Comments on: Who is your favorite Union general of the American Civil War? http://www.historynet.com/who-is-your-favorite-union-general-of-the-american-civil-war.htm From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Sun, 19 May 2013 22:40:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Beau Considind http://www.historynet.com/who-is-your-favorite-union-general-of-the-american-civil-war.htm#comment-819649 Beau Considind Wed, 03 Oct 2012 00:17:27 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/who-is-your-favorite-union-general-of-the-american-civil-war.htm#comment-819649 D Chamberlain would get my vote. As a citizen soldier that plotted to get into the service, not out, he earns higher marks than the career soldiers. He had a knack for being at the crux of the action from Gettysburg, through the final surrender where his unit accepted the the arms of the defeated rebels. Wounded twice, his courage was unequalled. When you read his memoir the genuine concern he had for his men comes shining through. When the war was over he returned to his community where he continued his life of public service. D Chamberlain would get my vote. As a citizen soldier that plotted to get into the service, not out, he earns higher marks than the career soldiers. He had a knack for being at the crux of the action from Gettysburg, through the final surrender where his unit accepted the the arms of the defeated rebels. Wounded twice, his courage was unequalled. When you read his memoir the genuine concern he had for his men comes shining through. When the war was over he returned to his community where he continued his life of public service.

]]> By: Al From Maine http://www.historynet.com/who-is-your-favorite-union-general-of-the-american-civil-war.htm#comment-806324 Al From Maine Fri, 01 Jun 2012 15:01:24 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/who-is-your-favorite-union-general-of-the-american-civil-war.htm#comment-806324 General Joshua Chamberlain was magnificent and U. S. Grant was one tough and stubborn SOB General Joshua Chamberlain was magnificent and U. S. Grant was one tough and stubborn SOB

]]> By: Dave Marshall http://www.historynet.com/who-is-your-favorite-union-general-of-the-american-civil-war.htm#comment-786631 Dave Marshall Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:51:32 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/who-is-your-favorite-union-general-of-the-american-civil-war.htm#comment-786631 G.A. Custer G.A. Custer

]]> By: Anthony Trahan http://www.historynet.com/who-is-your-favorite-union-general-of-the-american-civil-war.htm#comment-557367 Anthony Trahan Wed, 11 May 2011 17:44:29 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/who-is-your-favorite-union-general-of-the-american-civil-war.htm#comment-557367 General George Meade, he was the first to actually stop Lee. General George Meade, he was the first to actually stop Lee.

]]> By: Elijah http://www.historynet.com/who-is-your-favorite-union-general-of-the-american-civil-war.htm#comment-503781 Elijah Thu, 24 Mar 2011 18:31:04 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/who-is-your-favorite-union-general-of-the-american-civil-war.htm#comment-503781 General Winfield Scott Hancock. General Winfield Scott Hancock.

]]> By: rdmadison http://www.historynet.com/who-is-your-favorite-union-general-of-the-american-civil-war.htm#comment-352841 rdmadison Thu, 21 Oct 2010 05:13:06 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/who-is-your-favorite-union-general-of-the-american-civil-war.htm#comment-352841 There are no "ifs" in history, so speculation about who might have done what is idle. Sheridan and Grant both developed a fairly modern ethic towards warfare that elevated mission accomplishment over concerns like loss of life. And Grant, at least, recognized the horror of that particular ethic (witness Cold Harbor). That made them more or less "ruthless" ("without pity"), which in turn lent tremendous power on the battlefield. In a situation in which saving life was at least as important as repulsing an enemy or maintaining position (as was probably the situation for the South by 1864), generals could not expend men quite so freely. But a "favorite" general (of either side)? That's like asking for a favorite virus or a favorite cancer. My favorite? Benjamin Butler: he saved the Brady photographs that still show us the horror of the war. There are no "ifs" in history, so speculation about who might have done what is idle.

Sheridan and Grant both developed a fairly modern ethic towards warfare that elevated mission accomplishment over concerns like loss of life. And Grant, at least, recognized the horror of that particular ethic (witness Cold Harbor). That made them more or less "ruthless" ("without pity"), which in turn lent tremendous power on the battlefield. In a situation in which saving life was at least as important as repulsing an enemy or maintaining position (as was probably the situation for the South by 1864), generals could not expend men quite so freely. But a "favorite" general (of either side)? That's like asking for a favorite virus or a favorite cancer. My favorite? Benjamin Butler: he saved the Brady photographs that still show us the horror of the war.

]]> By: John R. http://www.historynet.com/who-is-your-favorite-union-general-of-the-american-civil-war.htm#comment-314052 John R. Sat, 31 Jul 2010 04:50:38 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/who-is-your-favorite-union-general-of-the-american-civil-war.htm#comment-314052 General John Buford. The outcome at Gettysburg might have been different if Genl. Buford had not deployed his cavalrymen to control the approaches to Gettysburg as he did in the face of the advancing Rebs. Genl. Buford dismounted his troopers for more accurate fire, remounted them to change position when necessary and later forced advancing troops to halt with the threat of a massed cavalry charge. It is most unfortunate that he died much too soon - he could have accomplished more. General John Buford. The outcome at Gettysburg might have been different if Genl. Buford had not deployed his cavalrymen to control the approaches to Gettysburg as he did in the face of the advancing Rebs. Genl. Buford dismounted his troopers for more accurate fire, remounted them to change position when necessary and later forced advancing troops to halt with the threat of a massed cavalry charge. It is most unfortunate that he died much too soon – he could have accomplished more.

]]> By: Iowa Gray http://www.historynet.com/who-is-your-favorite-union-general-of-the-american-civil-war.htm#comment-311822 Iowa Gray Sat, 24 Jul 2010 09:44:01 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/who-is-your-favorite-union-general-of-the-american-civil-war.htm#comment-311822 Nathaniel Lyon He saved Missouri from being taken out of the union by a traitorous governor. Had he survived the battle of Wilsons Creek and been sent east, the war would have been very different, possibly shorter, but still very bloody. Nathaniel Lyon He saved Missouri from being taken out of the union by a traitorous governor. Had he survived the battle of Wilsons Creek and been sent east, the war would have been very different, possibly shorter, but still very bloody.

]]> By: Martin Bradley http://www.historynet.com/who-is-your-favorite-union-general-of-the-american-civil-war.htm#comment-299114 Martin Bradley Wed, 23 Jun 2010 21:00:39 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/who-is-your-favorite-union-general-of-the-american-civil-war.htm#comment-299114 Robert E Lee will always remain a Hero to any Civil War Student or Historian both in The USA and here in England. He will always be remembered and admired both as a Soldier and as a man. However..I do not recall him kicking too many butts after Gettysburg and certainly not after he was confronted by Grant who in my opinion along with Lincoln played the most crucial part in saving The Union. It is not too hard to imagine the world without a "United States" IE No involvement in two world wars which could have been the case had The States been divided into separate countries. For this reason, though there are many others, Grant gets the vote of an impartial Limey. Robert E Lee will always remain a Hero to any Civil War Student or Historian both in The USA and here in England. He will always be remembered and admired both as a Soldier and as a man. However..I do not recall him kicking too many butts after Gettysburg and certainly not after he was confronted by Grant who in my opinion along with Lincoln played the most crucial part in saving The Union. It is not too hard to imagine the world without a "United States" IE No involvement in two world wars which could have been the case had The States been divided into separate countries. For this reason, though there are many others, Grant gets the vote of an impartial Limey.

]]> By: Ed Hamilton http://www.historynet.com/who-is-your-favorite-union-general-of-the-american-civil-war.htm#comment-298674 Ed Hamilton Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:52:00 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/who-is-your-favorite-union-general-of-the-american-civil-war.htm#comment-298674 Bill, I am afraid that you are mistaken about Grant and Cairo. Cairo was put under military control 21-22 April, 1861 by militia under the command of General R. K. Swift, following orders of (Illinois) governor Yates shortly after LIncoln's call for troops. Grant did not arrive in Cairo until 4 September. I think you are confusing Cairo with the battle of Belmont in November. Bill, I am afraid that you are mistaken about Grant and Cairo. Cairo was put under military control 21-22 April, 1861 by militia under the command of General R. K. Swift, following orders of (Illinois) governor Yates shortly after LIncoln's call for troops. Grant did not arrive in Cairo until 4 September.

I think you are confusing Cairo with the battle of Belmont in November.

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