Comments on: My Favorite Civil War General

By: Gabe Hanafin

Gabe Hanafin — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 20:51:14 +0000

My Favorites are John F. Reynolds, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, Winfield Scott Hancock, or J.E.B. Stuart

By: Dave Marshall

Dave Marshall — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:58:31 +0000

G.A Custer

By: Bluto Smatz

Bluto Smatz — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:35:38 +0000

Robert E. Lee

By: Drew

Drew — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 13:29:11 +0000

My favorite general used to be Longstreet, however after reading about James H. WIlson, I think Wilson perhaps was one of the best generals ever. He completely destroyed and bested Forrest, and captured Jefferson Davis. Wilson is probably my favorite general. Wilson may have had superior weapons to Forrest, however he still nevertheless beat Forrest. Prior to Wilson becoming a general, the Union army had inferior and bad cavarly corps compared to the Confederates. It was Wilson, not Sheridan who made the Union cavalry a great cavalry force that ultimately beat the Confederate cavalry.

By: Army Vet

Army Vet — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 23:21:57 +0000

I agree that Lee was a man of solid character and virtue, especially in peace time ventures. Could never quite understand what happened to him, after Gettysburg. So many condemed Grant as a butcher, but he was committed to ending the war and the killing as soon as possible. Lee was highly intelligent but did not, could not, or would not see that he had lost. He fought on, killing many thousands, only for the purpose of continuing the war and hoping that Lincoln would lose office; and with an impossible dream that the North would give up and offer a generous settlement to the South. It was only that he was absolutely defeated and about to lose his entire army that gave up. His greatest gift was being able to surrender to U.S. Grant. Bottom line: Grant fought the last year to end the war as quickly as possible. Lee, facilitated by Davis, fought on to drag out the war as long as possible.

By: Drew Brady

Drew Brady — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 14:57:44 +0000

I think Thomas was one of the finest generals the North had if not in the entire war. Contrary to what most people believe of him being a slow, overly cautious commander, I think he knew exactly what to do in every battle he commanded, especially at Nashville, and perfectly executed his attack on Hood's army. He was both a great defense minded and offensive minded commander, and is a perfect example of what an ideal commander is. He waited till the right moment to strike his enemies, and did it with perfect execution and skill. He hit his enemies with devestating blows in battle too. Grant should have never attempted to show his distrust in Thomas by trying to send Logan to relieve him (Logan is actually from my homestate of Illinois by the way, but Thomas was a better commander anyway). I think the reason why he was rediculed so much by both sides, was the fact that the South felt like he betrayed them by favoring the North (afterall he was from Virginia) and the fact that the North (which my family was on) did not trust him. I wish the North did trust him. He was the perfect man for the job and I wish more officers nowadays studied his tactics.

By: Drew

Drew — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 14:46:29 +0000

James H. Wilson would have to be my favorite. He was very agressive, tough and got stuff done. He was the only general who bested Forrest. Forrest and Stuart were great cavalry commanders as well. What's a shame is that most people have never heard of Wilson.

By: Drew

Drew — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 14:42:47 +0000

Longstreet (aka Old Pete) had to be one of the finest and best corps commanders the South had (along with Jackson). I think in some ways he was better than Jackson, however, I think Lee failed to fully utilize Longstreet's skills and talents, especially at Gettysburg. I think Longstreet was right and they should have held a defensive position, instead of wasting all their men at Pickett's Charge.

By: Cameron

Cameron — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 19:09:05 +0000

My favorite general has to be Joshua L. Chamberlain, for the fact that he led one of the most precise battles, and he had everything a general should value.

By: John

John — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 21:00:15 +0000

Nathan Forrest. He defeated much larger forces than his own in Tennessee and Mississippi and he was a fighting officer, leading his troops into battle at the front.