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James Longstreet

James Longstreet Quotes

Military Commander

James Longstreet was a prominent military commander during the American Civil War. Known for his exceptional tactical skills and command abilities, he was one of the key figures in the Union army. His performance on the battlefield had a significant impact on the outcome of the war.

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All Civil War War Fighting Ifs Men Dies Unions Born Brother Enough

Famous James Longstreet Quotes

“The passions of the titanic struggle will finally enter upon the sleep of oblivion, and only its splendid accomplishments for the cause of human freedom and a united nation, stronger and richer in patriotism because of the great strife, will be remembered.”

Humans Passion Nations Causes Sleep United Struggle Stronger Remembered Accomplishment Strife United Nations Oblivion Splendid Human Freedom

Author:James Longstreet

“My arm is paralyzed; my voice that once could be heard all along the line, is gone; I can scarcely speak above a whisper; my hearing is very much impaired, and sometimes I feel as if I wished the end would come; but I have some misrepresentations of my battles that I wish to correct, so as to have my record correct before I die.”

Ifs Feels I Can Ends Sometimes Dies Speak Wish Voice Lines Gone Records Heard Arms Battle Hearing Paralyzed Before I Die Misrepresentation

Author:James Longstreet

“I hope to live long enough to see my surviving comrades march side by side with the Union veterans along Pennsylvania Avenue, and then I will die happy.”

“There was no indication of panic. The broken files marched back in steady step. The effort was nobly made and failed from the blows that could not be fended.”

Made Effort Steps Broken Blow Steady Panic Files Indication

Book:From Manassas to Appomattox (Civil War Classics): Memoirs of the Civil War in America

Source: From Manassas to Appomattox (Civil War Classics): Memoirs of the Civil War in America

“I cannot help but think that great results would have been obtained had my views been thought better of; yet I am much inclined to accept the present condition as for the best.”

Thinking Has Beens Helping Results Views Accepting Conditions Great Results

Author:James Longstreet

“Why do men fight who were born to be brothers?”

Men War Fighting Born Brother Civil War

Author:James Longstreet

“General, if you put every Union soldier now on the other side of the Potomac on that field to approach me over the same line, I will kill them all before they reach my line.”

Ifs War Sides Lines Fields Approach Unions Soldier Civil War

Author:James Longstreet

“I do not want to make this charge. I do not see how it can succeed. I would not make it now but that General Lee has ordered it and expects it.”

Want War Succeed Civil War General Lee

Author:James Longstreet

“General, unless he offers us honorable terms, come back and let us fight it out!”

War Fighting Term Offers Civil War Honorable

Author:James Longstreet

“I have been a soldier all my life. I have commanded companies, I have commanded regiments. I have commanded divisions. And I have commanded even more. But there are no fifteen thousand men i the world that can go across that ground.”

Men World Has Beens War Company Thousand Soldier Civil War Division Fifteen

Author:James Longstreet

“The next time we met was at Appomattox, and the first thing that General Grant said to me when we stepped inside, placing his hand in mine was, Pete, let us have another game of brag, to recall the days that were so pleasant. Great God! I thought to myself, how my heart swells out to such magnanimous touch of humanity. Why do men fight who were born to be brothers?”

Men Firsts Heart Said War Hands Humanity Fighting Next Games Born Mines Brother My Heart Mets Civil War Pleasant Grants Recalls Next Time Brag Magnanimous General Grant

Author:James Longstreet

“If we only save the finger of one man, that's enough.”

Ifs Men War Enough Fingers Civil War One Man

Author:James Longstreet

“This is a hard fight and we had better all die than lose it.”

War Hard Dies Fighting Loses Civil War

Author:James Longstreet

“Time sets all things right. Error lives but a day. Truth is eternal.”

War Truth Is Eternal All Things Errors Civil War

Author:James Longstreet

“I fancy that no good ideas upon that campaign will be mentioned at any time that did not receive their share of consideration by General Lee.”

Ideas Share Brilliant Campaigns Fancy Consideration Good Ideas Brilliant Ideas General Lee

Author:James Longstreet

“If the entire Union Army comes across here, I will kill them all!”

Ifs Military Army Unions

Author:James Longstreet

About the Author

Born: January 8, 1821
Died: January 2, 1904
Known for: Military Commander
Quotes: 16

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Civil War War Fighting Ifs Men Dies Unions Born Brother Enough

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Books & Sources

From Manassas to Appomattox (Civil War Classics): Memoirs of the Civil War in AmericaRelated source material

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