Longstreet's 2nd wife

1,355 Views | 4 Replies | Last: 2 yr ago by BQ78
nortex97
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AG
Pretty incredible life/story.

https://www.historynet.com/longstreets-second-lady.htm

She lived until 1956 and helped build B-29's in WW2.

Quote:

On September 8, 1897, Longstreet and Dortchdescribed as "pretty, piquant and sympathetic," with blue eyes, blonde hair, and fair skinexchanged vows in the parlor at the governor's executive mansion.

Among those in attendance were the Gainesville mayor, a large group of Longstreet's friends, and the general's four sons and daughter. "They all warmly congratulated their new stepmother," an account noted, "which should dispose of the story that there was any friction because of the marriage."
Dortch picked the wedding date as homage to her husband, who, as an officer 50 years earlier, had heroically led his regiment at Molino Del Rey during the Mexican War.

Governor William Atkinson served as best man for Longstreet, who had converted from Episcopalian to Catholic in 1877. "When the officiating priest, after having asked the groom the question of assent, turned to Dortch to know if she would take James as her husband," a newspaper reported, "it carried the suggestion to the groom's heart that he was a boy again, paddling in the Savannah River."

Newspapers were quick to point out the disparity in ages between the former general and the accomplished young woman, characterizing it as a "May and December" union. A Louisiana paper noted that although Longstreet was "a gallant and distinguished Confederate officer during the warhis apostasy since has lost him the respect and esteem of the Southern people." Few Southerners forgave Longstreet for becoming a Republican and serving under Grant.

Another publication mentioned the general's varied interests, and believed that his new bride, "a bright young woman," could help manage them. In addition to a large hotel in Gainesville, Longstreet owned a vineyard and winery, raised sheep and turkeys, and had authored two books. And President William McKinley, himself a Civil War veteran, had recently called on Longstreet to serve as the U.S Commissioner of Railroads.

From her wedding in 1897 to Longstreet until well after his death at 82 in 1904, Helen would do much more than help "manage" her husband's interests. Fiercely protective of James Longstreet, she defended the General's reputation and memory the rest of her lifeespecially against critics who argued he failed to do his duty at Gettysburg. And the woman nicknamed "The Fighting Lady" led a remarkable life herself, living well into the 20th century.
Cen-Tex
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AG
good story. Learned something new today.
CanyonAg77
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AG
80-year-old Rosie the Riveter. Love it.
Rabid Cougar
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AG
Wait a minute. He he was a traitor. How could have worked for U.S. Grant? Typed very fractiously....
Whiskey Before Breakfast
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AG
Great story......thanks
BQ78
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AG
Quote:

Few Southerners forgave Longstreet for becoming a Republican and serving under Grant.
Probably more damaging to him was firing on former Confederate soldiers in the Battle of Liberty Place in 1874. Also he converted to Catholicism which was not looked on favorable in the south outside of Louisiana. He really became the scapegoat of the Confederacy for all of those perceived transgressions.
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