Victims of the Lost Cause Part I.

[Anthrax]

Originally Posted by semperpietas

I concur that Grant was probably the biggest victim of the Lost Cause, at least for the Union side, and attacks on him reflected in general history are many criticisms that are either Lost Cause originals, or were taken and blown out of proportion by the Lost Cause movement. It is something I hope to expand upon soon in it's own post.

I think I may have to disagree here. While Grant has been hit on a lot, clearly Longstreet suffered the most. I mean, according to General Early and repeated by historians for a generation, he singlehandly lost the war for the South.


*oops, just realized there is 9 pages of discussions on this. I'm sure this has already been discussed.

[hellboy30]

Originally Posted by Anthrax

I think I may have to disagree here. While Grant has been hit on a lot, clearly Longstreet suffered the most. I mean, according to General Early and repeated by historians for a generation, he singlehandly lost the war for the South.


*oops, just realized there is 9 pages of discussions on this. I'm sure this has already been discussed.

No, no....welcome to the discussion & welcome aboard!

[B7B Southern]

Originally Posted by hellboy30

No, no....welcome to the discussion & welcome aboard!

Yep. Welcome. Hellboy is da #1

[semperpietas]

Originally Posted by Anthrax

I think I may have to disagree here. While Grant has been hit on a lot, clearly Longstreet suffered the most. I mean, according to General Early and repeated by historians for a generation, he singlehandly lost the war for the South.


*oops, just realized there is 9 pages of discussions on this. I'm sure this has already been discussed.

Longstreet was definitely the biggest victim of the Lost Cause reputation wise... which I put the following disclaimer when I mentioned Grant...
*at least for the Union side*

[newjack66]

Originally Posted by sempiternal

Longstreet was definitely the biggest victim of the Lost Cause reputation wise... which I put the following disclaimer when I mentioned Grant...
*at least for the Union side*

I arrive late on the 'field of battle' but in my readings I can not find definitive evidence that Lee, whilst still alive, tried to refute the attacks levelled on Longstreet (his 'old war horse') post civil war.

Was Lee aware (he must have been) on the criticism of Longstreet. ... or by remaining silent (or not as robust in his defence), was Lee in agreement with those criticisms?

It just frustrates me that Lee may have curbed the Lost Cause debate somewhat.

I defer to other well studied/read people than myself for some understanding of Lees post war views...

Thanks in anticipation ....

[semperpietas]

Originally Posted by newjack66

I arrive late on the 'field of battle' but in my readings I can not find definitive evidence that Lee, whilst still alive, tried to refute the attacks levelled on Longstreet (his 'old war horse') post civil war.

Was Lee aware (he must have been) on the criticism of Longstreet. ... or by remaining silent (or not as robust in his defence), was Lee in agreement with those criticisms?

It just frustrates me that Lee may have curbed the Lost Cause debate somewhat.

I defer to other well studied/read people than myself for some understanding of Lees post war views...

Thanks in anticipation ....

That is because the first attack against Longstreet was launched by Jubal Early on January 19th, 1872 in an address in commemoration of Lee's birthday at Washington and Lee College. He falsely claimed that Longstreet was supposed to attack at dawn on July 2nd. Lee had been dead for two years and thus could not refute the claims.

[newjack66]

Originally Posted by semperpietas

That is because the first attack against Longstreet was launched by Jubal Early on January 19th, 1872 in an address in commemoration of Lee's birthday at Washington and Lee College. He falsely claimed that Longstreet was supposed to attack at dawn on July 2nd. Lee had been dead for two years and thus could not refute the claims.

Thanks for that, I thought the Early & co were active much earlier ....

So would it be fair to say that Early perhaps timed his attacks after Lees death?

[semperpietas]

Originally Posted by newjack66

Thanks for that, I thought the Early & co were active much earlier ....

So would it be fair to say that Early perhaps timed his attacks after Lees death?

Quite fair. Early had in fact positioned himself as the head of several to memorial and veteran organizations and the influence he wielded was immense.

[newjack66]

Originally Posted by semperpietas

Quite fair. Early had in fact positioned himself as the head of several to memorial and veteran organizations and the influence he wielded was immense.

Yes I have read that. Did the spotlight ever turn on Early's own wartime record ?

[semperpietas]

Originally Posted by newjack66

Yes I have read that. Did the spotlight ever turn on Early's own wartime record ?

It was when Early tried to attack Mahone and Stuart. Mahone quickly fired back at Early, and it got to the point where Mahone challenged Early to a duel (Early dropped the subject matter after this). Mosby and other Stuart supporters were quick to criticize Early's own failings in the Gettysburg campaign, to which Early also lessened up.

[newjack66]

Originally Posted by semperpietas

It was when Early tried to attack Mahone and Stuart. Mahone quickly fired back at Early, and it got back to the point where Mahone challenged Early to a duel (Early dropped the subject matter after this). Mosby and other Stuart supporters were quick to criticize Early's own failings in the Gettysburg campaign, to which Early also lessened up.

Thanks for your comments. I appreciate the fact that it must be late in your part of the states.

Looking forward to the rest of your essays.

Regards.

[semperpietas]

Originally Posted by newjack66

Thanks for your comments. I appreciate the fact that it must be late in your part of the states.

Looking forward to the rest of your essays.

Regards.

Don't Worry. It is not even 8 where I am (CST).

[Anthrax]

This does beg the question, if Longstreet hadn't made himself a target, or had offered more resistence, who would Early have turned his sights on?

[semperpietas]

Rest assured I have not forgotten these. I have just wrapped up finals and I am now home for the summer. I hope to finish the Beauregard essay and next week and either start on Thomas or Longstreet.