Chronology

1821 January 8th- Born at parent's farm "Hopewell" near North Augusta, Edgefield District, South Carolina.

1833 Father died during Cholera epidemic in Augusta.

1838 Received appointment to the United States Military Academy (West Point) through the state of Alabama.

1839 Cavalry instruction first offered at West Point.

1842 Graduated from West Point and breveted Second Lieutenant. Assigned to 4th Infantry Division, Jefferson Barracks, MO.

1843 Sept- Friend U. S. Grant arrives at Jefferson Barracks.

1844 Courts regimental commander's daughter Maria Louisa (Louise) Garland. In May 4th Infantry moves to Camp Salubrity, Natchitoches, LA.

March 4, 1845 Promoted to 2nd Lt., reassigned to 8th Infantry Division. April 1st Joins 8th Infantry at Fort Marion, St. Augustine, FL.

March 9, 1846 8th Inf. moves out as observation force to Texas. May- War with Mexico commenced. June 10, assumes command of company 21st leads Co in advance of division, performs well under fire.

February 23, 1847 Promoted to 1st Lt. September 8th Breveted Major for performance at battle of Molino del Ray. 14th Wounded at battle of Chapultepec Dec. 10th leaves Mexico on convalescent leave.

1848 Married Maria Louisa Garland March 8th in Lynchburg, VA. Assigned to recruiting duty in Poughkeepsie, NY. Reassigned to Carlisle Barracks, PA. December 26, first son, John Garland born.

1849- May - Reassigned to 8th Infantry, San Antonio, TX.

1850 - Jan - Appointed Commissary officer for Dept of Texas. Oct - second son Augustus Baldwin born.

1852 Promoted to Captain of Infantry regular Army.

1853 April 19th - 3rd son William Dent Longstreet is born.

1854 July 19th - son William dies in Washington D.C. Returns to Texas and is assigned to 8th Infantry at Fort Bliss, Texas.

1856 Post Commander, Fort Bliss, TX.

1857 July - 3rd son James is born.

1858 Transferred to the Pay Department and promoted to major and served as paymaster at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

1859 October - Reassigned to New Mexico Terriorty.

1860 December 31st - Mary Anne Longstreet is born.

1861 May 9th - Resigned commission in U. S. Army, dated to be effective from June 1st by order of the U. S. War Department. Leaves for Richmond, VA to receive commission as Brigadier General assigned to General Beauregard's army dated June 29th. July 17th commanded defending troops in action at Blackburn's Ford, preceding battle of Bull Run.

October - Promoted to Major General, commanding 3rd Division.

1862 January - Children Augustus, James and Mary Anne die in scarlet fever epidemic in Richmond all within a week. Commands delaying action at Williamsburg during the Peninsular campaign that prompts army commander General Joseph E. Johnston to report that he was "a mere spectator, for General Longstreet's clear head and brave heart left me no apology for interference." Gives Lee complete victory at battle of Second Manassas with counterattack that breaks the Federal army and causes panicked retreat. Sept 17th- Commanded right wing of Lee's army at Sharpsburg, earning from Lee the nickname "My Old War Horse." Oct. 9th- Promoted to Lieutenant General with backdate of one day to make him second in command of the ANV. Commands First Corps, over half of Lee's army. Dec. 17th- Commanded action at Marye's Heights in Fredericksburg, prompting Lee to remark "It is well war is so terrible--we should grow too fond of it." No Federal troops come within 30 yards of Longstreet's line.

1863- Commands Department of Southeast Virginia and North Carolina on foraging mission for Lee's army. Success in this venture causes him to miss the Battle of Chancellorsville because of transportation delays. July 2-3- Commands half of Lee's line in Battle of Gettysburg, almost breaking the Federal position on July 2nd. Opposed assault on July 3rd, but placed in command of attack force consisting of a majority of Hill's troops. Sept- Sent to supplement Army of Tennessee and breaks Federal line causing an panicked retreat during the Battle of Chickamauga. Oct- Sent to capture or destroy Ambrose Burnside's army resulting in siege of Knoxville. Over winters in East Tennessee, causing extreme anxiety for Union commander General Ulysses S. Grant. Dec- Request transfer from Army of Tennessee and submits resignation, which is refused.

1864 April- Returns to Virginia with command, prompting Lee's Chief of Staff Col Walter Taylor to remark "I really am beside myself, General, with joy of having you back. It is like the reunion of a family."
May- Commands counterattack during the Battle of the Wilderness that turns momentum of battle to the Confederates at critical moment. While coordinating follow-up of success, he is critically wounded by a minie ball through the neck, severing his cervical nerve and permanently paralyzing his right arm. Oct 19th Officially returns to command of the First Corps, commanding troops north of the James River during siege of Petersburg.

1865- April 7th Asked by group of officers to present petition to Lee requesting surrender of the army, which he refuses. States "We are here to support General Lee, not tear him down." April 9th- Surrenders with Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox, after advising Lee "If he [Grant] does not offer good terms, come back and let us fight it out." Opens cotton brokerage with Owen brothers in New Orleans, LA.

1870- Appointed Adjutant General of State Militia of Louisiana.

1874- Sept 14th- Commands militia in riots in New Orleans.

1875- Purchases Parkhill Farm in Gainesville, GA and moves there permanently.

October- Purchases Piedmont Hotel, also in Gainesville and it is managed by son Garland.

1878 Appointed Deputy Collector Internal Revenue for Georgia.

1879 Appointed Postmaster of Gainesville, Georgia.

1880 May- appointed Minister to Turkey. Secures permission for archeological study in Turkey by American scientists previously denied by Sultan.

1881 May-Appointed U. S. Marshal for Georgia. Returns from Europe.

1889 Parkhill home burns under suspicious circumstances April 9th. Louise dies on December 29th.

1896 Published his memoirs Manassas to Appomattox.

1897 Married Helen Dortch, 34, at Governor's Mansion in Atlanta, Georgia.

1898 Appointed U. S. Commissioner of Railroads in January.

1901 Speaks at West Point Centennial celebration.

1904 Dies at daughter's home in Gainesville two days shy of his 83rd birthday on January 2nd. Lies in state in Hall County Courthouse and is buried January 6th at Alta Vista Cemetery, Gainesville, GA.