Longstreet was a brilliant tactician and strategist who adapted to technological changes and the disparity between the belligerents, advocating for defensive warfare. However, his advice was not heeded and he came into conflict with General Robert E. Lee at Gettysburg and Chickamauga. This work offers a fresh and unique perspective on Longstreet and the Civil War, examining his views of the generals and the tactics and strategy they employed.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2022
Publisher: Casemate Publishers

Lieutenant-General James Longstreet, Commander of the First Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia, was a Brilliant Tactician and Strategist

Prior to the Civil War, there were Many Technological Developments, of which the Rifled Musket and Cannon, Rail Transport and the Telegraph were a Few

In Addition, the North Enjoyed a Great Advantage in Manpower and Resources

Longstreet Adapted to These Technological Changes and the Disparity Between the Belligerents, Making Recommendations on How the War Should Be Fought

Longstreet Made a Leap of Thinking to Adjust to This New Type of Warfare

Many Others Did Not Make This Leap, Including Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, Bragg, Hood and Jefferson Davis

Unfortunately, His Advice Was Not Heeded and Given the Weight It Deserved

In Contrast to Many Other Southern Generals, Longstreet Advocated for Defensive Warfare, Using Entrenchments and Trying to Maneuver the Enemy to Assault His Position, Conserving Manpower, Resources and Supplies

With the Advent of the Highly Accurate and Long-Range Rifled Musket, Offensive Tactics Became Questionable and Risky

This Caused Longstreet to Come into Conflict with General Robert E. Lee at Gettysburg

Longstreet Opposed the Gettysburg Campaign and Lee's Battle Plans at Gettysburg Against General Meade and the Army of the Potomac

At Chickamauga, Longstreet Was at Odds with General Bragg on How to Proceed After the Stunning Victory by the Army of Tennessee Over Rosecrans and His Forces

Longstreet Was Never Given Full Authority Over an Army in the Field

He Was a Pragmatic and Methodical General and Had His Suggestions Been Utilized, There Would Have Been a Better Outcome for the South

Many Historians and Biographers Have Misunderstood Longstreet and His Motives, Not Focusing on the Total Picture

Dimension: 228 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781636241173