Forrest/Longstreet Feud
Chapter 97: Forrest/Longstreet Feud
Every Confederate citizen is aware that the famed feud that stereotype the CSA as a nation was centered around two strong willed individuals who came from different backgrounds. Forrest grew up poor and lost his father at age 16. At the age of 25 Forrest avenged the murder of his uncle killing two men in a duel in rural Mississippi. During his life Forrest was a businessman, planter, and slaveholder. By the beginning of the Civil War Forrest was considered one of the wealthiest men of the south owning multiple plantations in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas.
Longstreet was born in rural South Carolina on his father’s plantation. Set on a military career early on in his life Longstreet was sent to live with his uncle once his father died early in his life. Longstreet would enter West Point and later serve in the Mexican War under Zachary Taylor.
Forrest would blame Longstreet for his loss in 1873 and swore revenge. It was by no mistake that on January 17, 1874 Forrest met up with Longstreet while in New Orleans and demanded an apology from Longstreet for his slander of his good name. When Longstreet refused Forrest pulled a pistol and challenged him to a duel. Longstreet who refused to lower his standards to Forrest’s level declined. When Forrest called him a coward Longstreet stood firm and stated that “an officer and a gentleman does not handle quarrels in this matter and as such you are neither a gentleman nor an officer .” Within minutes a fire fight would break out wounding Longstreet in the neck while members of Longstreet staff came to their General rescue. Longstreet’ s Chief of Staff Brigadier General Moxley Sorrel was able to would Forrest in the leg causing both sides to disengage.
For Forrest the New Orleans Shoot Out as the Newspaper called it painted Forrest as the aggressor and soon warrants were issued for his arrest, but fortunately for Forrest he took a steamer back to Central America to join forces with his old acquaintance William Quantrill and the KGC.
As for Longstreet he would recover and be instrumental in the coming Haitian Conflict brewing.
Every Confederate citizen is aware that the famed feud that stereotype the CSA as a nation was centered around two strong willed individuals who came from different backgrounds. Forrest grew up poor and lost his father at age 16. At the age of 25 Forrest avenged the murder of his uncle killing two men in a duel in rural Mississippi. During his life Forrest was a businessman, planter, and slaveholder. By the beginning of the Civil War Forrest was considered one of the wealthiest men of the south owning multiple plantations in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas.
Longstreet was born in rural South Carolina on his father’s plantation. Set on a military career early on in his life Longstreet was sent to live with his uncle once his father died early in his life. Longstreet would enter West Point and later serve in the Mexican War under Zachary Taylor.
Forrest would blame Longstreet for his loss in 1873 and swore revenge. It was by no mistake that on January 17, 1874 Forrest met up with Longstreet while in New Orleans and demanded an apology from Longstreet for his slander of his good name. When Longstreet refused Forrest pulled a pistol and challenged him to a duel. Longstreet who refused to lower his standards to Forrest’s level declined. When Forrest called him a coward Longstreet stood firm and stated that “an officer and a gentleman does not handle quarrels in this matter and as such you are neither a gentleman nor an officer .” Within minutes a fire fight would break out wounding Longstreet in the neck while members of Longstreet staff came to their General rescue. Longstreet’ s Chief of Staff Brigadier General Moxley Sorrel was able to would Forrest in the leg causing both sides to disengage.
For Forrest the New Orleans Shoot Out as the Newspaper called it painted Forrest as the aggressor and soon warrants were issued for his arrest, but fortunately for Forrest he took a steamer back to Central America to join forces with his old acquaintance William Quantrill and the KGC.
As for Longstreet he would recover and be instrumental in the coming Haitian Conflict brewing.