The room is packed.  The gathered crowd of guests and Civil War enthusiasts await in excited anticipation. They have no idea who is to appear at this assemblage.  They only know it to be someone of significant influence.  The drums begin to roll.

An individual enters the room in full Confederate gray bearing the officer’s rank of a major.  The crowd begins to murmur.  One finally recognizes the Confederate as Major Moxley Sorrell, the devoted staff officer to one of the most controversial figures in American history.

Suddenly a hush consumes the room as a figure appears at the door.  The historically astute immediately recognize him and stand in awe and disbelief.  The figure’s features are absolutely unmistakable.  Major Sorrell approaches the podium and with a commanding voice announces, "Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce Lieutenant General James Longstreet, Commander of the 1st Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia."  The crowd erupts in overwhelming applause and cheers as the general enters in full military attire.

This scenario could become a reality at any Civil War event any time.  It is not a veterans’ reunion of 100 years ago but a portrayal of this famous personality by Powhatan resident Andrew J. Gilbert, who so resembles the famous Confederate general that often he is stared at in utter disbelief.

Known to his close friends as A. J., Gilbert became fascinated with General Longstreet when he noticed a friend, Jeff Talley, also of Powhatan, wearing a Longstreet memorial T-shirt.  A. J. presented a striking if not almost perfect resemblance to Longstreet.

Talley started encouraging him to portray Longstreet at Civil War re-enactment’s.  Being a Longstreet advocate himself, Talley recognized at once that A. J. not only possessed a striking resemblance to the general, but his mannerisms were very similar.  With the prodding of Talley, Gilbert began the development of packaging himself as General James Longstreet.

A. J., a great-grandson of Confederate John Westmoreland of the 59th Virginia Infantry, already was well-schooled on the war’s history through his pursuit of his family genealogy.  The Civil War information he had to learn in detail was where Longstreet existed, physically and mentally, during the war’s theater of operation -- no small task.  The research and endless sources of documentation have consumed an immense amount of his time.

Historical Impressions, a Hopewell company led by James R. Furqueron, will be coordinating Gilbert’s presentations.  "Ron Furqueron has been a tremendous help in schooling me to become Longstreet in the first person," Gilbert says.  "The authenticity is partially the result of Ron’s pursuit of strict accuracy."

Mentally becoming Longstreet has had its difficulties.  "Depicting such a controversial figure makes me determined to see his [Longstreet’s] name cleared and given the credit and honor he deserves," Gilbert reveals.  "He was, after all, the Commander of the First Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia, second only to General Robert E. Lee, and I am determined to lessen the controversy that he has received since the war."

"Under command conditions, he was Lee’s right-hand man and Lee’s next in command.  Lee always kept close to him seeking his advice and maintained a close relationship the whole time they were together.  Longstreet always told Lee his honest opinion.  He didn’t always tell Lee what he necessarily wanted to hear, but simply told him the truth."

Gilbert’s admiration of Longstreet exceeds anything he ever expected.  "He has become a mentor, friend, and an inspiration," he says.  "To continue to carry on in adverse situations is one of his traits that greatly overwhelms me.  Can you imagine what he went through with the death of his young children early in the war?  He had a perseverance that can only be admired.  His commitment to duty is unparalleled.  His duty was his guide and code.

"Another thing people don’t give him enough credit for is his deep respect for the men who fought for the southern cause.  Having been wounded himself during the Mexican War gave Longstreet a deep admiration of the common soldier and his plight.  He didn’t neglect his men."

Gilbert readily admits he gets frustrated at times over Longstreet’s controversial image.  "The man has been railroaded repeatedly," he states.  "Take for instance the constant comparison between Jackson and Longstreet.  They were both great generals and complemented each other well in spite of having different tactics.  They worked well together as a team and individually.  Sharpsburg is a great example of this and they both performed admirably."

When asked about the controversy surrounding Longstreet at Gettysburg, he becomes the general and quotes Longstreet directly: "I do not fear the verdict of Gettysburg.  Time sets all things right.  Error lives but a day.  Truth is eternal."  One comes to realize that Gilbert knows his subject well.

In spite of Gilbert’s vast knowledge of Longstreet, he constantly strives to learn more.  "I never thought I would go down a road such as this, especially committed to correct such a controversial figure," he says.  "For me, he has become a very close friend and hopefully I can contribute to placing him in a more truthful historical light.  History is something people should work at maintaining and not forget all peoples’ histories, regardless of their backgrounds."

A. J. Gilbert is a man on a mission very committed to correcting a historical error.  At times he tries to rationalize the reasons for the whirlwind of controversy that continues to surround Longstreet.

He concludes, "Longstreet was very loyal to his friends, loyal almost to a flaw, and this loyalty often caused his undoing.  His friendship with General Grant is a classic example.  His refusal to abandon a friend, unless duty dictated otherwise, was at times to his own detriment.

"Longstreet worked long and hard to bring the country back together and was persecuted for it in spite of being correct in his desire.  This persecution becomes even more amazing in the fact that Longstreet was following the exact path that Robert E. Lee recommended, and yet Lee became admired by all."