December 19, 1861 (Wednesday): Longstreet Advises on Personnel

General D. R. Jones

                                                            CENTREVILLE, VA, December 19, 1861.

Hon. W. P. MILES:

   MY DEAR SIR:  As we are all greatly interested in the reorganization of the army now here, I do not hesitate to give you my views on the subject.  The reorganization should be here and before the troops can get a leave of absence.  Then they should be allowed a leave of absence of 30 days---one-third at a time.  The bounty should be paid as they start off on leave.  It would be better to reorganize the companies and regiments as they are now; that is, skeleton regiments and companies.  When the companies go home I think it will be easy for them to fill up the ranks.  The reorganization in companies and regiments as they now are I suppose would be best, as each company represents some particular section and each regiment some particular district.

   The success of this effort will depend in a great measure, I think, upon the way in which it is started.  But one of the brigades of my division belongs permanently to my command—D. R. Jones’ brigade, now commanded by Colonel Jenkins.  I propose to start the thing with this brigade, and think that I may be able to get nearly every man of it if it can be done as I propose, viz, make Jenkins a brigadier, and let the troops understand that it is to be his brigade, and that they are to be allowed the privileges heretofore suggested.  If we are as successful with this brigade as I hope we may be, I believe that every other regiment in the army will follow handsomely.  Besides being much liked by his men, Colonel Jenkins is one of the finest officers of this army.  I think him as well worthy and deserving of the position of brigadier as any officer of my acquaintance.

   You must not suppose that I mean to intimate that Jones is wanting in character or ability as an officer.  He is a very dear friend of mine, and wanting in nothing as gentleman or a soldier; but he has gone to Richmond to seek an exchange of brigades.  This is known in his old command and he could not now satisfy the command so completely as could Jenkins.  If he is still in Richmond I would like you to consult him on this subject and show him this letter, if you deem it at all advisable.  I am satisfied that he will unite with me in my recommendation of Jenkins.

   With high respect and esteem, I am very sincerely, yours,

                                                                                    JAMES LONGSTREET,

                                                                                        Major-General, C. S. Army.

                                                            [Indorsement]

   If the plan of reorganization proposed above can be carried into effect it certainly meets with my unqualified approval, as well as the promotion of Colonel Jenkins, who has already been warmly recommended by me as a brigadier-general.

   Yours, truly,

                                                                                    G. T. BEAUREGARD

                                                                                                General, C. S. Army.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 5, Page 1001

Longstreet would show no great ability as a strategist, but he was a Napoleon of intrigues.  Here he writes to William Porcher Miles, Chairman of the House Military Affairs Committee of the Confederate Congress, advancing the prospect of the popular Micah Jenkins..  Miles had served as an aide to Beauregard, which makes it more ironic Jenkins was not promoted.  He would not be given a Brigadier’s rank until the next year.  Jones was made a division commander ranking as Major-General (confirmed in November of 1862) but would develop heart trouble and died in January of 1863 at the age of 38.