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For me, to whom grew the most in "a quick learning curve" was Adelbert Ames -- Featured in "Gods and Generals" as Lt. Colonel J. Lawrence Chamberlain's first instructor in how to be a commander. Pre-War Profession Sailor, graduated West Point 1861. War Service 1861 Lt. in artillery, First Bull Run (w) - Medal of Honor, Washington defences, Peninsula campaign, August 1862 Col. of 20th Maine, Antietam campaign, Fredericksburg, aide to Meade at Chancellorsville, May 1863 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers commanding 2nd Bde/1 Divn/XI Corps, Gettysburg, with X Corps around Charleston, commanded a 3rd Bde/3rd Divn/XVIII Corps at Cold Harbor, Petersburg, commanded 2nd Divn/XXIV Corps, Fort Fisher. Brevet Promotions Brig. Gen. U.S.A. March 13 1865, Maj. Gen. U.S.V. January 15 1865, Maj. Gen. U.S.A. March 13 1865. Post War Career Army service, provisional governor of Mississippi, resigned US Army 1870, US senator, state governor, Spanish-American War.
In summary--to go from US Navy into US Army. Goes into Bull Run shortly after graduating from West Point; gets wounded and has to sit on top of an artillery piece, directing fire and couldn't physically move unless riding on that piece. His rapid promotion as well as teaching the 20th Maine so well, is commendable.
What I have been seeing through the general 'leadership,' is that those who were under General Winfield Scott blossomed nicely, such as Colonel Robert E. Lee. Being on staff to General Scott, no doubt was a benefit, as to be on staff, requires much interaction and understanding of how command structure works, administration, accountability, battle tactics and placement of the men. So, for me-- Lee had the best coach any General could have asked for and was in the position of taking over for General Scott who was aged. I do believe this is why Scott was so sorrowful to see Lee go with his state and not his entire country/Army. Scott recommended him to head the Union forces--so, that is the highest compliment when your commanding officer recommends you to take his place so he can retire.
General James "Pete" Longstreet, Pre-War Profession Graduated West Point 1842, Indian campaigns, Mexican War, resigned June 1861 War Service June 1861 Brig. Gen., First Manassas, October 1861 Maj. Gen. in command of a division, Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Seven Days, Second Manassas campaign, Corps command at Sharpsburg, October 1862 Lt. Gen. in command of I Corps of ANV, Fredericksburg, Suffolk campaign, Gettysburg, Chickamauga, Knoxville, Wilderness (w), defense of Richmond, Appomattox. Longstreet had served as a staff officer, aide-de-camp, artillery, cavalry and this put him into a better position to leadership; as he was familiar as a Major; to command smaller groups and then when he went into staff officer and aide-de-camp; he learned the administrative aspects as well. I do believe he learned quickly and, it is recognized in hindsight that his defensive tactics were ahead of his time and would delay his enemy toward the end of the Civil War, if not for dwindling ranks, supply and most of all 'food.'
With General A. P. Hill; Graduated West Point 1847, Mexican War, Seminole war, resigned March 1861. War Service May 1861 Col. of 13th Virginia, February 1862 Brig. Gen., commanded 1st Bde/Longstreet’s Divn at Williamsburg, May 1862 Maj. Gen., commanded Hill’s Light Division in Longstreet’s Command at Seven Days, Cedar Mountain, Second Manassas, Sharpsburg, commanded Hill’s Light Divn/II Corps at Chancellorsville, May 1863 Lt. Gen., commanded III Corps at Gettysburg, Bristoe Station, Wilderness, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, killed while rallying his troops after their line had been broken. Notes Although a famous fighter early in the war, he did not perform well after being given Corps command. It seems, that A. P. Hill had many incidents where he was 'ill' and coincidentally, Hill would be 'ill' when he was needed more. It got worse as the war went on.
General Harry Heth-Graduated West Point 1847, frontier duty, Utah expedition, resigned 1861. War Service 1861 Capt., Lt. Col. in 5th Virginia, Col. of 45th Virginia, January 1862 Brig. Gen., commanded a division in the Kentucky campaign, February 1863 joined ANV, commanded Heth’s Bde/Hill’s Divn at Chancellorsville, May 1863 Maj. Gen., commanded Heth’s Divn/III Corps at Gettysburg (w), Bristoe Station, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Petersburg, Appomattox. Post War Career Insurance business, wrote memoirs. Notes His division made first contact at Gettysburg, and he was inclined to be impetuous. He pronounced his name “Heeth”.
Lee's General John Bell Hood, Pre-War Profession 1853 West Point, frontier duty with 2nd Cavalry, resigned April 1861. War Service 1861 1st Lt. of cavalry, recruitment duty, Yorktown, May 1862 Brig. Gen. in command of the Texas Brigade, served under G W Smith in the Peninsula campaign, commanded Hood’s Bde/Whiting's Divn at Seven Days, commanded Hood’s Bde/Evans' Divn at Second Manassas, Sharpsburg, October 1862 Maj. Gen., commanded Hood’s Divn/Longstreet's Corps, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg (w), Chickamauga (w), leg amputated, February 1864 Lt. Gen., commanded Hood’s Corps in Atlanta campaign, schemed to replace Johnston, ordered to replace Johnston at Atlanta with temporary rank of General, Jonesboro, Franklin, Nashville, January 1865 relieved at his own request. Post War Career Unsuccessful businessman, wrote memoirs, died of yellow fever. Notes A rash fighter, he performed well in subordinate roles, but not as an army commander.
General U.S. Grant, Graduated West Point 1843, Mexican war, garrison duty, resigned 1854, firewood peddler, store clerk. War Service 1861 commanded a camp of instruction, June 1861 Col. of 21st Illinois, May 1861 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers, Belmont, Fts Henry and Donelson, February 1862 promoted Maj. Gen. of Volunteers, commanded Army of the Tennessee, Shiloh, Vicksburg campaign, July 1863 promoted Maj. Gen. in Regular Army, Chattanooga campaign, March 1864 Lt. Gen. and general-in-chief, Overland campaign. Post War Career Army service, US president, businessman, writer. Notes He was the general that Lincoln had been looking for, as he was in Mrs. Lincoln's alleged words - a 'bull dog.'
General Joe Hooker, Graduated West Point 1837, Seminole war, adjutant at West Point, Mexican war, resigned US army 1853, farmer, served in California state militia. War Service May 1861 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers, served in Washington defenses, commanded 2nd Divn/III Corps in Peninsula campaign, Seven Days, Second Manassas, May 1862 promoted Maj. Gen. of Volunteers, commanded I Corps at South Mountain, Antietam, commanded Center Grand Divn at Fredericksburg, commanded Army of the Potomac at Chancellorsville, relieved of command before Gettysburg at his own request when he didn't receive the reinforcements that he asked for, commanded XI and XII Corps in the West, commanded XX Corps at Lookout Mountain, Atlanta campaign, requested to be relieved when he didn't get the command of the Army of the Tennessee after McPherson's death, had no more field command. Brevet Promotions Maj. Gen. U.S.A. March 13 1865.Post War Career Army service, retired in 1868 due to invalidity. It just really proves, that you can be a commander of West Point but, that doesn't mean one can lead on the battlefield -- just handle raw cadets in non-battle situations.
General Ambrose Burnside's career isn't all that exciting either; Tailor, graduated West Point 1847, Mexican war, frontier duty, resigned US Army 1853, businessman, militia officer. War Service 1861 organized 1st Rhode Island - Col., commanded a brigade at First Bull Run, August 1861 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers, led expeditions against the North Carolina coast, New Berne, March 1862 promoted Maj. Gen. of Volunteers, commanded Left Wing at Antietam, ordered to command Army of the Potomac November 1862, Fredericksburg, commanded Dept. of the Ohio, Knoxville, commanded IX corps at Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Petersburg, Crater, relieved of command, resigned April 1865. Post War Career Governor, businessman, US senator.
General John Pope, Graduated West Point 1842, Mexican War, engineering and topographical duty. War Service May 1861 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers, commanded Districts in Missouri, commanded Army of the Mississippi, captured New Madrid, Island No 10, March 1862 promoted Maj. Gen. of Volunteers, advance on Corinth, July 1862 appointed Brig. Gen. in Regular Army, commanded Army of Virginia at Second Bull Run, commanded Dept. of the Northwest. Brevet Promotions Maj. Gen. U.S.A. March 13 1865. Post War Career Army service, fought Indians, retired 1886. Notes An unpleasant and unpopular commander, who was not helped at Second Bull Run by McClellan's attitude. Further, Pope did not support his commanders either.
General George B. McClellan; Graduated West Point 1846, duty in Engineers, Mexican war, constructed forts and harbors, instructor at West Point, observer in Crimean War, saddle designer, resigned US Army 1857, railroad executive. War Service April 1861 Maj. Gen. of Ohio volunteers, commanded Dept of the Ohio, Rich Mountain, Corrick's Ford, May 1861 Maj. Gen. in Regular Army, commanded Army of the Potomac, appointed general-in-chief November 1861, Peninsula campaign, Seven Days, his army was given by Lincoln to Pope, returned after Second Bull Run, Antietam campaign, relieved of active duty, unsuccessful Democratic presidential candidate in 1864. Post War Career Civil engineer, businessman, author, governor of New Jersey. Notes Organised the Army of the Potomac brilliantly, but was reluctant to use it to fight and always calling for more troops.
General Irvin McDowell, Graduated West Point 1838, instructor at West Point, Mexican war, staff officer. War Service May 1861 promoted Brig. Gen. of Regular Army, commanded Union forces at First Bull Run, March 1862 appointed Maj. Gen. of Volunteers, defenses of Washington, commanded III Corps at Second Bull Run, commanded Dept of the Pacific. Brevet Promotions Maj. Gen. U.S.A. March 13 1865. Post War Career Army service, commanded Depts in the South and West, retired 1882. McDpwell, for what he had to work with at that point in the Civil War, did well even though he did not get a win or beat the enemy.
General George Meade, Graduated West Point 1835, Seminole war, ordnance duty, resigned US Army 1836, railroad engineering work, surveyor, rejoined army 1842, survey duty, Mexican war, engineering duty. War Service August 1861 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers, Washington defenses, commanded 2nd Bde/3rd Divn/V Corps in Seven Days, Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mill, Glendale (w), commanded 1st Bde/Pennsylvania Reserves/III Corps at Second Bull Run, commanded 3rd Divn/III Corps at Antietam, Falmouth, November 1862 promoted Maj. Gen. of Volunteers, Fredericksburg, commanded V Corps at Chancellorsville, commanded Army of the Potomac from Gettysburg onwards, July 1863 Brig. Gen. in Regular Army, August 1864 Maj. Gen. in regular Army, Bristoe Station, Mine Run, served under Grant as commander of the Army of the Potomac from the Wilderness until Appomattox. Post War Career Army service, commanded Military Division of the Atlantic and Department of the East, Reconstruction administration. I believe, when Meade took command, the better use of railroads begun as well.
General Winfield Scott Hancock, Graduated West Point 1844, frontier duty, Mexican war, Kansas war, Utah expedition, quartermaster service.
War Service September 1861 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers, commanded 1stBde/2nd Divn/IV Corps in Peninsula, Seven Days, commanded 1st Bde/2nd Divn/VI Corps at Antietam, November 1862 promoted Maj. Gen. of Volunteers, commanded 1st Divn/II Corps at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, commanded II Corps at Gettysburg (w), Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, August 1864 Brig. Gen. in Regular Army, commanded Dept of West Virginia. Brevet Promotions Maj. Gen. U.S.A. March 13 1865. Post War Career Army service, commanded Dept. of the East, US presidential candidate in 1880.
Notes One of the greatest eastern generals, to which he captured more enemy prisoners than any other Corps, had 'insight' and good leadership skills. I am sure, if he was given command after Burnside's failure, the war would be 'over' sooner-- He just never had the chance but, his men and fellow generals working with him under the 'surpreme' commanders were confident in him.
General Wesley Merritt, who took over General John Buford's command after his premature death; had a good learning curve; Graduated West Point 1860, cavalry duty. War Service February 1862 Capt. in 2nd US Cavalry, aide to Gen. Cooke and later Stoneman, commanded reserve brigade in Stoneman's raid at the time of Chancellorsville, June 1863 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers, commanded Reserve Bde/1st Divn/Cavalry Corps in Gettysburg campaign, served in the Army of the Potomac for the remainder of the war, April 1865 promoted Maj. Gen. of Volunteers, second in command to Sheridan in Appomattox campaign, served as a commissioner of the surrender at Appomattox.
Brevet Promotions Maj. Gen. U.S.V. October 19 1864, Brig. Gen. U.S.A. March 13 1865, Maj. Gen. U.S.A. March 13 1865. Post War Career Army service, Indian fighter, superintendent of West Point, commanded first Philippine Expedition of 1898, retired 1900. Notes A modest but successful cavalry leader. He is one of those who 'sneaks' by any recognition and easy to be forgotten.
General N. A. Miles; another non-assuming Generals with a very high learning curve; Store clerk in Miles' pre war days. His War Service September 1861 1st Lt. in 22nd Massachusetts, served on Howard's staff in Peninsula campaign, Seven Pines (w), Lt. Col. of 61st New York, Antietam, September 1862 Col., Fredericksburg (w), Chancellorsville (w) - Medal of Honor, commanded 1st Bde/1st Divn/II Corps at Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, May 1864 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers, Petersburg (w), commanded 1st Divn/II Corps in the Appomattox campaign, October 1865 promoted Maj. Gen. of Volunteers.
Brevet Promotions Brig. Gen. U.S.A. March 2 1867, Maj. Gen. U.S.A. March 2 1867. Post War Career Army service, Indian fighter, commander in chief of the army, retired 1903, author. Notes He was the last surviving full-rank Major General from the Civil War. He was also in charge of guarding ex President Johnson (CSA). Being on staff no doubt helped him learn the administrative side as well as the leadership side.
General Philip Sheridan,Graduated West Point 1853 (after one year's suspension for chasing a cadet officer with a bayonet), frontier duty, Indian fighter. War Service 1861 Capt. in 13th US Infantry, quartermaster for Halleck's force at Corinth, Col. of 2nd Michigan Cavalry, Booneville, July 1862 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers, commanded 11th Divn/Army of the Ohio at Perryville, commanded 3rd Divn/XVI Corps at Stone's River, December 1862 promoted Maj. Gen. of Volunteers, commanded 3rd Divn/XX Corps at Chickamauga, commanded 2nd Divn/IV Corps at Missionary Ridge, commanded Cavalry of Army of the Potomac in Overland campaign, Richmond raid, Yellow Tavern, conducted the Shenandoah Valley campaign, Third Winchester, September 1864 promoted Brig. Gen. in Regular Army, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, November 1864 promoted Maj. Gen. in Regular Army, Appomattox campaign, Five Forks. Post War Career Army service, commanded the Military Division of the Gulf, commanded Fifth Military District, succeeded Sherman as commander-in-chief, author.
Notes A fierce fighter - one of the top Union generals and a good leader.
General William Tecumseh Sherman, Graduated West Point 1840, artillery duty, travelled widely in the South, Mexican war, served in Pacific Division, resigned US Army 1853, banker, lawyer, realtor, superintendent of a Louisiana military academy. War Service May 1861 Col. of 13th US Infantry, May 1861 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers, commanded a brigade at First Bull Run, served in Kentucky but was relieved because of instability, commanded Dist of Cairo, commanded 5th Divn/Army of the Tennessee at Shiloh (w), May 1862 promoted Maj. Gen. of Volunteers, Chickasaw Bluffs, Arkansas Post, commanded XV Corps in Vicksburg campaign, July 1863 promoted Brig. Gen. Regular Army, Missionary Ridge, commanded Divn of the Mississippi, Red River campaign, Meridien campaign, Atlanta campaign, August 1864 promoted Maj. Gen. in Regular Army, March to the Sea, Carolinas campaign. Post War Career Army service, commanded the Division of the Mississippi, Indian campaigns, general-in-chief after Grant's election to the presidency, retired 1883, author. Notes A fierce commander, hated in the South but had a vision of modern war. The hate was well founded but, necessary in choking off the food and supplies to the enemy army. Brilliant in that respects. But, being moody and impatient; he did ruin General Warren's career and the opinion supported by a court of inquiry, that Warren was unjustly censored.
General George "Pap" Thomas; Graduated West Point 1840, served in the artillery, Seminole war, Mexican war, instructor in Cavalry and Artillery at West Point, frontier duty in the 2nd US Cavalry. War Service April 1861 Lt. Col. of 2nd US Cavalry, May 1861 Col., August 1861 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers, commanded 1st Divn/Army of the Ohio at Mill Springs, Shiloh, advance on Corinth, second in command of Army of the Ohio at Perryville, April 1862 promoted Maj. Gen. of Volunteers, commanded Center Divn/XIV Corps at Stones River, commanded XIV Corps (mightily) at Chickamauga, October 1863 promoted Brig. Gen. in Regular Army, commanded Army of the Cumberland at Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta campaign, Nashville, December 1864 promoted Maj. Gen. in Regular Army. Post War Career Army service, commanded Division of the Pacific. Notes Despite Grant's poor opinion of him and general suspicion of his Southern sympathies, he was a fine commander and great leader.
In summary, all these Generals have different histories, backgrounds; to which survied the Civil War. Some had military training and experiences prior to the Civil War--some did not. But, these individuals did a successful learning curve to be great commanders in their own right. There are many generals, to whom we'll never know how wonderful they would be as commanders--like General John Reynolds being killed at Gettysburg, the many Generals that were assigned to less 'visible' theaters per se, e.g. midwest, southern or extreme northern assignments.
Just some thoughts.
Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf
Except for General Winfield Scott, now infirmed by age, there was no officer in either army, trained in command or experience to lead a large body of military forces.
The following were all West Point graduates, spent some years as U.S. Army officers, fought in the Mexican War, but still had deficits in whether they could command large armies. They all had served in an exceedingly small army, that was spread over the U.S. and its territories.
Winfield Scott Hancock. Gained good experience as a quartermaster officer.
Braxton Bragg was an artillery officer for a U.S. Army with small artillery units, until resigning in 1856.
James Longstreet was an Army paymaster in Texas.
Robert E. Lee spent nearly his entire army career as an engineer, except for two years, in the cavalry, in the late 1850's.
Since even West Pointers had such meagre experience commanding, it is not surprising that civilian officers like Bedford Forest, John B. Gordon, John A. Logan, and Benjamin Grierson never rose to commands that really matched their abilities. "Diamonds in the rough" had a hard and difficult time getting commands that they received.
***
Civil War Harper's Weekly, May 24, 1862
BRIGADIER-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT HANCOCK
"...the position of regimental quarter-master, after which he became regimental adjutant of the Sixth United States infantry. In January, 1853, he was promoted to a full first lieutenancy; and on the 7th of November, 1855, was appointed an assistant quarter-master in the Quarter-master General's Department, with the rank of captain. This position he held at the breaking out of the rebellion in 1861, and still holds that rank in the regular army of the United States."
***
Braxton Bragg
"In 1856 he resigned his captaincy-he was a lieutenant colonel by brevet-in the 3rd Artillery and became a Louisiana planter."
*** http://www.civilwarhome.com/leebio.htm
Robert Edward Lee
"Upon his 1829 graduation he was posted to the engineers. Before the Mexican War he served on engineering projects in Georgia, Virginia, and New York. During the war he served on the staffs of John Wool and Winfield Scott. Particularly distinguishing himself scouting for and guiding troops, he won three brevets and was slightly wounded at Chapultepec.
Following a stint in Baltimore Harbor he became superintendent of the military academy in 1852. When the mounted arm was expanded in 1855, Lee accepted the lieutenant colonelcy of the 2nd Cavalry in order to escape from the painfully slow promotion in the engineers. Ordered to western Texas, he served with his regiment until the 1857 death of his father-in-law forced him to ask for a series of leaves to settle the estate."
James Longstreet
"After the war[Mexican War] and his recovery from the Chapultepec wound, Longstreet and his new wife served on frontier duty in Texas, primarily at Fort Bliss. He performed scouting missions and also served as major and paymaster for the 8th Infantry from July 1858."
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