Favorite Civil War General?

[Equator]

Originally Posted by Grandstander

I like Sherman as well, but not for what he did so much as it is because he was the most interesting thinker about the concept of war, a pragmatic philosopher-warrier who had no use for romantic notions or puffery. "War is cruelty and you cannot refine it" I regard as the most precise and succinct summary ever applied to the art of organized homicide and destruction.

In terms of brilliant generalship, I am most in awe of Nathan Bedford Forrest. While his racial attitudes were among the most severe in an age of extreme racial attitudes, he was an incredible dynamo of a fighter. Absent much formal education of any sort, Forrest had still managed to make himself into a very wealthy busnessman, with one of those businesses being the slave trade. Then absent any sort of formal military training or experience, Forrest made himself into an astonishingly effective cavalry leader.

And if his field generalship was original and innovative, his personal exploits enhanced his reputation even more. Forrest didn't just lead, he fought, personally killing 21 Yanks in combat. He was wounded numerous times, including once by one of his own men who tried to assassinate him, but was killed by Forrest instead. And his most famous exploit at the end of the Shiloh battle...

Nathan Bedford Forrest - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

All my compliments are focused on his war leadership and battle skills....by no means should that be taken as any sort of endorsement of Forrest's politics or ethics.

I agree with you on the US hero Sherman & also on White Trash Klansman Forest. I met a man in AK who's great grandfather was a US soldier who beat Forest in a battle. Forest, like the rest of the anti-Americans was a desperado, and as such he was quite avant guarde. He was the first on either the US side or the anti-American side to use his boys to be both infantry and calvary. He'd ride up to meet the Americans and dig in for battle. Then, he'd mount the calvary for either a retreat or a charge against the US.

[Equator]

Originally Posted by Georgiafrog

Robert E. Lee, due to his grace and dignity. Really, he was an overrated general who was outclassed in modern tactics by Jackson, Grant, and Sherman, but as a man, I believe he was the most noble, and brilliant on the defensive.

Lee was noble at stealing (on his Gettysburg fiasco) Americans and selling them off to be sex slaves, yeilding mulattos. Lee was a noble pimp. One who treasonously betrayed his country and wasn't pardoned until Gerald Ford post-humously. Lee was so noble to refuse to honor his father-in-law's will to free his slaves; a court forced Lee to do so. Lee was a Christian - just like Judas.

[Equator]

He lost! Do you call that winning?

[RPON]

Nathan Bedford Forrest. I am named after his first name. I think if I have a son I will name him Brody Forrest.

[Georgiafrog]

Originally Posted by Equator

Lee was noble at stealing (on his Gettysburg fiasco) Americans and selling them off to be sex slaves, yeilding mulattos. Lee was a noble pimp. One who treasonously betrayed his country and wasn't pardoned until Gerald Ford post-humously. Lee was so noble to refuse to honor his father-in-law's will to free his slaves; a court forced Lee to do so. Lee was a Christian - just like Judas.

What a bunch of crap. Re-read the history on the emancipation of his inherited slaves(they were freed within the 5 years, after the estate was out of debt), and the Gettysburg campaign. Who's Kool-aid you drink?

Lee did nothing warranting a pardon. If secession is illegal, it is only because of, and since, that war.

[Georgiafrog]

Originally Posted by RPON

Nathan Bedford Forrest. I am named after his first name. I think if I have a son I will name him Brody Forrest.

If I have a son, I think I'll name him... Bill, or George! Anything but Sue.

[Boompa]

Sherman was the man who figured out that the rebels could stand their own in set piece Napolianic battles but couldn't fight a steady war of attrition. He changed warfare.

[Georgiafrog]

Originally Posted by Boompa

Sherman was the man who figured out that the rebels could stand their own in set piece Napolianic battles but couldn't fight a steady war of attrition. He changed warfare.

True statement, if you add the help of Grant in the Vicksburg campaign.

[RPON]

Originally Posted by Georgiafrog

If I have a son, I think I'll name him... Bill, or George! Anything but Sue.

Lol...

[Boompa]

Originally Posted by Georgiafrog

True statement, if you add the help of Grant in the Vicksburg campaign.

He and Grant were a team, Sherman turned down a Promotion so he wouldn't be equal to Grant