appear so well. Without doubt the greatest man of re-

bellion times, the one matchless among forty millions for the peculiar difficulties of the period, was Abraham Lincoln." ^^

But who could leave Longstreet so ? It is incontestable that, with all these marked and disastrous defects, the man was immensely lovable and had not only force, but charm. Under the stolid exterior there were kindly emo- tions as well as sharper ones. Socially he is said to have been quiet and undemonstrative, yet at times he showed a tenderness and affection which were all the more appre- ciated.

There can be no doubt that his patriotism and devo- tion to the cause he served were strong and genuine.

• ' While we weep with the friends of our gallant dead,

we must confess that a soldier's grave, in soholy and just a cause, is the highest honor that a man can attain." ^^ For myself," he says, after Vicksburg and Gettysburg, '* I felt that our last hope was gone, and that it was only a question of time with us." ^o Yet he fought on as steadily, as bravely, as persistently as ever, and declared, in Janu- ary, 1865, ** We are better able to cope with the enemy now than we have ever been, if we will profit by our experience and exert ourselves properly in improving our organization." ^^

He was as thoughtful in his sympathy for noncombat- ants as he was hardy in fighting. Thus after Fredericks- burg he directs a subscription to be taken up for the

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