Best Generals in US History?

[LincolnMan]

Yes, I would add Marshall and Pershing to the list also. I'm glad Union General Thomas was mentioned also. I think he is very underrated.

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How about Albert Sidney Johnson as an addition?

[Craig Hipkins]

I agree with a few others on here that mentioned George Thomas. He was probably one of the most underappreciated Generals in the Union Army. Both Jackson's, Stonewall and Andrew are no-brainers. However, what about General Nathaniel Greene who kept the American Army in the field during the Revolution? Or Daniel Morgan who bested Tarleton at the Cowpens? I believe that if it hadn't been for those two chaps we probably would never have heard of the Jackson's, Lee's, Grant's or Patton's that came later.

Craig

[Hess1865]

Grant
all the way

[Christine]

I find it interesting that so many have mentioned Stonewall Jackson. One of my choices would have to be Frederick W Lander who gave Jackson one of his few defeats (some writers have said his only defeat). Early in 1862 Jackson tried to take Hancock, West Virginia and sent an ultimatum to General Lander to give up the town or face bombardment. Lander replied in typical fashion, "Bombard and be damned." Jackson did, and finally gave up the fight and withdrew his men.

I wonder what the early war would have been like had Lander not died a few weeks later. In my opinion, one of the great unsung heros of the Civil War.

My other choice - Joshua Chamberlain.

[JMadonna]

Or Daniel Morgan who bested Tarleton at the Cowpens?

Morgan's double envelopment strategy at Cowpens was a tactical masterpiece that is still studied at West Point.

[Craig Hipkins]

Or Daniel Morgan who bested Tarleton at the Cowpens?

Morgan's double envelopment strategy at Cowpens was a tactical masterpiece that is still studied at West Point.

Jerry,

I agree,a tactical masterpiece. I live only about 35 miles from the battlefield so I have had the chance to study the terrain which is now preserved much as it was the day the battle was fought. I would have to rank this battle as being up there with Cannae as far as almost perfect battle tactics (if such a thing exists)
By the way Jerry, almost halfway through your book which I purchased through last month. Many comliments!

Craig

[RJNorton]

I second Craig. Jerry's book truly held my attention throughout. The book gives a different "take" on many of the assassination-related events; agree or disagree, there is never a boring moment. Example: was Andrew Johnson alone in his room at the Kirkwood House on the night of the assassination? Perhaps, but Jerry's book has another possibility!

[JMadonna]

Craig and Roger,

Thank you for your compliments, they are very much appreciated.

[Craig Hipkins]

Roger,
That is a good question which I have pondered since reading it the other night. Did Johnson believe that he might be arrested as an accomplice? Also, if Jerry is correct and he had issued passes to Booth and Herold (which I now believe was a good possibility) what happened to the passes? Would protocol have had Sgt. Cobb collecting the passes and turning them in, or would he have merely examined them and returned them to their owners?

Craig

[RJNorton]

Craig, I do not know about the passes. However, Johnson did not answer the door immediately when Wisconsin Governor Leonard Farwell rushed from Ford's to the Kirkwood House to tell Johnson Lincoln had been shot. Here's the way Farwell told it:

"And then darting up to Mr. Johnson's room, No. 68, I knocked, but hearing no movement I knocked again, and called out with the loudest voice that I could command: "Governor Johnson, if you are in this room I must see you!" In a moment I heard him spring from his bed and exclaim: "Farwell, is that you?" "Yes, let me in." I replied. The door was opened, I passed in, locked it, and told him the terrible news, which for a time overwhelmed us both, and grasping hands, we fell upon each other as if for mutual support."

Possibly Johnson was alone and just took some time in answering. But, could another person in the room simply have needed some time to hide?

[L Verge]

When military passes were issued, wouldn't they be checked at each point and returned to the bearer in order for that person to pass through other sentry points? Granted that Booth and Herold would have had a much harder time approaching other sentries between Washington and the Confederacy, but I can't imagine that they would relinquish or toss those passes (if they existed) once they cleared the Navy Yard Bridge.

Has anyone ever seen what a U.S. military pass looked like in 1865? Was there a place for a sentry to initial or stamp approval for passage? Would Johnson have issued a personalized pass instead of a standard one?

[JMadonna]

When military passes were issued, wouldn't they be checked at each point and returned to the bearer in order for that person to pass through other sentry points? Granted that Booth and Herold would have had a much harder time approaching other sentries between Washington and the Confederacy, but I can't imagine that they would relinquish or toss those passes (if they existed) once they cleared the Navy Yard Bridge.

Has anyone ever seen what a U.S. military pass looked like in 1865? Was there a place for a sentry to initial or stamp approval for passage? Would Johnson have issued a personalized pass instead of a standard one?

You are correct Laurie, sentries would have given them back. I found this item after I published my book but included it in later editions.

When Col. Roger E. Cook of the 13th Maryland Infantry received the news from Washington early on April 15th he immediately passed along the following order: "Maj. You will immediately cause all your pickets along line of Railroad to be instructed to arrest all persons attempting to pass the lines with or without passes who are not known to be trustworthy...”.

This order to disregard passes is an indication that authorities were aware that Booth had a pass.

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Possibly Johnson was alone and just took some time in answering. But, could another person in the room simply have needed some time to hide?

Roger,
Obviously you've never tried to hide a hooker in your hotel room. Neither have I, but I don't think it's possible.

[RJNorton]

Ella Starr Turner was not in there?

[L Verge]

I believe that I am correct that few bedrooms in homes or hotels had closets during this period. And if they did, the closets were not very deep. Clothes were hung by the neckline, not on hangers. Armoires might have been in a reputable hotel like the Kirkwood. They were not very deep either, but a tiny little girl like Ella was reported to be might have fit into one, if she removed her hoops and flattened them.

However, I'm a romantic and would like to think that Booth had no intentions of shoving Ella into a sexual encounter with Johnson. If she were indeed part of his plan, I think she would have been there for "conversation" purposes to make sure the VP stayed where he was supposed to be when targeted. Sort of tease, but don't touch...

Also, fancy women usually wore heavy perfumes in that day. Wouldn't that have been noticed and commented on by someone who happened to walk in during Johnson's dalliance? Or, was that just one more thing that had to be covered up.

It just dawned on me that some of you may not know the title of Jerry's controversial (but thought-provoking) book -- Look for A Threat to the Republic.

[JMadonna]

Ella Starr Turner was not in there?

Of course she was - Laurie's right there was just no place to hide her.

Laurie, Much as I respect your romantic views, I don't think Booth shoved her into an encounter. This was just a straight business deal. Cash for services rendered.

And thank you for the plug, much appreciated.