General Longstreet's Last Train Home

If you aren't aware that I have a new book out about Confederate General James Longstreet, it isn't because I am bashful about telling you so, but let me read you a couple of paragraphs. We're talking about Longstreet: "He and Helen carne home to Gainesville at the end of 1903, getting home in time to celebrate the Christmas season at their home on Green Street. Gainesville was beautiful at Christmas, with its glittering lights and sparkling decorations." ... From their porch they could "...see the coming and going along Green Street. Christmas carols often broke out aboard the unique street car that ran along Green Street in front of their home, the same trolley that traveled through the downtown square and on down Main Street to (his) Piedmont Hotel. As with most resort towns, Gainesville was fully decorated for the holidays, and Green Street was its showcase." For General Longstreet, who was often controversial, it was a fitting last train home to this beautiful and peaceful North Georgia town. To continue reading: "The end was quick and merciful. Longstreet had gone to his daughter's home about noontime just after New Years Day, and had a severe coughing spell. It is speculated that the coughing broke loose scar tissue from the old wound in his throat. He was unconscious most of the afternoon, and then, at dusk, stirred and said: `Helen, we shall be happier in this post.' He died January 2, 1904."

The book is JAMES LONGSTREET: Before Manassas and After Appomattox. It is available at the History Center, the Hall County Library, the Longstreet Society and a number of stores in the Gainesville area. I hope you enjoy this book about a major player in Gainesville's history half as much as I enjoyed writing it.

This is Gordon Sawyer, from a window on historic Green Street.