Sold – James Longstreet Pulls Every String to Get His Son an Army Promotion

Longstreet was the senior lieutenant-general in the Confederate Army and was given command of the 1st Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia, making him the premier subordinate of the premier army of the Confederacy. His son, James Longstreet, Jr. (1865-1922) also pursued a career in the military. He was a 2nd lieutenant of artillery during the Spanish-American War, and was mustered out of the volunteer service in October of 1898.

Over the next few years he served as a 1st lieutenant and then captain in the regular army. However, he was caught up in the Army Reorganization Act of February 1901. Significant problems had arisen in the army during the Spanish-American War, and a postwar presidential commission recommended a rationalization of War Department operations. The law that resulted eliminated some officer’s positions, limited the number of officers units could have, and particularly shook up the artillery.

The careers of men like the junior Longstreet were affected. He received a new appointment as a 1st lieutenant in the 13th United States Cavalry on February 2, 1901, when that unit was formed. This seemed like a demotion, as he had for a while been captain, so his famous father tried earnestly to regain for him that higher rank.

Autograph Letter Signed, 4 pages 8vo, in pencil, March 18, 1901, to Elihu Root, Secretary of War. “I beg leave to ask, for my son, James Longstreet Jr., now of the 29th Regiment of U.S. Volunteer infantry, appointment under the reorganisation of the Regular Army. He has been on field service since the first call for volunteers for the Spanish War, May, 1898…The President then appointed him Lieutenant of a regiment of Infantry organised for service and ordered the regiment to Santiago where he served to the expiration of its time, was ordered home and mustered out of service. When the volunteer regiments were organised for the Philippine service he was again appointed First Lieutenant and assigned to the 29th Regiment and sailed in 1899 with his regiment, and has been constantly on service…Recently he was promoted captain of Company K of his regiment…In all of which with his military duties he has made excellent record. His constant service for three years in camp and actual hostilities against Spaniards has gained him opportunity to acquire all experience necessary to fit him for all duties as captain and higher positions…Natural taste and talent for the profession, advantages of field experience, with fine intuition of the soldier’s life and experience, fit him well for high confidence of his superior officers. He prefers service in the line, but if he is ineligible under the law to the rank of captain wishes appointment as captain Quarter Master or Paymaster.”

The next day Sec. Root responded that he would “take pleasure in giving your wishes in the matter…every consideration.” This was Root’s way of politely saying no. So in April, Longstreet tried again, this time writing to the President himself.

Typed Letter Signed on his Dept. of the Interior, Office of Commissioner of Railroads letterhead, 2 separate pages 4to, Washington, April 27, 1901, to Pres. William McKinley, whom he calls “the most beloved Executive that the country has known.” “I beg leave to respectfully and earnestly ask the appointment for my son James, just designated for examination for line service, as captain in one of the staff corps. He has been in continuous service about three years; first at Chickamauga camps in 1898, during that summer; second in volunteer regiment under Colonel Crane at Santiago de Cuba as Regiment Adjutant; third in the 29th regiment of U.S. Volunteers in the Philippines, just returned…His endorsements by commanding officers are of the highest order. But under the Army Bill recently passed by Congress, he is ineligible for higher appointment than First Lieutenant…I believe his services merit this recognition and I hope that it may be the pleasure of the most beloved Executive that the country has known to extend it. Captains of staff corps have been designated for examination for appointment to original vacancies, but some of them may fail in the physical examination, leaving the vacancy in its original condition to be filled as was intended by the former designation; and again some who have been designated may resign or die before their final alignment for commission, thus leaving the original vacancy it its former state. Just now an original vacancy has been made by the promotion of the senior Captain, J.B. Aleshire, Q.M.D., and this may, I hope, prove providential for my son.”

We do not know McKinley’s reply, but do have another letter from Root, this one dated October 28, 1901, saying all of the staff appointments under the Act have been made, and turning Longstreet down flat. On December 26, the new president, Theodore Roosevelt, officially appointed young Longstreet a 1st Lieutenant. A sad state of affairs for one of America’s greatest generals, unable to get his deserving son a promotion to captain. This is apparently Longstreet’s own file on this interesting and illuminating matter, as both of his letters appear to be retained copies, while the letters from Root are the recipient’s originals.

Although his father did not live to see it, Longstreet, Jr. served in World War I and eventually attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He died on July 15, 1922 while participating in a review of the 13th United States Cavalry, and is buried at Arlington Cemetery, on the grounds formerly owned by his father’s friend, Robert E. Lee.