#ulysses s grant
General James Longstreet(Confederate)
One of the most prominent generals of the war, and later one of the Confederacy’s most controversial figures, this picture of Longstreet was taken at some point after the war had ended. We find him looking well-fed and distinguished, with his salt-and-pepper beard perhaps betraying a touch of artificial help in his very dark hair.
Longstreet was one of the best generals on either side, a senior corps commander in General Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia for much of the conflict. His finest moment came perhaps at the Second Battle of Bull Run, when he led 25,000 men in the largest mass assault of the entire war to rout the Union Army’s left flank. After the war, Longstreet became the most senior Confederate to join the Republican party during Reconstruction, supporting his old military school friend Ulysses S Grant’s bid for the presidency 1868. Longstreet later served the US government in a variety of roles, including Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. Derided as a traitor by many in the South, Longstreet was blamed for the defeat at Gettysburg and much else besides, and his reputation has only recovered in recent times.
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Brigadier General John A Rawlins(Union)
To describe Rawlins’ beard as straggly would be an understatement. It’s curiously asymmetrical, with a huge chunk at one side which seems to veer off at a strange angle. Given the novelty of photography in the 1860s, you’d think he’d have put a comb through it, at least.
When the war began Rawlins was a lawyer, not a soldier. He became a volunteer aide to Ulysses S Grant, and soon joined the Union Army, staying with Grant throughout the war and beyond. This was the equivalent of backing the right horse, as it was Grant who ultimately succeeded where several others had failed in defeating Robert E Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. Rawlins was promoted to Brigadier General but his main role was as an administrator rather than a soldier. History also credits him with keeping Grant off the booze - if true then perhaps his most valuable achievement in the Union cause. When Grant became President he chose Rawlins as Secretary of War, but he died of tuberculosis shortly after.
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We’ve all been making a big to-do about the 150th anniversary of Gettysburg (and rightfully so), but people often forget another battle that took place around this time, arguably equal in importance: Vicksburg.
It was 150 years ago today that Lieutenant General Pemberton surrendered to Major General Grant after an almost two month siege on the city. The Confederates lost control of the Mississippi a day after Lee’s troops were repulsed at Gettysburg, two defeats that when coupled together spelled disaster for the rebels. It’s often cited as the turning point of the war and, indeed, the victory at Vicksburg paved the way for Grant to be promoted to General-in-chief and we all know the rest of the story.
You can read more about the Battle of Vicksburg at the Civil War Trust’s website, if you feel so inclined.
Happy Fourth of July, everyone!
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ca. 1861-65, [Civil War envelope with a portrait of Maj. Gen. U.S. Grant; addressed Mr. James W. Hensley, Salem, Illinois, Co. D. 111th Reg. Ill. Volunteer, care Capt. Foster]
viathe Library of Congress, Civil War Collection
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I’m on a mission to read a biography of every American president in order of presidential service. Four biographies a year. GRANT was fantastic. I learned so much. A great man.
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