Top Ten American Civil War Generals

I was named after Lee, but Jackson was the better commander. Having only ever lost one fight, he did extraordinary things with very few resources. One of the greatest military minds in history, in my opinion. - MacPhail

I'm named after this man

If he would have lived the south would have won the war

Had he lived longer he may have “prolonged” the war, but he would not enable the codnfederacy to win the war. Think about it from a strategic, resource perspective. My opinion may not be popular, but it is more realistic. Every general had bad days/ battles, Lee included.

The first real modern general. He understood the basics of total warfare before anyone else

One of the worst and only saved by better Generals like George Thomas

This guy kicked butt when he did the March to the sea

Umm, has any who heard of the March to sea?!

#1 not that surrendering coward Robert E Lee for sure or that Sherman stay 200 Miles south of Forrest cause of Fear of him and Transmississippi Huge Army. Nat Bedford Forrest is all time 7-1 in battles as a general of men.

Forrest was a force of nature, no fear, all natural warrior ability. He loved to fight. He lived to fight.

When Lee was asked, who his finest soldier was< He commented "A general I've never met Nathan Bedford Forrest", Sherman echoed the same, The greatest military mind on either side of the war. 3rd grade education and not a west pint graduate!

Top Union General underaged in history books

The Rock was overlooked as he never sought the political ladder for success and self promotion. Top 3 all time USA with Patton and Washington

Perhaps the greatest tactician of the War. Very underrated probably because of his being of southern birth.

Unsung hero and Rock of the Union

Longstreet was a superb tactician, especially on the defensive. Working in a Republican administration after the war had a negative impact on his image in the South; this in turn may have had a negative impact on his rating as a Confederate general.

Best defensive fighter in the war.. his strategies were years ahead of his time

Lee called him "My Old Warhorse". Lee also stated on numerous occasions that Old Pete was his best lieutenant. Old Pete was a great battlefield strategist. Unfortunately, the blatantly incompetent Ewell worked hard to tarnish Longstreet's name after the war.

General Longstreet belongs at #2 just below General Lee. Old Pete made many of Lee's victories possible.

He came up with the plan that destroyed the south

No

This man along with Longstreet were the best generals in the war.

Good job on bringing hookers to the military camps

He save countless lifes

Probally the best defensive general in the war,kept Sherman at bay for many months.

Good engineer

I meant to give Hood a thumbs down. Hood was a commander with little imagination who used brute force instead of maneuver - and his solders paid the price. His attack at Franklin was criminal.
Lee described him as "All lion - no fox"

Definitely not the very bets but a really great soldier and general. Did what he was ordered and pursued the orders flawlessly without complaint.

He was one of the worst

He seemed to be a pretty good strategist, his biggest flaw was sticking with a plan even if circumstances made it not as good, (Meade removing the U.S.C.T. at the Crater, and the late pontoon bridges at Fredericksburg. He also managed to launch successful campaigns in North Carolina as well as East Tennessee. He doesn’t get much credit however, because he was an honest man, and never tried to make his reputation something it wasn’t, as was the case with many other Generals.

Only major defeat was Fredericksburg, maybe not the best, but he wasn’t as bad as many people see him. Most Generals had a major defeat at some point, for instance, Lee at Gettysburg, and Grant at Cold Harbor. Not A great general, but not horrible either. He did fine as a core commander, and didn’t want command of the Entire army. He declined twice, and only accepted when he was told it was either him or Hooker, (who also failed).

A genius on defense, a bad temper hurt his reputation.

This guy fought the Battle of Gettysburg against Lee and won.

I'm surprised that Johnston wasn't already on here. He though he was not the greatest (That distinction belongs to Lee) he did a good job in command of the Western Theatre considering what he had. After his death at Shiloh the Western Theatre went awry and it was all downhill from there

Already on the list

Unfortunately he died on the first day of Gettysburg

He isn't a 4 star general. He was a brigadier general, one star general. The youngest general of that time. Got promoted when he was 20 or 24 (something like that). - zxm