Last Farewell

Ladies and Gallant Men of Longstreet's Corps;

By now you probably know that I have stepped down as your Corps Commander and Maj. Gen'l. Terry Shelton is your new (unanimously elected) Corps Commander. I would ask that you give your full support to Terry as he takes on the monumental task of leading you into the future. Until you have been in a position such as this, you have no idea of the demands and pressures involved. Someone once said that it is lonely at the top and it truly is. While being in such a position and utilizing the input from the Staff on making decisions, the bottom line is that the Corps Commander alone makes that final decision and he is the one who has to live with it. I wholeheartedly endorse your selection for your new Corps Commander. I feel that with the changing of the hobby, Terry is the one to lead the Corps to the next level.

Twenty-five plus years ago I entered the ranks of the 18th Va., Co. G never aspiring to be anything more than a Confederate re-enactor. I guess we all thought Chuck would be here forever. As fate would have it, several of us decided to start the 28th Va., Co. C and join Longstreet's Corps. Along the way, I was elevated to command 2nd Battalion and then you saw fit to elect me as your Corps Commander when General Maupin stepped down.

The last five years have been challenging to say the least, particularly this past year. As I spoke to those in attendance at the Corps meeting this past weekend, you are probably wondering why I have decided to step down. This decision is not one that was made hastily nor easily. I have reached the point where I feel that there is no more that I can do for you. I no longer have the desire to fight the fight and I will not just go through the motions to be the commander of such a great organization as Longstreet's Corps - you deserve much better. The decision to leave all the hassles, politics and headaches was an easy one; to leave such fine people and friends was the difficult part.

Through it all there have been many ups and downs and many great friendships which have added up to a great many memories. Those are the things I will take with me and cherish til my dying days. As Augustas McCrae said on his death bed in "Lonesome Dove", I echo his sentiments; "By God Longstreet's Corps, it's been a helluva ride!

Maj. Gen'l. D. H. Cornett
Longstreet's Corps (retired)