attainment are called to pass over the “river of death,” it is a patriotic duty for surviving comrades to give expression to their grief. It needs not the building of a pantheon or vote of a senate to give them a place among the immortals, to keep alive their illustrious acts and virtues. Most certainly it is not necessary in the case of Longstreet,—“Old Pete,” as he was lovingly called by comrades who followed him unflinchingly through four years of warfare. “Old Pete” is dead, yet he lives in the hearts of his old corps and will continue to live in history, poetry, and song, the beau-ideal of a soldier, patriot, and a lover of liberty. Yet like all men who attain to eminent merit and conspicuous sublimity, he lived to realize the truthfulness of the poet, that
“He who ascends to mountain-tops shall findThe loftiest peaks most wrapt in clouds and snow.He who surpasses or subdues mankindMust look down on the hate of those below,Though high above the sun of glory glow,And far beneath the earth and ocean spread;Round him are icy rocks and loudly blowContending tempests on his naked head,And thus reward the toil which to those summits led.”
“He who ascends to mountain-tops shall findThe loftiest peaks most wrapt in clouds and snow.He who surpasses or subdues mankindMust look down on the hate of those below,Though high above the sun of glory glow,And far beneath the earth and ocean spread;Round him are icy rocks and loudly blowContending tempests on his naked head,And thus reward the toil which to those summits led.”
Such was the fateful experience of our beloved Longstreet, a corps commander and lieutenant-general in the Army of Northern Virginia. To him obedience to constituted authority moulded and shaped the ideal soldier and citizen for his distinguished life service; and became the reasons for his acts in rigidly observing his Appomattox parole. We know that he was one of the bravest of the brave and truest of the true.
Unanimously adopted by the Alexander H. Stephens Camp, U. C. V., Crawfordville, Georgia.
*****
“One of the hardest fighters in Lee’s army.”
“One of the hardest fighters in Lee’s army.”
Whereas, The Great Commander-in-Chief has called “over the river” the gallant Longstreet; therefore be it
Resolved, That Marengo Rifles Chapter, U. D. C., mourns with the entire Southland the death of that daring, brave, and fearless soldier, General James Longstreet, who was one of the strongest supports, and one of the hardest fighters the peerless Lee had in his army; that his fame will ever be cherished by this Chapter as well as by all who “wore the gray.”
Resolved, That we sympathize with the widow of the great leader, to whom a copy of these resolutions will be sent by the secretary.
Mrs. Geo. W. Laylor.Mrs. Benjamin F. Elmore.Miss Mary R. Clarke.
Mrs. Geo. W. Laylor.Mrs. Benjamin F. Elmore.Miss Mary R. Clarke.
*****
“The war-horse of the Confederacy.”
“The war-horse of the Confederacy.”
Head-quarters Jeff Lee Camp, No. 68,United Confederate Veterans,Adjutant’s Office, McAlester, I. T., January 23, 1904.
Head-quarters Jeff Lee Camp, No. 68,United Confederate Veterans,Adjutant’s Office, McAlester, I. T., January 23, 1904.
Head-quarters Jeff Lee Camp, No. 68,
United Confederate Veterans,
Adjutant’s Office, McAlester, I. T., January 23, 1904.
Whereas, The Supreme Commander of all the hosts has ordered our beloved comrade and friend, General James Longstreet, the old war-horse of the Confederacy, to report at head-quarters a little in advance of us, his fellow-soldiers; therefore be it
Resolved, That while we shall miss from our councils and general convention our brother and comrade, the sunlight of whose presence upon the hard-fought battle-fields enabled us to bear more easily our long marches and severe engagements of the four years’ campaign, we know that the order came from One who doeth all things well, and are certain that in the dispensation of eternity we shall concur in its wisdom.
Resolved, That so long as our little remnant of life shall hold out, we shall feel a pride in the military record of our brother and comrade.
Resolved, That Jeff Lee Camp, No. 68, extend its loving sympathy to the family of our departed comrade in the darkest hour of their lives.
Resolved, That these resolutions be entered in the record book of the Camp, a copy of them be presented to the daily and weekly papers for publication, and a copy sent to the surviving widow of our comrade.