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Jay Bazzinotti:
Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederacy, spent two years confined to a Virginia prison with his hands shackled to the wall. He gained an unexpected group of supporters, including Pope Pius IX, who called for his release, along with some former enemies and abolitionists. After his release, Davis traveled to Canada, Cuba, and England before returning to the United States where he ran a thriving insurance business, hiring only ex-Confederate officers. He remained an unapologetic racist and staunch supporter of the Confederacy until his death.
Alexander Stephens, the Confederate vice president, was imprisoned on George’s Island in Boston until October 1865. Following his release after receiving amnesty from President Andrew Johnson, a pro-slavery, anti-Black politician, Stephens was elected to the Senate, though he was not allowed to serve. He was later elected to Congress and eventually became the governor of Georgia. An outspoken racist, Stephens wrote the “Cornerstone Speech” in which he argued that the Civil War was primarily about slavery and stated that Black people would never achieve equality with White people.
Robert E. Lee, the former General, was not imprisoned but joined the pro-Confederate Democrats, actively working to prevent Black Americans from gaining voting rights. He lost all of his wealth, property, and his own voting rights. In the South, he became a revered, almost Christ-like figure, often speaking out against any attempts to reignite the war, as many of his followers wanted. Lee was used as a symbol of reconciliation. Later, he became the highly successful president of Washington College, where he significantly expanded the institution.
James Longstreet, another former General and one of the war’s most skilled strategists, struggled to find success in business after the war. Though a friend of Ulysses S. Grant, who supported the Union cause, Longstreet was viewed as a traitor in the South. In 1874, a violent confrontation between white supremacists and former Confederate soldiers, known as the ‘Battle of Liberty Place,’ ended in a Confederate victory, but federal troops had to intervene to restore order. Longstreet was captured, mistreated, and later became a turkey farmer, naming his farm ‘Gettysburg.’ Tragically, a fire destroyed his property, including his uniforms and personal memorabilia. He lived in poor health for many years, dying in 1904, having outlived nearly all of his detractors, though still hated by many in the South.
J.E.B. Stuart, a cavalry general, was fatally wounded near the end of the war at the Battle of Yellow Tavern, struck by a bullet in the back.
George Pickett, the general remembered for leading Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg, fled the country to avoid prosecution for war crimes. He spent two years in Canada until he was granted a pardon. Pickett remained in poor health for the rest of his life and passed away in 1875, about a decade after the war. He never ceased to blame Robert E. Lee for the loss of his men at Gettysburg. Despite the fact that over 40,000 attended his funeral, his grave was kept secret, and a monument was built over an empty resting place.
John Bell Hood, a brilliant yet reckless general, arrived too late at Gettysburg, where he was immediately struck by an artillery shell. He was relieved by an incompetent officer, who squandered the South’s last chance to win the battle or at least force a draw. After the war, Hood was quickly cleared of any wrongdoing and enjoyed some success in business for a time. However, a financial crisis led to the collapse of his business, and just six days later, he contracted yellow fever and died.
Joe Johnston, a senior and controversial general, frequently criticized Confederate leadership, feeling as though enemies were everywhere around him. After surrendering to General Sherman, the two surprisingly became friends. Johnston transitioned to a modestly successful business career, focusing on railroads and insurance, and also served one term as a Democratic congressman. Unfortunately, he caught a cold at William Sherman's funeral and passed away shortly after.
P.G. T. Beauregard, a competent general who had often thwarted Grant’s plans, struggled to find significant success in business after the war. He was critical of Jefferson Davis and strongly believed that victory in the war had still been possible. Despite his firm anti-Black stance, Beauregard worked toward establishing civil rights for Black people, advising southern leaders to find a way to make it work for the greater good of the country.
Simon Buckner, the Confederacy’s third-ranking general, was a sharp businessman who ran a newspaper after the war. He rebuilt his fortune, regained his lost Kentucky property, and reasserted his place as a respected leader in his community. Buckner later entered politics and, in 1914, passed away as one of the last surviving generals of the Civil War.
Robert Ewell, who was wounded and captured near the end of the Civil War, spent a year in the Fort Warren POW camp located on George’s Island alongside 17 other Confederate generals. After being released, he became a staunch supporter of the Union and spent the remainder of his life as a simple farmer, passing away quietly in 1891.
Nathan Bedford Forrest, a former slave trader, faced significant financial troubles after the war, managing multiple failing businesses. Widely disliked for his actions, Forrest was a founding member of the Ku Klux Klan and held deeply anti-Black views. However, he underwent a dramatic change, becoming a strong advocate for civil rights and Black education, a move that led to a rift with the Klan and other anti-Black groups. He died from diabetes in 1877.
There are numerous Confederate generals, some well-known while many remain largely forgotten. After the war, many found support from friends and secured positions in the rapidly expanding railroad and insurance sectors.
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