Polk County GaArchives Obituaries.....James Longstreet 1904
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(Cedartown Standard, January 14, 1904) 
Gen. James Longstreet, the ranking General of the Confederacy, died Saturday at 
his home in Gainesville, and his remains were laid to rest yesterday in that 
city with great civic and military honors. He was the most distinguished living 
General of the Civil War, and his death removes the last full-rank commander of 
that great conflict. Gen. Longstreet was a knightly gentleman, a courageous 
soldier and an able commander. His war record is a glorious one, and no 
aftermath of politics, however considered, can detract from the gallant and 
conspicuous part he played on the field of battle. He will always be reckoned 
in history as one of the South’s bravest and most trusted defender, and 
thousands of old surviving Confederates will shed tears over his death, and 
recall the days when they followed his victorious leadership and shared with 
him the fortunes of cruel war. The Standard has an interest communication from 
an old veteran, who was in Longstreet’s command, which will be published next 
week, giving the departed hero a deserved tribute from the heart of a devoted 
follower. (Cedartown Standard, January 7, 1904) Editors Standard: The veterans 
of Gen. Longstreet’s command are pained beyond expression at the passing away 
of their old commander. Not one of them living or dead, who did not love or 
honor him while living, and not mourn his death. They knew him as one of the 
most polished and courteous officers in the southern army. They knew him as one 
of the south’s most heroic defenders one of Gen. Lee’s most capable and trusted 
officers. He is nevertheless true, that in many of the great battles of the 
civil war, notably Williamsburg, 2nd Manassa and Chickamauga, it was Longstreet 
who more perhaps than any other commander caused the defeat of the Federal 
army. Old soldiers will remember what a tremendous cheer went up from General 
Jackson’s men at the 2nd Manassa when that famous General was sorely pressed by 
overwhelming numbers, on seeing Longstreet’s men hurrying to their relief. They 
will remember, too that these two great commanders joining their forces 
together, made that terrific onslaught on, the Federals which was simply 
irresistible and resulted in a complete victory for the Confederates. The 
writer of this recently read a short history of the war written by a Federal 
officer. This historian declared that the Federals couldn’t "drive Longstreet 
from a position he had taken." Under no circumstance would this "bull-dog 
fighter," as he was called in the army, vacate a position unless ordered to do 
so by his superior, Gen. Lee. Let those southerners who so severely criticized 
Gen. Longstreet, who, after the war, accepted an office tendered him by 
President Grant, hang their heads in shame when they think of him as one of the 
South’s bravest soldiers, one who shed his blood on the battlefield in her 
defense. Let those northerners who with equal severity censured President Grant 
for appointing Gen. Longstreet remember that these two distinguished citizens 
and famous soldiers were in their younger days classmates and warm personal 
friends; and now that the war is over. The President forgetting the animosities 
of war voluntarily tendered his old-time friend a position which would help him 
in his impoverished condition. It is a matter of well authenticated history 
that Gen. Longstreet declined to accept the position offered him until he was 
advised to do so by such southerners as Gens. Hood and Beaureguard and Ex-
President Davis. But we forbear, The great General is gone. He needs no 
eulogizing. His fame is imperishable. As long as virtue, truth and patriotism 
are honored he will be remembered. Those who followed him through a terrible 
war can never forget his noble bearing; his soldierly qualities; his devotion 
to duty, his love for his soldiers, his polished manner and his beautiful 
courtesy to all with whom he came in contact. (Cedartown Standard, January 14, 
1904) 


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