What Civil War Generals thought about each other

Leftyhunter · Apr 1, 2024

This video has quotes about what top ACW generals plus President Lincoln and Davis thought about other ACW generals.
Interestingly enough both General Grant and Lee had very similar opinions about Confederate General John Bell Hood as a very courageous officer but a bit reckless. Both Grant and Lee as well as Sherman had a high opinion of Confederate Lt General Nathan Bedford Forest. Surprisingly enough Lee after the war said that accusations of cruelty against General Sherman were highly exaterated and Lee told a faculty member of Lee and Washington University in strong terms not to disparage Grant.
Leftyhunter

U S Grant · Apr 1, 2024

Benjamin Butler, was almost at times hard to identify for his politics, but once the war began he became a Union supporter and a late found abolitionist. He was an awful commander, and botched his invasion of Northern North Carolina, and the thoughtfully designed (by others) attack toward Richmond. Because he was a Democrat/Abolitionist, Grant couldn't remove him from command till after the 1864 election. That didn't stop basically everyone from admitting he was a really bad general.

I don't particularly care what historian you read of the Civil War, everyone I have read has damned him for his inabilities.

U S Grant · Apr 1, 2024

George B. McClellan, was somewhat of a genius, graduated at age 19 from West Point, 2nd in his class. He was an engineer by profession, and a great student of warfare. His analysis of the Crimean War when he was assigned as an observer was a truly fantastic analysis (well worth the read).

However McClellan couldn't fight to save his soul. He made really wrong decisions in battle, and Lee and others depended on his mistakes. Lincoln described him as having the "slows", as did the other Western commanders like Grant, Sherman, and Sheridan.

Silesius Smithee · Apr 1, 2024

Lee and Grant had fought side by side in the mexican war and "respected" each other; I don't know enough about the others to comment.

Neh.gov (2007): Common Bonds: The Duty and Honor of Lee and Grant

Chlodio · Apr 1, 2024

U S Grant said:
Benjamin Butler, was almost at times hard to identify for his politics, but once the war began he became a Union supporter and a late found abolitionist. He was an awful commander, and botched his invasion of Northern North Carolina, and the thoughtfully designed (by others) attack toward Richmond. Because he was a Democrat/Abolitionist, Grant couldn't remove him from command till after the 1864 election. That didn't stop basically everyone from admitting he was a really bad general.

I don't particularly care what historian you read of the Civil War, everyone I have read has damned him for his inabilities.

I agree about his tactical abilities, but in some ways he was one of the more colorful personalities of the war. He was the one who started the practice of calling slaves 'contrabands.' Then there was General Order 28:
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF
New Orleans, May 15, 1862 .As the officers and soldiers of the United States have been subject to repeated insults from the women (calling themselves ......) of New Orleans in return for the most scrupulous non-interference and courtesy on our part, it is ordered that hereafter when any female shall by word, gesture, or movement insult or show contempt for any officer or soldier of the United States she shall be regarded and held liable to be treated as a woman of the town plying her avocation.
By command of Major-General Butler

U S Grant · Apr 1, 2024

Confederate Generals Buckner, Pillow, Floyd. Pillow and Floyd run away from Fort Donnelson and desert their own command, Buckner is left to solve the problem and makes foolish moves that Grant takes advantage of. Buckner states that if he had command he wouldn't have made the same mistakes Floyd made, Grant points out that if Buckner had been in charge he would have made other decisions that he had considered. He was a friend of Buckner's but he knew him too well. Pillow and Floyd were just bad generals.

U S Grant · Apr 1, 2024

I try to make nice with Meade, but in my heart I can't. You have to credit him for Gettysburg, but not as much as you notice Lee's mistakes, and Jeb Stuarts insubordination. By the time of Wilderness however, Grant realizes that Meade isn't going to be able to command the Army of the Potomac, and that he has to do double duty as overall Union commander and chief, and keep Meade from being dumb. Eventually at the end of the war Sheridan is really in charge of the Army and Meade is simply a figure head, doing what Grant intends.

U S Grant · Apr 1, 2024

Jeb Stuart foolish swashbuckler, and insubordinate General. Everyone loves a swashbuckler, except when they are foolish, and Stuart was foolish. Lee knew that but loved him.

Silesius Smithee · Apr 1, 2024

U S Grant said:
George B. McClellan, was somewhat of a genius, graduated at age 19 from West Point, 2nd in his class. He was an engineer by profession, and a great student of warfare. His analysis of the Crimean War when he was assigned as an observer was a truly fantastic analysis (well worth the read).

However McClellan couldn't fight to save his soul. He made really wrong decisions in battle, and Lee and others depended on his mistakes. Lincoln described him as having the "slows", as did the other Western commanders like Grant, Sherman, and Sheridan.

A memory stirs that Lincoln once telegraphed to McClellan, "If you're not going to use the Army, may I borrow it for a time"?

As a fellow engineer I respect McClellan; If I were a General I'd probably be much like him, it's probably a good thing that I'm NOT a General. Risk-averse. Constantly over-thinking things, to the nth degree of "what if"? ("What if?" a Maersck cargo ship loses power and hits a bridge?" ) (Sorry, had to post it )

I *like* McClellen's cautious attitude. Heck if he were alive today, perhaps we could found the firm of "McClellan,Smithee, and Associates". LOL.... but probably not the best attitude to go into battle with.

U S Grant · Apr 1, 2024

As we go through this list can we mention Jefferson Davis? I mean he thought he was Napoleon or something similar, and had an uncanny knack for putting the wrong people in charge of the wrong thing.

Grenadier On Beans · Apr 1, 2024

U S Grant said:
George B. McClellan, was somewhat of a genius, graduated at age 19 from West Point, 2nd in his class. He was an engineer by profession, and a great student of warfare. His analysis of the Crimean War when he was assigned as an observer was a truly fantastic analysis (well worth the read).

However McClellan couldn't fight to save his soul. He made really wrong decisions in battle, and Lee and others depended on his mistakes. Lincoln described him as having the "slows", as did the other Western commanders like Grant, Sherman, and Sheridan.

McClellan is perfect proof that a distinguished military education does not automatically make someone a good field commander, he would have been much better suited to some sort of role in administration.

Chlodio · Apr 1, 2024

U S Grant said:
As we go through this list can we mention Jefferson Davis? I mean he thought he was Napoleon or something similar, and had an uncanny knack for putting the wrong people in charge of the wrong thing.

Oh, well in that case he was a new Napoleon since the old Napoleon also had tendency to put the wrong people in the wrong place. Put Ney in charge at Waterloo, leave Devout in charge of Paris, Joseph and Massena in Spain ...

Grenadier On Beans · Apr 1, 2024

Chlodio said:
Oh, well in that case he was a new Napoleon since the old Napoleon also had tendency to put the wrong people in the wrong place. Put Ney in charge at Waterloo, leave Devout in charge of Paris, Joseph and Massena in Spain ...

Those are isolated incidents though, Napoleon usually had a great eye for putting people in the right places

delta1 · Apr 1, 2024

U S Grant said:
George B. McClellan, was somewhat of a genius, graduated at age 19 from West Point, 2nd in his class. He was an engineer by profession, and a great student of warfare. His analysis of the Crimean War when he was assigned as an observer was a truly fantastic analysis (well worth the read).

However McClellan couldn't fight to save his soul. He made really wrong decisions in battle, and Lee and others depended on his mistakes. Lincoln described him as having the "slows", as did the other Western commanders like Grant, Sherman, and Sheridan.

McClellan was a superb organizer. He was just a lousy field commander.

DingBat · Apr 1, 2024

U S Grant said:
George B. McClellan, was somewhat of a genius, graduated at age 19 from West Point, 2nd in his class. He was an engineer by profession, and a great student of warfare. His analysis of the Crimean War when he was assigned as an observer was a truly fantastic analysis (well worth the read).

However McClellan couldn't fight to save his soul. He made really wrong decisions in battle, and Lee and others depended on his mistakes. Lincoln described him as having the "slows", as did the other Western commanders like Grant, Sherman, and Sheridan.

McClellan was a great trainer of men, and had a knack for logistics, but as you say the concepts of initiative, drive, surprise, etc, were not his strong suit.

DingBat · Apr 1, 2024

U S Grant said:
I try to make nice with Meade, but in my heart I can't. You have to credit him for Gettysburg, but not as much as you notice Lee's mistakes, and Jeb Stuarts insubordination. By the time of Wilderness however, Grant realizes that Meade isn't going to be able to command the Army of the Potomac, and that he has to do double duty as overall Union commander and chief, and keep Meade from being dumb. Eventually at the end of the war Sheridan is really in charge of the Army and Meade is simply a figure head, doing what Grant intends.

I find Gettysburg fascinating. One general has a division that's short of footwear. He thinks there might be some in some back woods town. His orders are not to become committed to any engagement. Does he send a regiment or two to reconnoiter the town? No, he sends his entire division. Almost everything follows on from that. And Stuart deprives his commander of vital intelligence for days at the exact moment when it would have done the most good.

The one thing you can say about Meade is that he stood and fought where others had previously fled.

Edit: Didn't Meade get command because he was the only one not to outright reject it, or reject Lincoln's interference? I might not be remembering correctly.

Murffy · Apr 1, 2024

DingBat said:
Edit: Didn't Meade get command because he was the only one not to outright reject it, or reject Lincoln's interference? I might not be remembering correctly.

My understanding is that Meade was politically palatable and generally well liked by the other generals, even the McClellan crowd.

Chlodio · Apr 1, 2024

U S Grant said:
I try to make nice with Meade, but in my heart I can't. You have to credit him for Gettysburg, but not as much as you notice Lee's mistakes, and Jeb Stuarts insubordination. By the time of Wilderness however, Grant realizes that Meade isn't going to be able to command the Army of the Potomac, and that he has to do double duty as overall Union commander and chief, and keep Meade from being dumb. Eventually at the end of the war Sheridan is really in charge of the Army and Meade is simply a figure head, doing what Grant intends.

The Grant-Meade command relationship was not unique. Sherman had a similar relationship with his various army commanders.

Chlodio · Apr 1, 2024

DingBat said:
I find Gettysburg fascinating. One general has a division that's short of footwear. He thinks there might be some in some back woods town. His orders are not to become committed to any engagement. Does he send a regiment or two to reconnoiter the town? No, he sends his entire division. Almost everything follows on from that. And Stuart deprives his commander of vital intelligence for days at the exact moment when it would have done the most good.

The one thing you can say about Meade is that he stood and fought where others had previously fled.

Edit: Didn't Meade get command because he was the only one not to outright reject it, or reject Lincoln's interference? I might not be remembering correctly.

Don't believe the shoe story. After the battle various commanders used that story as an excuse for why they had fought the battle in the first place. There was no reason to think there would be shoes in Gettysburg. Confederate troops had passed through the town several days before. If any shoes had ever existed at Gettysburg those first troops would have taken them all. Four Confederate divisions marched to Gettysburg that morning. They weren't all looking for shoes. They were looking for a fight.

Meade got the job for the most boring reason - he was the most senior general in the army after Hooker resigned/ got fired.

Leftyhunter · Apr 1, 2024

U S Grant said:
Benjamin Butler, was almost at times hard to identify for his politics, but once the war began he became a Union supporter and a late found abolitionist. He was an awful commander, and botched his invasion of Northern North Carolina, and the thoughtfully designed (by others) attack toward Richmond. Because he was a Democrat/Abolitionist, Grant couldn't remove him from command till after the 1864 election. That didn't stop basically everyone from admitting he was a really bad general.

I don't particularly care what historian you read of the Civil War, everyone I have read has damned him for his inabilities.

Actually far from true Butler was praised as an effective administrator and effective counterinsurgency leader in Louisiana when he was the military governor for New Orleans.
A Question of Command: Counterinsurgency from the Civil War to Iraq (Yale Library of Military History) Amazon.com
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What Civil War Generals thought about each other

Leftyhunter

U S Grant

U S Grant

Silesius Smithee

Chlodio

U S Grant

U S Grant

U S Grant

Silesius Smithee

U S Grant

Grenadier On Beans

Chlodio

Grenadier On Beans

delta1

DingBat

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Murffy

Chlodio

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