Monday, January 6, 2014

Sunday's ceremony will recall 'Old War Horse'

The worn gray jacket of an unknown Confederate went to the grave with  Lt. Gen. James Longstreet, who died Jan. 2, 1904, in Gainesville, Ga.

This Sunday, Jan. 12, at 1 p.m., members of the Longstreet Society and Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp #1860 Blue Ridge Rifles will honor Longstreet at an annual memorial service at Alta Vista Cemetery.

The society defends and promotes the legacy of one of Lee's Lieutenants. Members believe he was the scapegoat for what went wrong at Gettysburg and the loss of the war by the Confederacy.

Longstreet, who for many years operated the Piedmont Hotel in the North Georgia city, was buried on Jan. 6, 1904. An honor guard, with horses, took his remains to the cemetery after two days of lying in state in the Hall County courthouse.

Sunday's ceremony will be highlighted by a rifle salute, wreath presentation and prayer, according to the Longstreet Society. The group says interest in the program, in its 16th year, has been growing.

Vanishing Georgia, Georgia Archives, University System of Georgia 

The group will hold an open house afterward at the hotel, 827 Maple St., in Gainesville. The Longstreet Society is headquartered in the building. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served. Tours of the hotel will be available.  

Call 770-539-9005 for more information.

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