Gen. James Longstreet, the ranking General of the Confederacy, died Saturday at his home in Gainesville, and his remains were laid to rest yesterday in that city with great civic and military honors. He was the most distinguished living General of the Civil War, and his death removes the last full-rank commander of that great conflict. Gen. Longstreet was a knightly gentleman, a courageous soldier and an able commander. His war record is a glorious one, and no aftermath of politics, however considered, can detract from the gallant and conspicuous part he played on the field of battle. He will always be reckoned in history as one of the South's bravest and most trusted defender, and thousands of old surviving Confederates will shed tears over his death, and recall the days when they followed his victorious leadership and shared with him the fortunes of cruel war. The Standard has an interest communication from an old veteran, who was in Longstreet's command, which will be published next week, giving the departed hero a deserved tribute from the heart of a devoted follower. (Cedartown Standard, January 7, 1904)

Editors Standard: The veterans of Gen. Longstreet 's command are pained beyond expression at the passing away of their old commander. Not one of them living or dead, who did not love or honor him while living, and not mourn his death. They knew him as one of the most polished and courteous officers in the southern army. They knew him as one of the south's most heroic defenders one of Gen. Lee's most capable and trusted officers. He is nevertheless true, that in many of the great battles of the civil war, notably Williamsburg, 2nd Manassa and Chickamauga, it was Longstreet who more perhaps than any other commander caused the defeat of the Federal army. Old soldiers will remember what a tremendous cheer went up from General Jackson's men at the 2nd Manassa when that famous General was sorely pressed by overwhelming numbers, on seeing Longstreet's men hurrying to their relief. They will remember, too that these two great commanders joining their forces together, made that terrific onslaught on, the Federals which was simply irresistible and resulted in a complete victory for the Confederates. The writer of this recently read a short history of the war written by a Federal officer. This historian declared that the Federals couldn't "drive Longstreet from a position he had taken." Under no circumstance would this "bull-dog fighter," as he was called in the army, vacate a position unless ordered to do so by his superior, Gen. Lee. Let those southerners who so severely criticized Gen. Longstreet, who, after the war, accepted an office tendered him by President Grant, hang their heads in shame when they think of him as one of the South's bravest soldiers, one who shed his blood on the battlefield in her defense. Let those northerners who with equal severity censured President Grant for appointing Gen. Longstreet remember that these two distinguished citizens and famous soldiers were in their younger days classmates and warm personal friends; and now that the war is over. The President forgetting the animosities of war voluntarily tendered his old-time friend a position which would help him in his impoverished condition. It is a matter of well authenticated history that Gen. Longstreet declined to accept the position offered him until he was advised to do so by such southerners as Gens. Hood and Beaureguard and Ex-President Davis. But we forbear, The great General is gone. He needs no eulogizing. His fame is imperishable. As long as virtue, truth and patriotism are honored he will be remembered. Those who followed him through a terrible war can never forget his noble bearing; his soldierly qualities; his devotion to duty, his love for his soldiers, his polished manner and his beautiful courtesy to all with whom he came in contact. (Cedartown Standard, January 14, 1904)

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