Best Generals in US History?

[Craig Hipkins]

I'll bet that Clinton was studying Johnson's impeachment pretty darn close back in 1998. He would have been looking for historical precedent even though the facts of each case were completely different.

Craig

[LincolnMan]

I don't think this particular U.S. General would be considered one of the best- but here trivia question about him:

Which U.S. General's middle name also is a word that pertains to conditions of a bet?

[Thomas Thorne]

Henry Wager Halleck-I can't visualize "Old Brains" being a Damon Runyan character but he would have been a great pari-mutual clerk.
Tom

[LincolnMan]

Right on! In fact, I think Lincoln-at some point- said about as much concerning Halleck. Great guess.

[LincolnMan]

Pre Civil War-Winfield Scott-The Duke of Wellington was an avid Scott fan.

Civil War-Robert E Lee-I decided he was slightly better than Grant after doing a thought experiment on what would have happened if Lee and Grant had assumed each others' job in March 1864.

20th Century-George Patton-His German enemies who were the masters of the operational arts of war believed him to be the most dangerous Allied general.
Tom

I just finished reading the book Lions of the West by Robert Morgan. The author details the history of ten Americans, including Winfield Scott. Now I'm totally convinced Scott is one of our greatest military generals. His brilliance in the Mexican War is hardly matched by anyone-and so many of our officers that we know from the Civil War served under him.

[Laurie Verge]

I have often thought that modern, Civil War authors have done Winfield Scott a great disservice by overly emphasizing his age and his girth at the time of the war, making him appear past his prime and ineffective. I will admit that I'm allergic to reading military histories, but the little that I have read that mentions Scott is somewhat disrespectful.

[LincolnMan]

Laurie: I agree totally. Lincoln, it seems to me, had great respect for him-now i know why better.

[HerbS]

Generals-Sullivan,Marion,and Washington from the Revolution.Generals-Lee,Jackson,Longstreet and Stuart,along with Grant and? in the Civil War. General Pershing in WW1.Then there were Generals-Patton,Ike,and Marshall in WW2.Generals-Schwartzcough[sp] and Powell in recent times.Viet-Nam puzzles me.The Korean Confict escapes me.But,of all of them I enjoy Custer's free spirit!

[LincolnMan]

Go Wolverines! My wife's uncle died a couple of days ago. He was a WWII veteran. I spent an hour talking to him last year about his service. His proudest moment of his life? Serving with Patton. He was at the Battle of the Bulge. RIP. Patton may have been "Blood & Guts"- but the men who served under him remained loyal to the memory to the end. So it is with all the great Commanders - whether it be Jackson's foot cavalry or Lee's Army of Northern Virginia boys- some leaders have that lasting impact.