James Longstreet: After the Civil War

Hon Benj^m Harrison                                                                                                                                  President elect                                                                                                                                                        Sir.

     Knowing that your Cabinet will be about arranged before you go to Washington, I ask permission to urge the claims of true Southern Republicans. who as true men stood with the South until Slavery became extinct on the memorable 9^th day of April at Appomattox and since that time have been true to the Union and Reconstruction. Now I know that they are as brave and true as any friends you have in the Union. Your enemies cannot buy them at any price. And allow me to say Genl James Longstreet is the noblest “Roman of them all”. You could not please your true friends in the South better than to put him in your Cabinet. May the Good Lord abundantly bless you and make your Administration a grand success.

                         Your Friend,                                                                                                                           Stephen W. Parker                                                                                                                                           Mem. Bar Supreme                                                                                                                                          Court United States

HON. BENJAMIN HARRISON,                                                                                                                  President Elect,                                                                                                                                   Indianapolis, Indiana.

Sir:

     Having learned that General Longstreet will probably be urged for a Cabinet position, I am one of the many thousands of old soldiers of his Army Corps, who receives the report with pleasure and enthusiasm, and beg leave, modestly, to add my tribute to his praise, and to assure you that his appointment would meet with the universal approval of the old Southern Soldiers, and have the happiest effect, I sincerely believe, upon the Southern people generally.

     The career of General Longstreet is well known.  During the Civil War he served the cause, under Lee, with great distinction, and was styled by his commander his “Old War Horse”, and from the beginning to the end, his Corps regarded him with the greatest affection and admiration, and won for him the appellation of “the right hand of Lee”.  The War over, he accepted his parole in good faith and both by word and deed urged his people to a frank and prompt acceptance of the result of the struggle.

     As Adjutant of the Battalion Washington Artillery of New Orleans, I served with General Longstreet at the First Bull Run – afterwards, was Adjutant General of his Artillery Division, – later on, as Major of Artillery, was with him at Chickamauga, and at the end, as Lieutenant Colonel of Artillery, surrendered my Battalion of Artillery with him at Appomattox.

     From my military service and intimate association with General Longstreet during the four years’ war, and afterwards, when we were associated as partners in business pursuits in New Orleans, I learned to love, esteem and admire his many noble qualities of heart and mind, and I again assure you that if you, in the discretion exercised in such matters, should see fit to honor him by appointment to a place in your Cabinet, it will be heartily appreciated and meet with the enthusiastic approbation of the Veterans of the Southern Armies, whose unanimous choice he would be; and the whole people would hail with satisfaction the appointment to such exalted station, “one native and to the manor born”.

I remain, Sir, with sentiments of respect,                                                                                                     Your obedient servant,                                                                                                                                         /s/ W. Miller Owen

Gen^l Benjamin Harrison                                                                                                                           President U.S. Elect                                                                                                                            Indianapolis Indiana

     I was a Major General C.S.A. Army of Northern V^a in the Corps Commanded by Gen^l James Longstreet, under Gen R E Lee; was a classmate of Gen Longstreet at West Point, and his intimate friend since childhood.  Thus knowing the man, and his family and connections I take the liberty of presenting Gen^l Longstreet, as one deserving of high consideration from your administration.

     He is one, identified with the State of Georgia, from its earliest history, through his ancestry, and himself from his childhood has lived among the people, knowing and in Sympathy, with their habits, their home prejudices, their impulses, and their political opinions.

     He is thus, far removed from, and above, the political Adventurers who by their selfishness and greed for office and want of delicacy, in thrusting themselves among and upon, an unwilling people, have done more to keep up sectional prejudices, than all other causes combined.

     He allied himself with the Republican party when he was at the height of his popularity in the South and at a time when to do so, was to commit social suicide and as he had something to lose by doing this- he deserves more consideration for maintaining his consistent attachment to that party. Than any other Republican in Georgia.

     It is needless to dwell upon his Military Career as that is a part of the History of the War, and it is also useless to dwell upon the confidence reposed in him by our two greatest Generals. Gen R E Lee & Gen Joseph E Johnston as that is also a part of that history.  But I know and can bear witness that the confidence was full and complete.  Which is of itself ample evidence the Gen Longstreet has, a high order of Executive ability, Sound judgment, courage, and independence of character, qualities fitting him for the highest position.

I have the Honor to be                                                                                                                                        Very Respectfully                                                                                                                                                 Your obedient Servant                                                                                                                                         /s/ L McLaws

General Benj. Harrison                                                                                                                           President-elect of the U.S.                                                                                                                   Addressed.

Respected Sir:-  As a Louisianan, and ex-Confederate soldier, and more especially as a Republican who has passed through the trying ordeals of the party’s existence in this State preserving the good will and confidence of his fellow citizens of all classes; also as an active journalist (for many years) with unsurpassed opportunities of gauging public sentiment, I respectfully pray, if the South is to receive political recognition through an appointment in your Cabinet, that the choice may fall upon Gen. James Longstreet.

     I believe that none can better serve in the great work of rehabilitating the Republican party, or more certainly lead it to victory.  His selection would at once give courage to thousands, in every Southern State to at once openly, boldly enlist under the Republican banner.

     Begging pardon for this intrusion on your valuable time, I am Respectfully yrs,

                                /s/ J. W. Fairfax

Gen. Benjamin Harrison.                                                                                                                    Washington D.C.                                                                                                                                                  Dear sir:-

     Having had the pleasure of knowing General James Longstreet during the late Civil War, and served under his command, and having known him well as a Republican in Louisiana when it cost a Southern man his local reputation to be a pronounced Republican among the bourbon Democracy of that state, and having confidence in his honesty integrity, ability, and Republicanism I take great pleasure in respectfully requesting you to give him some positon under your administration where he can be of service to the party in assisting to bring about a change of sentiment, and policy on the part of the Southern people on the question of a free ballot, and fair count at elections.

     General Longstreet knows the disposition of the Southern people and if he is in a position to do so can be of great assistance to you in shaping and carrying out a satisfactory Southern policy.

     Wishing you, and your incoming administration of the affairs of this great country that success which your great ability warrants.

I am with great respect,                                                                                                                                     Your friend,                                                                                                                                                         /s/W. B. Merchant

Hon                                                                                                                                                                        James G Blaine                                                                                                                                            Secretary of State

Sir

I have the honor to offer my services as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Brazil.

I am somewhat conversant with that language, and hope that I may be useful to our government in forming closer relations of amity and more extended commercial relations.

With High Respect I am                                                                                                                                      Your Mt Obt Servant                                                                                                                                  /s/James Longstreet