It’s well known that, during the Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant and James Longstreet fought on opposite sides. What is less well known is that, in the early 1840’s, they were cadets together at West Point, where they became close friends.

As young officers, they served together in the Mexican War. They were such close friends that Longstreet was Best Man at Grant’s wedding and Grant was Best Man at Longstreet’s. The Civil War might have turned them into bitter foes, but the truth is the day after the Confederate surrender at Appomattox, they picked up their friendship right where they had left off.

Join James Longstreet, General CSA retired (portrayed by Grant Cottage tour guide and living historian Steve Trimm) as he reminisces about his old friend U.S. “Sam” Grant.