Booknotes: James Longstreet and the American Civil War

New Arrival:
• James Longstreet and the American Civil War: The Confederate General Who Fought the Next War by Harold M. Knudsen (Savas Beatie).

I am no Krick the Elder when it comes to James Longstreet. In my mind, he was an essential component of arguably the Civil War's highest-grossing band [frontman Lee, Jackson on lead guitar, Longstreet on bass, and Stuart on drums]. What I've never found particularly persuasive are the arguments put forth from time to time that Longstreet, through foresight and experienced reflection, developed strategic and tactical thinking so far ahead of most of his contemporaries that he could be considered exceptionally "modern" in his outlook.

Attempting to make that very case are two 2022 titles released within weeks of each other: F. Gregory Toretta's Lieutenant General James Longstreet: Innovative Military Strategist - The Most Misunderstood Civil War General and Harold Knudsen's James Longstreet and the American Civil War: The Confederate General Who Fought the Next War. If Knudsen's effort sounds familiar, you would be right. This new book is a "significantly expanded and completely revised" version of (if Google Books serves me correctly) a 2007 volume published under the title General James Longstreet: The Confederacy's Most Modern General.

According to Knudsen, Longstreet "made overlooked but profound modern contributions to the art of war." These were "significant and executed on a large scale," and the book "explains what Longstreet did and how he did it."

From the description: "Longstreet understood early that the tactical defense was generally dominant over the offense, which was something few grasped in 1862. Longstreet’s thinking demonstrated a clear evolution that began on the field at First Manassas in July 1861, developed through the bloody fighting of 1862, and culminated in the brilliant defensive victory at Fredericksburg that December. The lethality with which his riflemen and artillery mowed down repeated Union assaults hinted at what was to come in World War I. Longstreet’s ability to launch and control powerful offensives was on display at Second Manassas in August 1862. His assault plan at Chickamauga in Georgia the following September was similar, if not the forerunner to, World War II tactical-level German armored tactics. Other areas show progressive applications with artillery, staff work, force projection, and operational-level thinking." In developing this analysis, the author "draws heavily upon 20th century U.S. Army doctrine, field training, staff planning, command, and combat experience" and concludes that Longstreet was "a modern thinker unparalleled in the Confederate Army."

I don't have a copy of Toretta's book to make any superficial comparisons beyond what's suggested in the table of contents. Knudsen addresses Longstreet's entire Civil War career, but examines most closely his role as subordinate corps commander from Second Manassas through Chattanooga. Toretta's book begins at Chancellorsville (where Longstreet wasn't present but perhaps tactically influential in regards to entrenched lines) and ends with the Wilderness, where the general was badly wounded. Perhaps someone will publish a dual review in coming months.