Longstreet at Gettysburg

A Critical Reassessment

De: Cory M. Pfarr

Narrado por: Mike Hennessy

This is the first book-length, critical analysis of Lieutenant General James Longstreet's actions at the Battle of Gettysburg. The author argues that Longstreet's record has been discredited unfairly, beginning with character assassination by his contemporaries after the war and, persistently, by historians in the decades since. By closely studying the three-day battle, and conducting an incisive historiographical inquiry into Longstreet's treatment by scholars, this book presents an alternative view of Longstreet as an effective military leader, and refutes over a century of negative evaluations of his performance.

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©2019 McFarland (P)2023 McFarland

Reseñas de la Crítica

Winner, 2019, Gettysburg Civil War Roundtable's Distinguished Book Award, best book published on the Gettysburg Campaign

Long overdue, fearless scholarship

I enjoyed the author’s fresh perspectives in this monograph and he’s not afraid to challenge established historians who repeat old shopworn narratives without scrutiny. I particularly enjoyed the discussions around Ewell, Hill, Anderson, Rodes, and Pender because I’ve often wondered about their roles on Day 2 and lack of critical examination surrounding their participation. Great read!

A Suburb Look at a Much-Maligned Leader

Napoleon is reputed to have said, "History is lies, agreed upon." The common treatment of James Longstreet could be cited as proof that Napoleon knew whereof he spoke. Indeed, there is no General on either side of the Civil War, with the possible exceptions of Grant and Sherman, who have received worse treatment at the hands of the self-appointed Southern crowd who tried to hijack the nation's memory of the events of 1861-1865.

According to this crew, Longstreet committed two great sins. First, he acted upon his belief in reconciliation between North and South once the War ended. Second, and more importantly, he was right when the great idol of the Lost Cause, General R.E. Lee, was wrong. For these sins against the South, Longstreet was to be punished for the rest of his life, and for much of the century-plus that followed.

The marvelous thing that Mr. Pfarr does in his book is to examine the work of those who held aloft the legend of the Lost Cause. He then systematically refutes their misconceptions, pointing out the lack of historical evidence for them, the fact that some of their assertions were impossible in terms of time and distance, and, above all, that Longstreet's temperament and actions belied their petty accusations.

Those who want to cuddle up at night with their vision of the faultless Lee and Stonewall Jackson will not enjoy this book. Mr. Pharr writes for those who embrace a truth that squares with the available evidence.

A Fair Review

Debunking all the Lost Cause accusations against Gen'l Longstreet is honorable work. I truly enjoyed adding this title to the scores of other books I have read in my study of Gettysburg. One of my favorite spots on the battlefield is Longstreet's equestrian statue. This book will help keep me objective as I work through Southall's RE LEE.

Appreciate the Perspective

Appreciated the perspective and found myself thinking on this book as I re-watched the movie Gettysburg and how Longstreet was portraid.

the author had shown his work

very well researched and thought out. This one is more for the hard core civil war needs out there but for them this is a delight.

Longstreet Vindicated

Great read. I am looking forward to your next book. I saw you on CWRT and Addressing Gettysburg.

Longstreet was Right

Lee’s Old War Horse at Gettysburg was right and as Freeman notes the failure there was Lee’s. Lee’s piecemeal throwing the ANV against entrenched Federal forces was shortsighted and a waste of manpower that was irresponsible and unnecessary. The third day frontal attack was nigh unto murder.

Interesting topic. Dull execution.

I see many weaknesses with this text and perhaps the beginning of it being the worst with the assertion that somehow a general agreement on strategy should dictate the execution of the day of battle. No general, especially one of the more flexibly minded and risk tolerant commanders -such as R.E. Lee-would abide by a conceptual plan with such rigidity. It seems eminently reasonable that the first and second day of gettysburg might occur if it was believed that Union army was, while in the process of concentrating, arriving peacemeal. It also seems unfair that anyone critical of Longstreet at a tactical level must be a "lost cause" backer. In addition there instances wherein General Lee is criticized for not taking one action and then later criticized again for taking a similar action to the one for which he was censured. A logic for which the author rightly defends Longstreet from later in the text. The fog of war, and slower and predictive/timing reliant pace of 19th century warfare seem to not be given their due as well in terms of giving the benefit of the doubt to Lee vs Longstreet. While there can be little doubt that Longstreet was unfairly vilified, so much of the text feels like a series of strawman argument examinations rather than laying out the course of events as can be established by a new review of the record and then providing a review of the decision-making and leadership of Longstreet. a wider view of the decision-making and order style of Lee also seems unfair slanted or largely onitted. The reader certainly does not help this text either. Although contextually interesting, this work is far too focused on the controversy rather than a new cohesive history of events resulting in a product that can be characterized as somewhat forgettable and the battle of gettysburg merely a setting for an exercise in a military debate of what-ifs.