Among Union generals, one who stands out is General Thomas, commander of the Army of the Cumberland. His accomplishments don’t include a daring tactical victory like Chancellorsville…nonetheless his forces were never really defeated, and the victories of his army played a huge part in wearing down the confederacy. Solid defensive, conservative tactics…these proved the undoing of the confederates and Thomas was the master.
Lee was definitely overrated. He did well early in the war because he mostly fought a defensive battle with better troops, on familiar terrain, and against poorly led under trained Union soldiers. Most of his success can be attributed to the generals that fought under his command. His failure at Gettysburgh is indicative of what kind of General he really was. Here is a qoute from just one such man that he should have listened to:
“General, I have been a soldier all my life, and should know, as well as any one, what soldiers can do. It is my opinion that no fifteen thousand men ever arranged for battle can take that position.”
– General James Longstreet to Robert E. Lee,
warning against ordering Pickett’s Charge.
Longstreet was right. He was probably the most maligned southern general in Civil War. Longstreet strongly adhered to his theories about defensive warfare. He was reluctant to attack at the Second Battle of Bull Run. He was also highly critical of the failure of the Army of Tennesee to follow up victory after Chickamonga(spelling). In 1864 he was wounded by friendly fire in the Battle of the Wilderness. This was not too far from where Jackson fell over a year earlier, also wounded by friendly fire.
Most of the ire directed at Longstreet came from some of his criticisms of Lee (especially after Lee had died), Gettysburg(which was not Longstreet’s fault, at least not primarily), his decision to become a republican after the war, and others.
I would have to agree with Imperious…Sherman was the best. and no attacking women and children is not dishonerable. they contribute to the war effort too! and shooting EVERYthing gives you a crazy reputation which gives you a psychological advantage in future battles. WAY better general. wasnt afraid to make the tough choices.
The Confederate Nathan B. Forestern was a great leader of men. General Sherman cursed and praised this man’s raids behind Union lines, stating that he tied up 100,000 union troops.
and no attacking women and children is not dishonerable. they contribute to the war effort too! and shooting EVERYthing gives you a crazy reputation which gives you a psychological advantage in future battles.
I take it you are a big fan of the japanese the aztecs the nazis and vlad the impaler? If not where are we drawing the line?
I would have to agree with Imperious…Sherman was the best. and no attacking women and children is not dishonerable. they contribute to the war effort too! and shooting EVERYthing gives you a crazy reputation which gives you a psychological advantage in future battles. WAY better general. wasnt afraid to make the tough choices.
The winners of wars write the history. Had a Confederate Army burned a state captial like Sherman did, American History would have labeled the leader of that Army a criminal.
Forrest Gump was the best
A large portion of Chambersburg, Pa was burned down in 1864. The city was invaded several times throughout the war. The damage may not have been as significant as Fredericksburg or Atlanta.
That’s cause it was the only free state city the redcoats could get to :wink:
I think that incident was a mixture of banditry and revenge…probably not sanctioned by Lee.
When did the British decide to help the south?@Zhukov44:
That’s cause it was the only free state city the redcoats could get to :wink:
I think that incident was a mixture of banditry and revenge…probably not sanctioned by Lee.
When did the British decide to help the south?@Zhukov44:
That’s cause it was the only free state city the redcoats could get to :wink:
I think that incident was a mixture of banditry and revenge…probably not sanctioned by Lee.
Yeah, I thought we were talking Civil War here.
@Brain:
Yeah, I thought we were talking Civil War here.
Whats so civil about wars anyway ?
The War of Southern Independence is how we southern refer to the War between the States.
Possibly you are correct zhukov, however the city was invaded several times and as far as I am aware, the invasions were conducted by line troops rather than full fledged bandits and outlaws. (like Quantril in Missouri and Kansas, he was much worse than a bandit). In early fights the targets were limited pretty much to strategic targets. I think it was Early who gave the orders to wreck Thaddeous Stevens Ironworks and that probably was more revenge and anger than anything.
