James Longstreet (January 8, 1821 – January 2, 1904) is one of the foremost Confederate generals of the American Civil War and the principal subordinate to General Robert E. Lee, who calls him his "Old War Horse."

He serves under Lee as a corps commander for many of the famous battles fought by the Army of Northern Virginia in the Eastern Theater, but also with Gen. Braxton Bragg in the Army of Tennessee in the Western Theater.

Longstreet's talents as a general make significant contributions to the Confederate victories at Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, and Chickamauga, in both offensive and defensive roles.

He also performs strongly during the Seven Days Battles, the Battle of Antietam, and until he is seriously wounded, at the Battle of the Wilderness.

His performance in semiautonomous command during the Knoxville Campaign results in a Confederate defeat.

His most controversial service is at the Battle of Gettysburg, where he disagrees with General Lee on the tactics to be employed and reluctantly supervisesthe disastrous infantry assault known as Pickett's Charge.

He enjoysa successful post-war career working for the U.S. Government as a diplomat, civil servant, and administrator.

However, his conversion to the Republican Party and his cooperation with his old friend, President Ulysses S. Grant, as well as critical comments he writes in his memoirs about General Lee's wartime performance, make him anathema to many of his former Confederate colleagues.

Authors of the Lost Cause movement focus on Longstreet's actions at Gettysburg as a primary reason for the Confederacy's loss of the war.

His reputation in the South was damaged for over a century and has only recently begun a slow reassessment.