Least favorite generals

[RichardS]

How about we talk about least favorite generals in this thread? Have we mentioned 'Spoons' Butler?

[Viperlord]

Originally Posted by RichardS

How about we talk about least favorite generals in this thread? Have we mentioned 'Spoons' Butler?

I mentioned him for being a incompetent failure at everything he did in the Civil War.

[TomDeFranco]

Originally Posted by Viperlord

I mentioned him for being a incompetent failure at everything he did in the Civil War.

I think he was horrible in the field, but wasn't bad in administrating New Orleans. If nothig else, he was worth a laugh.

[Eric Wittenberg]

This is for our persistent neo-Confederate friend SouthernHeel and his protege, Lost Causer Hardrada: http://www.cafepress.com/+gen_sherma...shirt,76326169

Enjoy, guys. I'd love to see one of those on the Lost Causers.....

[Phil Kost]

Originally Posted by Eric Wittenberg

This is for our persistent neo-Confederate friend SouthernHeel and his protege, Lost Causer Hardrada: http://www.cafepress.com/+gen_sherma...shirt,76326169

Enjoy, guys. I'd love to see one of those on the Lost Causers.....

That is awesome. I need to put that on my Christmas wish list.

[KICK]

Originally Posted by RichardS

How about we talk about least favorite generals in this thread? Have we mentioned 'Spoons' Butler?

the Yankees always seem to had the market cornered on incompetent political generals..

what about Fremont?

[hellboy30]

Originally Posted by KICK

the Yankees always seem to had the market cornered on incompetent political generals..

what about Fremont?

Bah, for each incompetent yankee general, I can give you a Confederate one.
Pillow
Floyd
Zollicoffer
Theophilus Holmes
Leonidas Polk
Van Dorn (with Holly Springs being the exception)
Hood as the head of the AoT-though I wouldnt call him incompetent....just a victim of the Peter Principe.
Bragg-not incompetent, but had the uncanny knack to turn victory into defeat
Pemberton-another victim of the Peter Principle

[KICK]

Originally Posted by hellboy30

Bah, for each incompetent yankee general, I can give you a Confederate one.
Pillow
Floyd
Zollicoffer
Theophilus Holmes
Leonidas Polk
Van Dorn (with Holly Springs being the exception)
Hood as the head of the AoT-though I wouldnt call him incompetent....just a victim of the Peter Principe.
Bragg-not incompetent, but had the uncanny knack to turn victory into defeat
Pemberton-another victim of the Peter Principle

you have a point.

what did Grant say about Pillow in reference to Donelson/Henry?

[dean_1230]

Originally Posted by KICK

you have a point.

what did Grant say about Pillow in reference to Donelson/Henry?

From Grant's memoirs (Chapter 22, emphasis mine):

On the 7th, the day after the fall of Fort Henry, I took my staff and the cavalry - a part of one regiment - and made a reconnoissance to within about a mile of the outer line of works at Donelson. I had known General Pillow in Mexico, and judged that with any force, no matter how small, I could march up to within gunshot of any intrenchments he was given to hold. I said this to the officers of my staff at the time. I knew that Floyd was in command, but he was no soldier, and I judged that he would yield to Pillow's pretensions. I met, as I expected, no opposition in making the reconnoissance and, besides learning the topography of the country on the way and around Fort Donelson, found that there were two roads available for marching; one leading to the village of Dover, the other to Donelson.

[White Mongoose]

Originally Posted by Viperlord

George McClellan, for missing numerous opportunities to destroy Lee's army and bring a end to the war.

I remember reading somewhere about a general who got lost and end up come out to face Lee's rear, despite of being told to take advantage of this, he refuse to attack because it wasn't planned as on paper. So he made his men go all way back and attack from flank and was unable to carry out a good job of it. So someone ended up demoted him or something.
Was it this fool?

[Viperlord]

Originally Posted by White Mongoose

I remember reading somewhere about a general who got lost and end up come out to face Lee's rear, despite of being told to take advantage of this, he refuse to attack because it wasn't planned as on paper. So he made his men go all way back and attack from flank and was unable to carry out a good job of it. So someone ended up demoted him or something.
Was it this fool?

I believe the name you are looking for is Lew Wallace.

[White Mongoose]

Originally Posted by Viperlord

I believe the name you are looking for is Lew Wallace.

Thanks! Yes it was him!
I looked him up briefly and read a bit about Shiloh.
It got me wondering is he really a dumb commander or just a commander who made one dumb mistake?

[TomDeFranco]

Originally Posted by White Mongoose

Thanks! Yes it was him!
I looked him up briefly and read a bit about Shiloh.
It got me wondering is he really a dumb commander or just a commander who made one dumb mistake?

Actually, I think that Grant and Wallace share the blame at Shiloh. He performed well in an almost impossible situation at Monocacy in July 1864.

And, of course, Lee was not at Shiloh.

[KICK]

Originally Posted by White Mongoose

Thanks! Yes it was him!
I looked him up briefly and read a bit about Shiloh.
It got me wondering is he really a dumb commander or just a commander who made one dumb mistake?

aint none of them didn't make mistakes, given enough time