Longstreet was born in Edgefeild District in South Carolina on January eighth, eighteen twenty one. He graduated from West Point in eighteen forty two and went straight to service. There he served until eighteen sixty one. He first saw action in the Mexican War, he was wounded in Chapultepec Mexico. For his services he received two brevets and the staff rank of a Major. He resigned his commission on June first eighteen sixty one and joined the Confederacy. He became a General in the Civil War. His nickname was Old Pete meaning sturdy and trustworthy. He led most of the major battles in Virginia including Bullrun, Freddricsburg, and Chickmau