Assessing Lee's Division Commanders

[Wizard of Cozz]

There has been some talk in other threads on how Lee's division commanders had done, so I thought I'd post this. If I were to assess them from 1-5 1 being the worst and 5 being the best, this is how I'd do it. I'm going to start with the 2nd Manassas Campaign and all division commanders who served from that point forward. I'm giving the option of giving .5 in the ranking to give a little more nuance. All of this is more off the top of my head, so I may adjust to later comments.

Richard Anderson - 3.5* Very Solid Division commander. No real outstanding achievements. His worst moment is probably at Gettysburg where he shows little guidance over his command. He always fought well under Longstreet.

David R. Jones - 3*/NA - Seemed solid, did solid work during 2nd Manassas and Antietam, health became a issue and he stepped down.

Cadmus Wilcox - 3* - Another solid, though not spectacular commander. Doesn't have a lot of achievements per se, but also not a lot of mistakes, was very good throughout most of overland campaign and Petersburg.

John B. Hood - 5* - One of the best division commanders in either army. His command was always near the best and he always had a firm grasp on his command up until his injury. Even at Chickamauga where he commanded a corps, that was the equivalent to a very large division, he always got all his troops into the fight.

James Kemper - N/A - doesn't have enough record to show what he could do IMO.

William Taliaferro - 1* - Not fit for division command, never had a firm grasp on his brigades, and on top of that was not well liked either.

A.P. Hill - 5* The other 5* commander in Lee's army imo. His division like Hood's was both the premier fighting outfit. Hill always got his brigades into the fight and handled them well. It's not surprise that at Petersburg where Hill handled actions of 6-7 brigaders he perfromed back to his usual standards.

Richard Ewell - 3.5* Another solid if not spectacular commander. Did graet i the valley under Jackson, performed well during 2nd Manassas until his injury. Was very well liked by his men.

Lafayette McLaws - 3.5* I don't find him to be tactically brilliant by any means, but organizationally he was outstanding. His one of the best outfits in Lee's army, he was blessed with some of the best brigade commanders in the army. I could probably be persuaded to move him to a 4*.

John G. Walker - 3* solid division commander, who went out west and gave great service with his Walker's Greyhounds. Never really had much opportunity to shine in Lee's army.

Alexander Lawton - N/A was injured in his first chance to command a division.

Jubal Early - 4.5* another outstanding divsion commander. I give him slight faults, because he could be hard to deal with, and was quick to cast blame on others. As a fighting commander he was as good as any in the army.

John R. Jones - 1* He and Taliaferro are probably the two worst division commanders Lee had. He was charged with cowardice in two straight battles.

D.H. Hill - 3.5* He had the ability to be one of the best fighting commanders in Lee's army, unfortunately he had the personality of a rattlesnake. Extremely difficult to get along with. His back and forth with Lee when he commanded in North Carolina, ensured he'd never command in Lee's army again.

George Pickett - 2* Not sure he was ever a competant division commander, though he was better than Taliaferro and Jones. I don't fault him for his performance at Gettysburg, but he was gone at Five Forks, and never displayed any real talented performances.

Robert Ransom Jr. - 3* The empitome of an average CSA General. Nothing spectacular, but also nothing bad. His performances outside of Lee's army were also solid. Lee was considering him for possible division command when forming 3rd Corps, but Lee's spat with D.H. Hill ensured that Ransom's troops wouldn't be with Lee's army.

Robert Rodes - 4.5* -Outside of Gettysburg his first chance at Command, I'd argue that Rodes during the Overland was one of Lee's best commanders. His men always fought well, and were well led. His death was a terrible loss to the Confederacy during the 64' Shenandoah campaign. Rhea speaks highly of Rodes throughout his books.

Dorsey Pender - 3.5* - I want to rank him higher, but unfortunately there is not enough evidence to go off of. I think theoretically he had a chance to be one of Lee's best. In his first chance at command, he drives the Federal I. Corps off of Seminary ridge though he doens't necessarily have a firm hand on the division yet. Lane's brigade gets pulled away during the fight looking for phantom cavalry. Pender seemed to be preparing his entire command to go into action when he is mortally wounded on Day 2.

Raliegh Colston - 2* - Colston's command was sluggish during the Battle of Chancellorsville, and while Jackson didn't find major fault with him, Lee transferrred him out after the battle. Not good, but not grossly incompetent as some others.

Edward Johnson - 3* - Another example of a solid dependable, average, CSA Division commander. His division could always be counted on, though there is no evidence of really any spectacular successes.

Henry Heth - 3-4* - Heth was not good in 1863, but by the 1864 he was solid, and at Petersburg, he was one of the best division commanders in the army. HE continually improved as the war went on.

Harry Hays - N/A - Commanded a division during Mine Run, not much evidence to judge him.

Joseph Kershaw - 3.5* - Another very dependable commander. Was very good throughout 1864 and 1865. Extremley well liked by his men, he continued to run on of the best outfits in the army. One of Lee's most reliable commanders.

Charles Field - 3.5* - His unit was the largest in the army at the surrender at Appomattox with nearly 5K men, which shows that he handled his men well throughout the campaign, it'ls also a testament to his leadership that after the Jenkins/Law debacle the division regains it's old stature quickly as soon as he assumes command.

William Mahone - 5* - Turned the Peter principle on it's head. Was a average brigade commander at best, as a division commander he was Lee's best from Petersburg on. His division acted as a fire brigade being called upon to stop breakthroughs. Plenty of outstanding successes from the Crater - through many of the Petersburg assaults. Also has one of the best quotes about him, when his wife is informed that Mahone has a flesh wound, she notes it's serious because her husband has not much flesh. He was 5-6 and barely 100 lbs. due to his dyspepsia.

John B. Gordon - 5* - another commander who got better as he got promoted. Was very good in division command. It was his plan at Cedar Creek that caught Sheridan napping.

Stephen D. Ramseur - 2.5* - A overhyped division commander, solid brigade commander, he was not great at Bethesda Church or at Rutherford's farm. Was killed leading his men at Cedar Creek.

John C. Breckinridge - 3.5* - Solid Commander who doesn't have a lot of mistakes and did well at New Market, was solid at Chickamauga as well. Performed his best work as Secretary of War in 1865.

Robert F. Hoke - 3* - Another solid but not spectacular commander. One of the youngest division commanders during the war.

Bushrod Johnson - 3.5* - Performed very well during Chickamauga, was solid throughout most of the Petersburg campaign.

Gabriel Wharton - 2* - Commanded a burnt out shell of a division, which did not have much success.

John Pegram - 3* - was not good in the West, gave solid service throughout the Valley Campaign of 64' and in Petersburg till he is killed.

Clement Evans - 3*/NA - Was solid throughout Peterburg, though not much evidence say whether he would of went up or down the rankings.

Bryan Grimes - 3*/NA - Another commander who fought in the trenches at Petersburg, one of the last commanders promoted to Major General. He gave solid performances in less than ideal conditions. Noted for his heroism and bravery.

James A. Walker - 3*/NA - Same as the other three, I consider them average, but could also just go N/A, as it was hard to rate them this late into the war.

 

[RedRover]

Richard H. Anderson commanded a corps in the Army of Northern Virginia throughout the last year of the war. I would take that to mean he was among the best subordinates General Lee had, including division command. I think he'd get 5 stars out of five as a division commander by that standard.

He was given command of the first corps after Gen. Longstreet was wounded at the Wilderness. In October he was given command of the new fourth corps of the army.

 

[Wizard of Cozz]

Richard H. Anderson commanded a corps in the Army of Northern Virginia throughout the last year of the war. I would take that to mean he was among the best subordinates General Lee had, including division command. I think he'd get 5 stars out of five as a division commander by that standard.

He was given command of the first corps after Gen. Longstreet was wounded at the Wilderness. In October he was given command of the new fourth corps of the army.

View attachment 542441

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Just because he was promoted doesn't mean he's say better at his position than others. Under that logic, Mahone was promoted to division command in Anderson's stead, but there is no one who will tell you that Mahone was an outstanding brigade commander. Anderson was promoted because he was solid and dependable, and because he had seniority over others. At the time there was only Early who had the experience to take command of the Corps, but Anderson had served in Longstreet's corps, and had seniority over Early, so there was little chance of Early jumping Anderson. Lee typically liked to promote from within the unit, though he wasn't afraid not to promote people if he didn't feel they were up to the task. If you have actual evidence of his performances on the battlefield to rank him higher, feel free to do so.

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

There has been some talk in other threads on how Lee's division commanders had done, so I thought I'd post this. If I were to assess them from 1-5 1 being the worst and 5 being the best, this is how I'd do it. I'm going to start with the 2nd Manassas Campaign and all division commanders who served from that point forward. I'm giving the option of giving .5 in the ranking to give a little more nuance. All of this is more off the top of my head, so I may adjust to later comments.

Richard Anderson - 3.5* Very Solid Division commander. No real outstanding achievements. His worst moment is probably at Gettysburg where he shows little guidance over his command. He always fought well under Longstreet.

David R. Jones - 3*/NA - Seemed solid, did solid work during 2nd Manassas and Antietam, health became a issue and he stepped down.

Cadmus Wilcox - 3* - Another solid, though not spectacular commander. Doesn't have a lot of achievements per se, but also not a lot of mistakes, was very good throughout most of overland campaign and Petersburg.

John B. Hood - 5* - One of the best division commanders in either army. His command was always near the best and he always had a firm grasp on his command up until his injury. Even at Chickamauga where he commanded a corps, that was the equivalent to a very large division, he always got all his troops into the fight.

James Kemper - N/A - doesn't have enough record to show what he could do IMO.

William Taliaferro - 1* - Not fit for division command, never had a firm grasp on his brigades, and on top of that was not well liked either.

A.P. Hill - 5* The other 5* commander in Lee's army imo. His division like Hood's was both the premier fighting outfit. Hill always got his brigades into the fight and handled them well. It's not surprise that at Petersburg where Hill handled actions of 6-7 brigaders he perfromed back to his usual standards.

Richard Ewell - 3.5* Another solid if not spectacular commander. Did graet i the valley under Jackson, performed well during 2nd Manassas until his injury. Was very well liked by his men.

Lafayette McLaws - 3.5* I don't find him to be tactically brilliant by any means, but organizationally he was outstanding. His one of the best outfits in Lee's army, he was blessed with some of the best brigade commanders in the army. I could probably be persuaded to move him to a 4*.

John G. Walker - 3* solid division commander, who went out west and gave great service with his Walker's Greyhounds. Never really had much opportunity to shine in Lee's army.

Alexander Lawton - N/A was injured in his first chance to command a division.

Jubal Early - 4.5* another outstanding divsion commander. I give him slight faults, because he could be hard to deal with, and was quick to cast blame on others. As a fighting commander he was as good as any in the army.

John R. Jones - 1* He and Taliaferro are probably the two worst division commanders Lee had. He was charged with cowardice in two straight battles.

D.H. Hill - 3.5* He had the ability to be one of the best fighting commanders in Lee's army, unfortunately he had the personality of a rattlesnake. Extremely difficult to get along with. His back and forth with Lee when he commanded in North Carolina, ensured he'd never command in Lee's army again.

George Pickett - 2* Not sure he was ever a competant division commander, though he was better than Taliaferro and Jones. I don't fault him for his performance at Gettysburg, but he was gone at Five Forks, and never displayed any real talented performances.

Robert Ransom Jr. - 3* The empitome of an average CSA General. Nothing spectacular, but also nothing bad. His performances outside of Lee's army were also solid. Lee was considering him for possible division command when forming 3rd Corps, but Lee's spat with D.H. Hill ensured that Ransom's troops wouldn't be with Lee's army.

Robert Rodes - 4.5* -Outside of Gettysburg his first chance at Command, I'd argue that Rodes during the Overland was one of Lee's best commanders. His men always fought well, and were well led. His death was a terrible loss to the Confederacy during the 64' Shenandoah campaign. Rhea speaks highly of Rodes throughout his books.

Dorsey Pender - 3.5* - I want to rank him higher, but unfortunately there is not enough evidence to go off of. I think theoretically he had a chance to be one of Lee's best. In his first chance at command, he drives the Federal I. Corps off of Seminary ridge though he doens't necessarily have a firm hand on the division yet. Lane's brigade gets pulled away during the fight looking for phantom cavalry. Pender seemed to be preparing his entire command to go into action when he is mortally wounded on Day 2.

Raliegh Colston - 2* - Colston's command was sluggish during the Battle of Chancellorsville, and while Jackson didn't find major fault with him, Lee transferrred him out after the battle. Not good, but not grossly incompetent as some others.

Edward Johnson - 3* - Another example of a solid dependable, average, CSA Division commander. His division could always be counted on, though there is no evidence of really any spectacular successes.

Henry Heth - 3-4* - Heth was not good in 1863, but by the 1864 he was solid, and at Petersburg, he was one of the best division commanders in the army. HE continually improved as the war went on.

Harry Hays - N/A - Commanded a division during Mine Run, not much evidence to judge him.

Joseph Kershaw - 3.5* - Another very dependable commander. Was very good throughout 1864 and 1865. Extremley well liked by his men, he continued to run on of the best outfits in the army. One of Lee's most reliable commanders.

Charles Field - 3.5* - His unit was the largest in the army at the surrender at Appomattox with nearly 5K men, which shows that he handled his men well throughout the campaign, it'ls also a testament to his leadership that after the Jenkins/Law debacle the division regains it's old stature quickly as soon as he assumes command.

William Mahone - 5* - Turned the Peter principle on it's head. Was a average brigade commander at best, as a division commander he was Lee's best from Petersburg on. His division acted as a fire brigade being called upon to stop breakthroughs. Plenty of outstanding successes from the Crater - through many of the Petersburg assaults. Also has one of the best quotes about him, when his wife is informed that Mahone has a flesh wound, she notes it's serious because her husband has not much flesh. He was 5-6 and barely 100 lbs. due to his dyspepsia.

John B. Gordon - 5* - another commander who got better as he got promoted. Was very good in division command. It was his plan at Cedar Creek that caught Sheridan napping.

Stephen D. Ramseur - 2.5* - A overhyped division commander, solid brigade commander, he was not great at Bethesda Church or at Rutherford's farm. Was killed leading his men at Cedar Creek.

John C. Breckinridge - 3.5* - Solid Commander who doesn't have a lot of mistakes and did well at New Market, was solid at Chickamauga as well. Performed his best work as Secretary of War in 1865.

Robert F. Hoke - 3* - Another solid but not spectacular commander. One of the youngest division commanders during the war.

Bushrod Johnson - 3.5* - Performed very well during Chickamauga, was solid throughout most of the Petersburg campaign.

Gabriel Wharton - 2* - Commanded a burnt out shell of a division, which did not have much success.

John Pegram - 3* - was not good in the West, gave solid service throughout the Valley Campaign of 64' and in Petersburg till he is killed.

Clement Evans - 3*/NA - Was solid throughout Peterburg, though not much evidence say whether he would of went up or down the rankings.

Bryan Grimes - 3*/NA - Another commander who fought in the trenches at Petersburg, one of the last commanders promoted to Major General. He gave solid performances in less than ideal conditions. Noted for his heroism and bravery.

James A. Walker - 3*/NA - Same as the other three, I consider them average, but could also just go N/A, as it was hard to rate them this late into the war.

Excellent idea for a discussion thread, @Wizard of Cozz. I will look closer at your initial comments, most of which appear to be astute.

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

I can already say that I think you hit the nail on the head with a 5 ranking for John Brown Gordon. I also regard him as one of Lee's top generals.

 

[JeffBrooks]

Despite Rutherford's Farm, I might bump Stephen D. Ramseur to a 3.0, given his performance at Third Winchester. Massively outnumbered, he holds back the main Union advance long enough for Gordon and Rodes to arrive, then is able to reform his division and participate in the counter attack, then manages to make a spectacular defensive stand at the end of the day. And as a brigade commander, he performed very well at Chancellorsville. I would place him at least on the same level as Hoke or Edward Johnson.

 

[Wizard of Cozz]

I can already say that I think you hit the nail on the head with a 5 ranking for John Brown Gordon. I also regard him as one of Lee's top generals.

What I find interesting was the number of solid division commadners Lee had, even by the time of Appomatox campaign, Lee's army at the Corps and Divisional command was still quite strong! Longstreet and Gordon at corps command, while Kershaw,Fields, Mahone, Wilcox, Heth, were all still quite proven and reliable, and that's no knock on Grimes, Walker, or Evans, the poor II Corps was in such wretched shape numbers wise following Spotsylvania. None of those three did anything IMO to knock their choices to those command, even if they were made out of necessity.

 

[Wizard of Cozz]

Despite Rutherford's Farm, I might bump Stephen D. Ramseur to a 3.0, given his performance at Third Winchester. Massively outnumbered, he holds back the main Union advance long enough for Gordon and Rodes to arrive, then is able to reform his division and participate in the counter attack, then manages to make a spectacular defensive stand at the end of the day. And as a brigade commander, he performed very well at Chancellorsville. I would place him at least on the same level as Hoke or Edward Johnson.

That's maybe fair, and Ramseur was new to commanding a division which often times took time to adjust to.

 

[Luke Freet]

Despite Rutherford's Farm, I might bump Stephen D. Ramseur to a 3.0, given his performance at Third Winchester. Massively outnumbered, he holds back the main Union advance long enough for Gordon and Rodes to arrive, then is able to reform his division and participate in the counter attack, then manages to make a spectacular defensive stand at the end of the day. And as a brigade commander, he performed very well at Chancellorsville. I would place him at least on the same level as Hoke or Edward Johnson.

You may have a point on 3rd Winchester...
However, reading Wert's book, his performance at Cedar Creek may have lost Early & Gordon that battle. His troops were stalled out against Gettys' Division, the last Union force that hadn't be routed off the field by that point, and Ramseur convinced Early to commit Wharton's Division, which was supposed to move up the pike to get into the Union rear, to the fight against Getty. Wert believes this more than Early's halt as the deciding point of the battle.
While as a brigadier he was excellent, he's more in line with Hood, in that he's hyperaggressive, a great trait for a brigade commander but a dangerous element for a division commander. (Tbh I wouldn't put Hood at a 5 myself, more of a 4 in my view).

Just because he was promoted doesn't mean he's say better at his position than others. Under that logic, Mahone was promoted to division command in Anderson's stead, but there is no one who will tell you that Mahone was an outstanding brigade commander. Anderson was promoted because he was solid and dependable, and because he had seniority over others. At the time there was only Early who had the experience to take command of the Corps, but Anderson had served in Longstreet's corps, and had seniority over Early, so there was little chance of Early jumping Anderson. Lee typically liked to promote from within the unit, though he wasn't afraid not to promote people if he didn't feel they were up to the task. If you have actual evidence of his performances on the battlefield to rank him higher, feel free to do so.

Adding to this: Anderson was selected by Lee, who had been also been considering Early & Ed Johnson, on the advice of Moxley Sorrel, Longstreet's excellent chief of staff. Anderson was well known in the corps, had commanded Jenkins' Brigade before being elevated to command Longstreet's old Division, and had been Longstreet's right hand man for much of 1862. Thus Anderson's appointment to command First Corps was more favoritism than talent. Think Anderson's high point was Second Manassas, and after that not much else. He did fine as a corps commander around Spotsylvania, but afterwards performed poorly at Bethesda Church, in the Shenandoah & at Fort Harrison.
Anderson was given command of Fourth Corps once Longstreet returned, likely because while Anderson wasn't good, he wasn't terrible, and Mahone was officially made commander of Anderson's Division so couldn't be reverted to a division command, so he was given Beauregard's troops when Beauregard left for the West again.

 

[ETNConfederate]

Respectfully suggest you're under rating General Early.

He excelled in virtually every assignment he was given. Turned First Bull Run/Manassas into a rout. While Yorktown was a wash, he was good in the Fall of 1862 and across the Potomac.

Plugged the hole in Jackson's lines at Fredricksburg, and facilitated Chancellorsville at Second Fredricksburg. Key at 2nd Winchester.

He basically went wherever he wanted whenever he wanted on the First Day at Gettysburg. Dr. Freeman called Gettysburg, "1862 Redux," and that's a fair take. Confederates didn't support each other, thus the disjointed nature of much of the battle.

Early commanded 2/3 of the ANV during the Overland Campaign, and his Valley Campaign has been called "the most brilliant of the War." 75 battles and skirmishes, ended the careers of three US Generals, and defeated three US armies (one twice.) He fought Phillip Sheridan to a virtual standstill twice and took Confederates closer to the US Capitol than any major US commander got to Richmond while it was defended.

He *might* not have been the best. If there's an ANV division commander with a more compelling portfolio than THAT, I'd like to know who it might be.

 

[Stryker65]

@Wizard of Cozz my rankings are based on five main categories:
1) Good for division and corps: D. R. Jones, W. D. Pender, J. B. Gordon, J. G. Walker, J. C. Breckinridge, A. P. Hill, D. H. Hill, and R. S. Ewell (before 2nd Manassas)
2) Good for division, but not for corps: R. H. Anderson, C. M. Wilcox, J. B. Hood, R. S. Ewell (after 2nd Manassas), J. A. Early, G. E. Pickett (after Gettysburg), R. Ransom, J. B. Kershaw, W. Mahone, R. F. Hoke, R. Rodes, E. Johnson, S. D. Ramseur, H. Heth, B. Grimes, and W. E. Starke (not mentioned)
3) Better for brigade: H. T. Hays, C. W. Field, B. Johnson, J. L. Kemper, A. Lawton, G. C. Wharton, J. Pegram, J. A. Walker, C. A. Evans, and R. L. Colston
4) Better for non-field duties: G. E. Pickett (after Gettysburg), L. McLaws
5) Bad: W. B. Taliaferro, J. R. Jones

My main point here is that Ewell and Pickett each had one major event that changed their style of generalship. Ewell had 2nd Manassas, and Pickett had Gettysburg. Before the battle, both were more aggressive commanders; afterwards, they weren't.

 

[51st Georgia]

I keep waiting for a really good biography of Kershaw. Seems to have been in the thick of it enough to warrant his own study

 

[Wizard of Cozz]

While as a brigadier he was excellent, he's more in line with Hood, in that he's hyperaggressive, a great trait for a brigade commander but a dangerous element for a division commander. (Tbh I wouldn't put Hood at a 5 myself, more of a 4 in my view).

Do you have a battle, you considering, where he was in command of a division where he didn't perform well?

2nd Manassas - He spearheads a devastating assault on the Union position.

Antietam - It is Hood who comes to Jackson's rescue, and while casualties are high, his attack, saves Jackson's position, and Jackson recommends him to rank of Major General.

Fredericksburg - Not seriously engaged

Chancellorsville - Not there.

Gettysburg - he is wounded early, but his division gives a devastating attack, I'd argue his wounding was 2nd only to Pender's mortal wounding in hampering CSA operations at the battle.

Chickamauga, while he is technically in Corps command, both of his attacks are well timed and well executed.

It's hard to knock him when he doesn't have any poor performances under his belt IMO.

If the argument is he took heavy casualties, it's out of his control that he was called upon to make a desparate attack at Antietam, or that his division was always called upon to be in the thickest of the fighting.

 

[Wizard of Cozz]

I keep waiting for a really good biography of Kershaw. Seems to have been in the thick of it enough to warrant his own study

I would order that in a heartbeat, he is one of my favorite officers to read about!

 

[Wizard of Cozz]

@Wizard of Cozz my rankings are based on five main categories:
1) Good for division and corps: D. R. Jones, W. D. Pender, J. B. Gordon, J. G. Walker, J. C. Breckinridge, A. P. Hill, D. H. Hill, and R. S. Ewell (before 2nd Manassas)
2) Good for division, but not for corps: R. H. Anderson, C. M. Wilcox, J. B. Hood, R. S. Ewell (after 2nd Manassas), J. A. Early, G. E. Pickett (after Gettysburg), R. Ransom, J. B. Kershaw, W. Mahone, R. F. Hoke, R. Rodes, E. Johnson, S. D. Ramseur, H. Heth, B. Grimes, and W. E. Starke (not mentioned)
3) Better for brigade: H. T. Hays, C. W. Field, B. Johnson, J. L. Kemper, A. Lawton, G. C. Wharton, J. Pegram, J. A. Walker, C. A. Evans, and R. L. Colston
4) Better for non-field duties: G. E. Pickett (after Gettysburg), L. McLaws
5) Bad: W. B. Taliaferro, J. R. Jones

My main point here is that Ewell and Pickett each had one major event that changed their style of generalship. Ewell had 2nd Manassas, and Pickett had Gettysburg. Before the battle, both were more aggressive commanders; afterwards, they weren't.

Definitely different criteria then I was using, but still very interesting nonetheless. I always appreciate your insight. I was thinking more about the evidence we have, and how they performed their duties ONLY at Division command.

Good for Division and Corps - Probably agree with most of this. I'm very high Pender as well. Just don't have real-time experience of him commanding the division. I would actually consider Mahone and Rodes as being able to command a corps IMO. I also think Early and Hood could commadn a corps as well, with the note that this is pre-Chickamauaga injury Hood. I thought Hood performed very well in that battle. Especially after reading Powell's Chickamauga campaign.

Good for Division - I'd place Field in that slot as well. I also agree Bushrod was a better brigade than division commander, but Powell also gives him extremely high marks at the end of the Chickamauaga campaign. I'd also move Ramseur down better for brigade honestly, which hurts me to say, cause I find him a compelling person to read about.

Better for Brigade - Agree with all of this, except for what's noted above.

Hard to get a read on Pickett before Gettysburg, cause his division is never truly engaged to get a good read. As for McLaws, he's so hard to judge. Clearly Lee was not happy after Salem's Church, and YET, McLaws division consistently performs well in almost every battle it fights. I don't think he was as bad as Lee thought, I think Lee let that one battle shade his opinion of McLaws.

 

[Luke Freet]

There has been some talk in other threads on how Lee's division commanders had done, so I thought I'd post this. If I were to assess them from 1-5 1 being the worst and 5 being the best, this is how I'd do it. I'm going to start with the 2nd Manassas Campaign and all division commanders who served from that point forward. I'm giving the option of giving .5 in the ranking to give a little more nuance. All of this is more off the top of my head, so I may adjust to later comments.

Richard Anderson - 3.5* Very Solid Division commander. No real outstanding achievements. His worst moment is probably at Gettysburg where he shows little guidance over his command. He always fought well under Longstreet.

David R. Jones - 3*/NA - Seemed solid, did solid work during 2nd Manassas and Antietam, health became a issue and he stepped down.

Cadmus Wilcox - 3* - Another solid, though not spectacular commander. Doesn't have a lot of achievements per se, but also not a lot of mistakes, was very good throughout most of overland campaign and Petersburg.

John B. Hood - 5* - One of the best division commanders in either army. His command was always near the best and he always had a firm grasp on his command up until his injury. Even at Chickamauga where he commanded a corps, that was the equivalent to a very large division, he always got all his troops into the fight.

James Kemper - N/A - doesn't have enough record to show what he could do IMO.

William Taliaferro - 1* - Not fit for division command, never had a firm grasp on his brigades, and on top of that was not well liked either.

A.P. Hill - 5* The other 5* commander in Lee's army imo. His division like Hood's was both the premier fighting outfit. Hill always got his brigades into the fight and handled them well. It's not surprise that at Petersburg where Hill handled actions of 6-7 brigaders he perfromed back to his usual standards.

Richard Ewell - 3.5* Another solid if not spectacular commander. Did graet i the valley under Jackson, performed well during 2nd Manassas until his injury. Was very well liked by his men.

Lafayette McLaws - 3.5* I don't find him to be tactically brilliant by any means, but organizationally he was outstanding. His one of the best outfits in Lee's army, he was blessed with some of the best brigade commanders in the army. I could probably be persuaded to move him to a 4*.

John G. Walker - 3* solid division commander, who went out west and gave great service with his Walker's Greyhounds. Never really had much opportunity to shine in Lee's army.

Alexander Lawton - N/A was injured in his first chance to command a division.

Jubal Early - 4.5* another outstanding divsion commander. I give him slight faults, because he could be hard to deal with, and was quick to cast blame on others. As a fighting commander he was as good as any in the army.

John R. Jones - 1* He and Taliaferro are probably the two worst division commanders Lee had. He was charged with cowardice in two straight battles.

D.H. Hill - 3.5* He had the ability to be one of the best fighting commanders in Lee's army, unfortunately he had the personality of a rattlesnake. Extremely difficult to get along with. His back and forth with Lee when he commanded in North Carolina, ensured he'd never command in Lee's army again.

George Pickett - 2* Not sure he was ever a competant division commander, though he was better than Taliaferro and Jones. I don't fault him for his performance at Gettysburg, but he was gone at Five Forks, and never displayed any real talented performances.

Robert Ransom Jr. - 3* The empitome of an average CSA General. Nothing spectacular, but also nothing bad. His performances outside of Lee's army were also solid. Lee was considering him for possible division command when forming 3rd Corps, but Lee's spat with D.H. Hill ensured that Ransom's troops wouldn't be with Lee's army.

Robert Rodes - 4.5* -Outside of Gettysburg his first chance at Command, I'd argue that Rodes during the Overland was one of Lee's best commanders. His men always fought well, and were well led. His death was a terrible loss to the Confederacy during the 64' Shenandoah campaign. Rhea speaks highly of Rodes throughout his books.

Dorsey Pender - 3.5* - I want to rank him higher, but unfortunately there is not enough evidence to go off of. I think theoretically he had a chance to be one of Lee's best. In his first chance at command, he drives the Federal I. Corps off of Seminary ridge though he doens't necessarily have a firm hand on the division yet. Lane's brigade gets pulled away during the fight looking for phantom cavalry. Pender seemed to be preparing his entire command to go into action when he is mortally wounded on Day 2.

Raliegh Colston - 2* - Colston's command was sluggish during the Battle of Chancellorsville, and while Jackson didn't find major fault with him, Lee transferrred him out after the battle. Not good, but not grossly incompetent as some others.

Edward Johnson - 3* - Another example of a solid dependable, average, CSA Division commander. His division could always be counted on, though there is no evidence of really any spectacular successes.

Henry Heth - 3-4* - Heth was not good in 1863, but by the 1864 he was solid, and at Petersburg, he was one of the best division commanders in the army. HE continually improved as the war went on.

Harry Hays - N/A - Commanded a division during Mine Run, not much evidence to judge him.

Joseph Kershaw - 3.5* - Another very dependable commander. Was very good throughout 1864 and 1865. Extremley well liked by his men, he continued to run on of the best outfits in the army. One of Lee's most reliable commanders.

Charles Field - 3.5* - His unit was the largest in the army at the surrender at Appomattox with nearly 5K men, which shows that he handled his men well throughout the campaign, it'ls also a testament to his leadership that after the Jenkins/Law debacle the division regains it's old stature quickly as soon as he assumes command.

William Mahone - 5* - Turned the Peter principle on it's head. Was a average brigade commander at best, as a division commander he was Lee's best from Petersburg on. His division acted as a fire brigade being called upon to stop breakthroughs. Plenty of outstanding successes from the Crater - through many of the Petersburg assaults. Also has one of the best quotes about him, when his wife is informed that Mahone has a flesh wound, she notes it's serious because her husband has not much flesh. He was 5-6 and barely 100 lbs. due to his dyspepsia.

John B. Gordon - 5* - another commander who got better as he got promoted. Was very good in division command. It was his plan at Cedar Creek that caught Sheridan napping.

Stephen D. Ramseur - 2.5* - A overhyped division commander, solid brigade commander, he was not great at Bethesda Church or at Rutherford's farm. Was killed leading his men at Cedar Creek.

John C. Breckinridge - 3.5* - Solid Commander who doesn't have a lot of mistakes and did well at New Market, was solid at Chickamauga as well. Performed his best work as Secretary of War in 1865.

Robert F. Hoke - 3* - Another solid but not spectacular commander. One of the youngest division commanders during the war.

Bushrod Johnson - 3.5* - Performed very well during Chickamauga, was solid throughout most of the Petersburg campaign.

Gabriel Wharton - 2* - Commanded a burnt out shell of a division, which did not have much success.

John Pegram - 3* - was not good in the West, gave solid service throughout the Valley Campaign of 64' and in Petersburg till he is killed.

Clement Evans - 3*/NA - Was solid throughout Peterburg, though not much evidence say whether he would of went up or down the rankings.

Bryan Grimes - 3*/NA - Another commander who fought in the trenches at Petersburg, one of the last commanders promoted to Major General. He gave solid performances in less than ideal conditions. Noted for his heroism and bravery.

James A. Walker - 3*/NA - Same as the other three, I consider them average, but could also just go N/A, as it was hard to rate them this late into the war.

I'm guessing you're starting this from Second Manassas. I'll leave out guys who were only really temporary appointments:

• R. H. Anderson - 2 - Did well at Second Manassas...after that, mediocre or poor performances abound. He was a non-entity at Gettysburg. He gets promoted to corps command because he was Longstreet's 2nd-in-Command back in 1862 and he had the favor of the officers of Longstreet's Corps.
• D. R. Jones - 2.5 - Not great not terrible. I don't have much to really go on, he didn't seem to be that much of a loss to the army when he passed.
• John Bell Hood - 4.5 - His 1862 record is excellent though I'd say it came at a heavy cost. His 1863 record was spotty at best; he was wounded early on in the fight at Gettysburg. Not sold on him being a 5.
• A. P. Hill - 5 - Indisputably one of the best division commanders for Lee's army during the war. Did the lions share of the fighting at Second Manassas, rescued Lee at Antietam. He didn't do too hot at Fredericksburg, and was wounded before he really did much at Chancellorsville. If Hill had a flaw, it was that he couldn't get along with any superior who wasn't Lee. He was originally in Longstreet's Wing but was transferred after nearly starting a duel with Old Warhorse. Serving under Jackson, things weren't much better, though more often than not when battle was at hand they worked together well. Him being promoted to Corps command feels like both a reward for excellent service and an oppurtunity to avoid further issues.
• Ewell - 4 - Did great under Jackson in the Valley, and to some extent in the Seven Days. He did fine at Second Manassas before his wounding. One wonders how'd he'd have done if he was healthy for the Maryland Campaign or Chancellorsville, had he been in command rather than Early.
• McLaws - 4 - Solid division commander. If it weren't for Longstreet being petty and a less than satisfactory performance at Salem Church, I'd imagine he'd have gotten Longstreet's Corps rather than Anderson after the Wilderness. Had a reputation for sluggishness, but his division was a hard fighting unit with a good reputation.
• John G. Waler - 3.5 - did well in the Maryland Campaign; honestly did better out west.
• D. H. Hill - 4.5 - I agree with OP, if it weren't for his personality, D. H. would have been tied with A. P. for the title of best division commander in Lee's army. Sadly, D. H. just couldn't get along with Lee or Bragg or Davis (he did with Beauregard, and he likely would have gotten Bushrod Johnson's Division had it not been for his pouting). Even in 1865, he stunned leading Lee's Corps (then the size of a smaller division) at Bentonville. Seriously, this guy was his own worst enemy.
• Jubal Early - 4 - I'm honestly more impressed by Early in the valley than as a division commander. That said, he wasn't a mediocrity, far from it. Fredericksburg, Salem Church, Gettysburg, he does an excellent job in most of these battles. If he has a low point, it has to be Rappahannock Bridge, where two of his brigades were left on the wrong side of a river and destroyed.
• George Pickett - 1.5 - May be the lowest ranked officer on this list. He's promoted mainly because he's Longstreet's guy. He doesn't do much until Gettysburg, though he did a fine job there given the circumstances. In the Carolinas he was awful, botching an attack on New Bern. He did fine work organizing things in Petersburg when Butler landed at Bermuda Hundred, but overwork forced him to take sick when Beauregard made his fight at Drewry's Bluff. He didn't do great at Bethesda Church, failing to support Early's attack (though that was botched as is by another commander we'll get to later). He does fine at Cold Harbor, and probably his finest moment was helping reseal the Howlett Line during the Second Battle of Petersburg. Throughout the rest of 1864, his division, which swelled with recruits, remained on the Howlett Line, Lee never utilizing him for much beyond calling upon detachments to reinforce other fronts. But of course, you then get him commanding a task force to halt Sheridan at the end of March, culminating in the disaster at Five Forks, a disaster which could have been avoided if he hadn't gone off to that fish fry.
• Robert Ransom - 2 - Did fine at Fredericksburg...but then in 1864 the dude just kinda sucks. Didn't do well at Drewry's Bluff, getting sidelined by Beauregard for his lack of ability to control his division (that said his men did do good work at the battle, just not him). He gets sent to command cavalry in the valley, which he isn't really good at. After that, nothing for the rest of the war. Not a disaster artist like Pickett or other officers but not necessarily good.
• Taliaferro - N/A - I got nothing to say about him. Honestly he's kinda a nothing burger. Jackson didn't like him, but Jackson didn't like a lot of people.
• J. R. Jones - N/A - I really don't know how to assess him. Commanded Jackson's Division during the Antietam Campaign, but it seems a wound sustained commanding the Second Brigade in the Seven Days may have resulted in PTSD; subordinates often accused him of cowardice or of faking serious injuries to leave command duties. He wasn't removed from command until Jackson's death; it seems Jones was to Jackson what Pickett was to Longstreet. Interesting postwar life. Honestly I'd say he's the Kim McQuilken of this list: awful at his job, but can't really find anything to hate about him.
• Robert E. Rodes - 4.5 - One of the more quiet characters on this list but arguably one of the most influential figures in the army. He first implemented the sharpshooter battalion system that would eventually be used across the army by 1864, which gave the rebels one tactical edge over their Union counterparts well into the final stages of the war. As a division commander, he did well at Chancellorsville, but was absolutely abysmal at Gettysburg. He did great in the Overland Campaign, in the Wilderness, Spotsylvania & Cold Harbor. In the valley, he won a minor victory at Cool Springs. He didn't have much of an impact at Third Winchester, as he was killed before his troops were committed to the fight. Of course, his death would open the path for another officer on this list, one who had served under Rodes back in 1861-62.
• Raleigh Colston - 1.5 - Sucked at Chancellorsville. Wasn't supposed to be leading the division, it was supposed to be under Trimble, but Trimble hadn't recovered in time for the battle. Colston would redeem himself in command at First Petersburg, though afterwards his career was a nothing burger.
• Henry Heth - 4 - Heth is one of the weird ones here. He doesn't do too great in 1863 (Gettsyburg, Falling Waters, & Bristoe Station); he's much better in 1864, fighting in the Wilderness and Cold Harbor. However, at Second Reams Station, he takes command from A. P. Hill and coordinates what I consider the most impressive victory of the Army of Northern Virginia. He does well at Boydton Plank Road and Hatcher's Run. Honestly if I were basing his performance off of Second Reams Station alone he'd be 5.5, well above everyone else on this list. Sadly he never really is able to repeat that performance; and honestly, in that case he's in quasi corps command.
• Dorsey Pender - 3 - can't really rank "what could have been"s much higher than a 3, but I get the feeling Pender would have proven his worth had he not been wounded on July 2nd and died in the retreat.
• Edward Johnson - 3.5 - above average division commander. Did well at Gettysburg, Payne's Farm, the Wilderness & Spotsylvania. I'd say the disaster of the Mule Shoe was not his fault but that of Lee, Ewell & Martin L. Smith for not hearing out Johnson's pleas.
• Isaac Trimble - 2 - what a blowhard. Only really on here for Pickett's Charge.
• Cadmus Wilcox - 3.5 - above average division commander. Did ok in the Overland Campaign. He did well at Jericho Mill, though compared to another guy leading a different Third Corps division, he didn't have that much success. Fine in the Wilderness. Didn't do too well at Jerusalem Plank Road, though arguably that's more A. P. Hill's fault for the poor coordination between him and Mahone. Did well under Heth at Second Reams Station and showed himself well at Peebles Farm.
• Joseph Kershaw - 3 - Honestly I find more flawed performanced by Kershaw. He's pretty good in the Wilderness and Spotsylvania, not so much at the North Anna or Cold Harbor, or First Deep Bottom. His time in the valley is a mixed bag. His division loses heavily in small actions, but does great at Cedar Creek, doing much of the heavy lifting that battle. His division gets annihilated at Saylor's Creek, though that situation was rather hopeless.
• Charles W. Field - 4 - honestly Field was a better division commander than Hood, and was a perfect replacement. Did well at the Wilderness & Spotsylvania, helped Pickett seal the Howlett Line, and commanded a provisional corps at Fussell's Mill pretty well, though Lee was rather hands on for that fight. If he had one flaw, he could not get along with Robert Hoke, which reared its head several times in the fall of 1864.
• John Brown Gordon - 4.5 - Half a mind to give him a 5, but thinking about it, I'd say A. P. Hill and Mahone have higher highs. Don't get me wrong, Gordon was great. He first commands a demi-division on May 6th at the Wilderness, rolling up the Union flank late in the day. At Spotsylvania, he was superb in helping seal the breach of the line of the Mule Shoe, getting a permanant star. He did an excellent job at Cold Harbor on June 2nd, helping roll up parts of Union V & IX Corps. In the Valley, he did much of the fighting at Monocacy, supported Breckinridge's attack at Second Kernstown and did good work at Third Winchester. After that point he was practically in corps command for the rest of the war.
• William H. C. Whiting - 1.5 - maybe the only officer to compete with Pickett for the lowest spot on the rankings. I am not familiar enough with his performance in the Seven Days, but considering he was immediately sidelined in favor of Hood, I feel like Lee didn't think of him too highly. Beauregard did, and gave him a crucial role in the Bermuda Hundred Campaign, with the role of striking at Butler's exposed rear and cutting the Union line of retreat. In this he failed spectacularly, allowing Butler to escape; D. H. Hill was there but had no command authority, had he been in command instead, or anyone else of rank, the Battle of Drewry's Bluff would have been a total Union disaster rather than a heavy setback. He was sent back to Wilmington, where he was better served overseeing defensive works as an engineer.
• Robert Hoke - 3 - Hoke...oh Hoke...what to do with Hoke. I've just made a thread on Hoke, link here, where I go over his Confederate career breifly. Won't repeat much here, besides saying he did better elsewhere.
• William Mahone - 5 - A mediocre brigadier, but oh lord, Mahone in command of a division around Petersburg was something to be seen. He took over the division after Anderson, and did well at Spotsylvania & North Anna, but it wasn't until June 22nd 1864 that Mahone turns into arguably the most impressive commander to ever serve in Lee's Army. With three brigades he routs two divisions of Union II Corps in one of the most lopsided victories of the war, only to be one upped by...himself, on August 19th at Globe Tavern, where with three brigades he rolled up the V Corps and captured an entire division and a half. Then of course there's his actions at the Crater, where, with three brigades, he managed to seal the breach in the line (though he'd probably be put on trial today for the actions of his men during this fight). He doesn't do too hot at Boydton Plank Road, and his division was cut up on August 21st at Globe Tavern (though that was more Beauregard's fault for ordering an attack at that point). He doesn't get to see much action in 1865, no real highlights to speak of. Still, he is responsible for three of the most impressive moments of the Army of Northern Virginia around Petersburg.
• John C. Breckinridge - 4.5 - If I were rating him on just his performance at New Market, I'd give him a 5. However, he's notched down by the losses he sustained at Cold Harbor, where he failed to reinforce a position in his line properly, allowing Union troops to make their only breakthrough of the June 3rd assault against his line. Luckily the breach was sealed quickly, but still, not much else to rate him on. Debatably you can attribute his performance at Second Kernstown, where he personally led Wharton's Division in the fighting there that won the day, but I'm going to rate Wharton for that. Still, excellent division commander.
• Stephen Dodson Ramseur - 2 - Excellent brigade commander...poor division commander. At Bethesda Church he sends a single brigade to get cut to ribbons rather than a supported attack. His division gets routed by a union force smaller than him at Rutherford's Farm in one of the most embarassing rebel losses in the Valley. He redeems himself somewhat at Third Winchester, before he's given command of Rodes' Division following the battle. At Fisher's Hill, his division does as best it can when Crook's whole corps falls on their exposed flank and sends the army to rout. At Cedar Creek, he's arguably responsible for the rebel defeat, when he wastes his time and squanders his chance to drive Getty's division off the field before his men are awakened and prepared. He calls upon Early to give him Wharton's Division from the reserve, which ruins any real chance of further success that day. Of course, he would fall at the end of the battle. Honestly, I'd say the guy who replaced him in command of Rodes' Division was a lot better.
• Bushrod Johnson - 3 - Did alright. Not great not terrible. Doesn't really do much after Second Petersburg, though he did fine there. His division mostly holds the line until 1865. After his division lost heavily at Saylor's Creek, he was assigned to Gordon's Corps, where upon Gordon immediately removed him from command for reasons not yet fully understood.
• Gabriel Wharton - 3.5 - commanded Breckinridge's infantyr division in the valley. Did a good job all around given the circumstances. His high point comes at Second Kernstown, when his division, led by Breckinridge personally, turns the Union flank and routs Crook's command from the field. His division is decimated at Third Winchester, does ok at Cedar Creek, before being totally crushed at Waynesboro. He'd be a 3 if not for Second Kernstown, though how much of that is Breckinridge or not is up for debate.
• John Pegram - 2.5 - after returning from his Wilderness wound, Pegram took over Ramseur's Division after Third Winchester, leading it at Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek (where he was one of the few vocal critics of Gordon's plan) and at Hatcher's Run, where he was killed. Honestly, not much to really say about his time in division command.
• Bryan Grimes - 4 - Replaced Ramseur in command of Rodes' Division, and in February 1865 became the last man in the Confederacy promoted to Major General. Grimes led his troops well at Fort Stedman, Third Petersburg and finally at Appomattox, where his men led the last charge of the Army of Northern Virginia. Honestly, for a late war promotion of a guy who less than a year prior was commanding a regiment, Grimes is surprisingly capable.
• Clement A. Evans - 2.5 - Took command of Gordon's Division when Gordon took command of Second Corps. Led the division well at Cedar Creek, but did poorly around Hatcher's Run. Redeemed himself somewhat at Fort Stedman, but otherwise nothing notable. Of course he would be influential in the historiography of the war, but besides that, nothing much to say.
• James A. Walker - 2.5 - took command of Pegram's Division after Pegram's death at Hatcher's Run. Did fine, his division fought well at Fort Stedman and in the retreat from Petersburg, though suffering heavy losses.
• Joseph Finegan - 4 - Led Mahone's Division at Hatcher's Run, where he led a Mahone-esque attack on V Corps on February 6th that routed the Union forces in their front. Great example of a one-hit wonder on this list.

Feel like ranking the cavalry commanders as well:

• J. E. B. Stuart - 4.5 - Maybe you can fault him for things around Brandy Station or in the Gettysburg Campaign, but overall, I cannot find much blemishs on Stuart as a cavalry division commander, and even as a corps commander after Gettysburg.
• Wade Hampton - 4.5 - Hampton may have been Lee's finest cavalry commander, even better than Stuart. Of course, I'd say his time in command of corps-strength forces are more notable to me.
• Fitzhugh Lee - 2 - The more I read on the rebel cavalry, the more I realized how far Fitz Lee's career was carried by Stuart's presense. Because Lee does great under Stuart, but after Stuart is mortally wounded, Lee puts on a dunce cap. He fails to trap Sheridan at Meadows Bridge, gets repulsed at Wilson's Wharf, and struggles to cooperated with Hampton. In the Valley, he's bested at Guard's Hill, and he does alright at Third Winchester before he's wounded trying to stem the tide of Sheridan's horsemen. When he recovers and returns to Petersburg, he becomes Lee's cavalry chief...and causes more trouble.
• Rooney Lee - 4 - Way better than his cousin. Rooney Lee's Division remains a large and potent force for most of 1864 and even into 1865 so he's excellent at administration. He does well under Hampton around Petersburg, notably against Wilson's Raid & Second Reams Station.
• Matthew C. Butler - 3 - did good work commanding Hampton's old division. Not much else to say.
• Thomas Rosser - 2 - Rosser's first day commanding a division was an embarassment at Tom's Brook. He does fine in small actions in the valley that winter, but then in March he joins Fitzhugh Lee around Petersburg, and is the instigator of the infamous shad bake. Rosser redeems himself somewhat with his defense of the High Bridge on April 6th/7th, but otherwise, not much positive to say on him beyond some small inconsequintial actions.

 

[Wizard of Cozz]

I'm guessing you're starting this from Second Manassas. I'll leave out guys who were only really temporary appointments:

• R. H. Anderson - 2 - Did well at Second Manassas...after that, mediocre or poor performances abound. He was a non-entity at Gettysburg. He gets promoted to corps command because he was Longstreet's 2nd-in-Command back in 1862 and he had the favor of the officers of Longstreet's Corps.
• D. R. Jones - 2.5 - Not great not terrible. I don't have much to really go on, he didn't seem to be that much of a loss to the army when he passed.
• John Bell Hood - 4.5 - His 1862 record is excellent though I'd say it came at a heavy cost. His 1863 record was spotty at best; he was wounded early on in the fight at Gettysburg. Not sold on him being a 5.
• A. P. Hill - 5 - Indisputably one of the best division commanders for Lee's army during the war. Did the lions share of the fighting at Second Manassas, rescued Lee at Antietam. He didn't do too hot at Fredericksburg, and was wounded before he really did much at Chancellorsville. If Hill had a flaw, it was that he couldn't get along with any superior who wasn't Lee. He was originally in Longstreet's Wing but was transferred after nearly starting a duel with Old Warhorse. Serving under Jackson, things weren't much better, though more often than not when battle was at hand they worked together well. Him being promoted to Corps command feels like both a reward for excellent service and an oppurtunity to avoid further issues.
• Ewell - 4 - Did great under Jackson in the Valley, and to some extent in the Seven Days. He did fine at Second Manassas before his wounding. One wonders how'd he'd have done if he was healthy for the Maryland Campaign or Chancellorsville, had he been in command rather than Early.
• McLaws - 4 - Solid division commander. If it weren't for Longstreet being petty and a less than satisfactory performance at Salem Church, I'd imagine he'd have gotten Longstreet's Corps rather than Anderson after the Wilderness. Had a reputation for sluggishness, but his division was a hard fighting unit with a good reputation.
• John G. Waler - 3.5 - did well in the Maryland Campaign; honestly did better out west.
• D. H. Hill - 4.5 - I agree with OP, if it weren't for his personality, D. H. would have been tied with A. P. for the title of best division commander in Lee's army. Sadly, D. H. just couldn't get along with Lee or Bragg or Davis (he did with Beauregard, and he likely would have gotten Bushrod Johnson's Division had it not been for his pouting). Even in 1865, he stunned leading Lee's Corps (then the size of a smaller division) at Bentonville. Seriously, this guy was his own worst enemy.
• Jubal Early - 4 - I'm honestly more impressed by Early in the valley than as a division commander. That said, he wasn't a mediocrity, far from it. Fredericksburg, Salem Church, Gettysburg, he does an excellent job in most of these battles. If he has a low point, it has to be Rappahannock Bridge, where two of his brigades were left on the wrong side of a river and destroyed.
• George Pickett - 1.5 - May be the lowest ranked officer on this list. He's promoted mainly because he's Longstreet's guy. He doesn't do much until Gettysburg, though he did a fine job there given the circumstances. In the Carolinas he was awful, botching an attack on New Bern. He did fine work organizing things in Petersburg when Butler landed at Bermuda Hundred, but overwork forced him to take sick when Beauregard made his fight at Drewry's Bluff. He didn't do great at Bethesda Church, failing to support Early's attack (though that was botched as is by another commander we'll get to later). He does fine at Cold Harbor, and probably his finest moment was helping reseal the Howlett Line during the Second Battle of Petersburg. Throughout the rest of 1864, his division, which swelled with recruits, remained on the Howlett Line, Lee never utilizing him for much beyond calling upon detachments to reinforce other fronts. But of course, you then get him commanding a task force to halt Sheridan at the end of March, culminating in the disaster at Five Forks, a disaster which could have been avoided if he hadn't gone off to that fish fry.
• Robert Ransom - 2 - Did fine at Fredericksburg...but then in 1864 the dude just kinda sucks. Didn't do well at Drewry's Bluff, getting sidelined by Beauregard for his lack of ability to control his division (that said his men did do good work at the battle, just not him). He gets sent to command cavalry in the valley, which he isn't really good at. After that, nothing for the rest of the war. Not a disaster artist like Pickett or other officers but not necessarily good.
• Taliaferro - N/A - I got nothing to say about him. Honestly he's kinda a nothing burger. Jackson didn't like him, but Jackson didn't like a lot of people.
• J. R. Jones - N/A - I really don't know how to assess him. Commanded Jackson's Division during the Antietam Campaign, but it seems a wound sustained commanding the Second Brigade in the Seven Days may have resulted in PTSD; subordinates often accused him of cowardice or of faking serious injuries to leave command duties. He wasn't removed from command until Jackson's death; it seems Jones was to Jackson what Pickett was to Longstreet. Interesting postwar life. Honestly I'd say he's the Kim McQuilken of this list: awful at his job, but can't really find anything to hate about him.
• Robert E. Rodes - 4.5 - One of the more quiet characters on this list but arguably one of the most influential figures in the army. He first implemented the sharpshooter battalion system that would eventually be used across the army by 1864, which gave the rebels one tactical edge over their Union counterparts well into the final stages of the war. As a division commander, he did well at Chancellorsville, but was absolutely abysmal at Gettysburg. He did great in the Overland Campaign, in the Wilderness, Spotsylvania & Cold Harbor. In the valley, he won a minor victory at Cool Springs. He didn't have much of an impact at Third Winchester, as he was killed before his troops were committed to the fight. Of course, his death would open the path for another officer on this list, one who had served under Rodes back in 1861-62.
• Raleigh Colston - 1.5 - Sucked at Chancellorsville. Wasn't supposed to be leading the division, it was supposed to be under Trimble, but Trimble hadn't recovered in time for the battle. Colston would redeem himself in command at First Petersburg, though afterwards his career was a nothing burger.
• Henry Heth - 4 - Heth is one of the weird ones here. He doesn't do too great in 1863 (Gettsyburg, Falling Waters, & Bristoe Station); he's much better in 1864, fighting in the Wilderness and Cold Harbor. However, at Second Reams Station, he takes command from A. P. Hill and coordinates what I consider the most impressive victory of the Army of Northern Virginia. He does well at Boydton Plank Road and Hatcher's Run. Honestly if I were basing his performance off of Second Reams Station alone he'd be 5.5, well above everyone else on this list. Sadly he never really is able to repeat that performance; and honestly, in that case he's in quasi corps command.
• Dorsey Pender - 3 - can't really rank "what could have been"s much higher than a 3, but I get the feeling Pender would have proven his worth had he not been wounded on July 2nd and died in the retreat.
• Edward Johnson - 3.5 - above average division commander. Did well at Gettysburg, Payne's Farm, the Wilderness & Spotsylvania. I'd say the disaster of the Mule Shoe was not his fault but that of Lee, Ewell & Martin L. Smith for not hearing out Johnson's pleas.
• Isaac Trimble - 2 - what a blowhard. Only really on here for Pickett's Charge.
• Cadmus Wilcox - 3.5 - above average division commander. Did ok in the Overland Campaign. He did well at Jericho Mill, though compared to another guy leading a different Third Corps division, he didn't have that much success. Fine in the Wilderness. Didn't do too well at Jerusalem Plank Road, though arguably that's more A. P. Hill's fault for the poor coordination between him and Mahone. Did well under Heth at Second Reams Station and showed himself well at Peebles Farm.
• Joseph Kershaw - 3 - Honestly I find more flawed performanced by Kershaw. He's pretty good in the Wilderness and Spotsylvania, not so much at the North Anna or Cold Harbor, or First Deep Bottom. His time in the valley is a mixed bag. His division loses heavily in small actions, but does great at Cedar Creek, doing much of the heavy lifting that battle. His division gets annihilated at Saylor's Creek, though that situation was rather hopeless.
• Charles W. Field - 4 - honestly Field was a better division commander than Hood, and was a perfect replacement. Did well at the Wilderness & Spotsylvania, helped Pickett seal the Howlett Line, and commanded a provisional corps at Fussell's Mill pretty well, though Lee was rather hands on for that fight. If he had one flaw, he could not get along with Robert Hoke, which reared its head several times in the fall of 1864.
• John Brown Gordon - 4.5 - Half a mind to give him a 5, but thinking about it, I'd say A. P. Hill and Mahone have higher highs. Don't get me wrong, Gordon was great. He first commands a demi-division on May 6th at the Wilderness, rolling up the Union flank late in the day. At Spotsylvania, he was superb in helping seal the breach of the line of the Mule Shoe, getting a permanant star. He did an excellent job at Cold Harbor on June 2nd, helping roll up parts of Union V & IX Corps. In the Valley, he did much of the fighting at Monocacy, supported Breckinridge's attack at Second Kernstown and did good work at Third Winchester. After that point he was practically in corps command for the rest of the war.
• William H. C. Whiting - 1.5 - maybe the only officer to compete with Pickett for the lowest spot on the rankings. I am not familiar enough with his performance in the Seven Days, but considering he was immediately sidelined in favor of Hood, I feel like Lee didn't think of him too highly. Beauregard did, and gave him a crucial role in the Bermuda Hundred Campaign, with the role of striking at Butler's exposed rear and cutting the Union line of retreat. In this he failed spectacularly, allowing Butler to escape; D. H. Hill was there but had no command authority, had he been in command instead, or anyone else of rank, the Battle of Drewry's Bluff would have been a total Union disaster rather than a heavy setback. He was sent back to Wilmington, where he was better served overseeing defensive works as an engineer.
• Robert Hoke - 3 - Hoke...oh Hoke...what to do with Hoke. I've just made a thread on Hoke, link here, where I go over his Confederate career breifly. Won't repeat much here, besides saying he did better elsewhere.
• William Mahone - 5 - A mediocre brigadier, but oh lord, Mahone in command of a division around Petersburg was something to be seen. He took over the division after Anderson, and did well at Spotsylvania & North Anna, but it wasn't until June 22nd 1864 that Mahone turns into arguably the most impressive commander to ever serve in Lee's Army. With three brigades he routs two divisions of Union II Corps in one of the most lopsided victories of the war, only to be one upped by...himself, on August 19th at Globe Tavern, where with three brigades he rolled up the V Corps and captured an entire division and a half. Then of course there's his actions at the Crater, where, with three brigades, he managed to seal the breach in the line (though he'd probably be put on trial today for the actions of his men during this fight). He doesn't do too hot at Boydton Plank Road, and his division was cut up on August 21st at Globe Tavern (though that was more Beauregard's fault for ordering an attack at that point). He doesn't get to see much action in 1865, no real highlights to speak of. Still, he is responsible for three of the most impressive moments of the Army of Northern Virginia around Petersburg.
• John C. Breckinridge - 4.5 - If I were rating him on just his performance at New Market, I'd give him a 5. However, he's notched down by the losses he sustained at Cold Harbor, where he failed to reinforce a position in his line properly, allowing Union troops to make their only breakthrough of the June 3rd assault against his line. Luckily the breach was sealed quickly, but still, not much else to rate him on. Debatably you can attribute his performance at Second Kernstown, where he personally led Wharton's Division in the fighting there that won the day, but I'm going to rate Wharton for that. Still, excellent division commander.
• Stephen Dodson Ramseur - 2 - Excellent brigade commander...poor division commander. At Bethesda Church he sends a single brigade to get cut to ribbons rather than a supported attack. His division gets routed by a union force smaller than him at Rutherford's Farm in one of the most embarassing rebel losses in the Valley. He redeems himself somewhat at Third Winchester, before he's given command of Rodes' Division following the battle. At Fisher's Hill, his division does as best it can when Crook's whole corps falls on their exposed flank and sends the army to rout. At Cedar Creek, he's arguably responsible for the rebel defeat, when he wastes his time and squanders his chance to drive Getty's division off the field before his men are awakened and prepared. He calls upon Early to give him Wharton's Division from the reserve, which ruins any real chance of further success that day. Of course, he would fall at the end of the battle. Honestly, I'd say the guy who replaced him in command of Rodes' Division was a lot better.
• Bushrod Johnson - 3 - Did alright. Not great not terrible. Doesn't really do much after Second Petersburg, though he did fine there. His division mostly holds the line until 1865. After his division lost heavily at Saylor's Creek, he was assigned to Gordon's Corps, where upon Gordon immediately removed him from command for reasons not yet fully understood.
• Gabriel Wharton - 3.5 - commanded Breckinridge's infantyr division in the valley. Did a good job all around given the circumstances. His high point comes at Second Kernstown, when his division, led by Breckinridge personally, turns the Union flank and routs Crook's command from the field. His division is decimated at Third Winchester, does ok at Cedar Creek, before being totally crushed at Waynesboro. He'd be a 3 if not for Second Kernstown, though how much of that is Breckinridge or not is up for debate.
• John Pegram - 2.5 - after returning from his Wilderness wound, Pegram took over Ramseur's Division after Third Winchester, leading it at Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek (where he was one of the few vocal critics of Gordon's plan) and at Hatcher's Run, where he was killed. Honestly, not much to really say about his time in division command.
• Bryan Grimes - 4 - Replaced Ramseur in command of Rodes' Division, and in February 1865 became the last man in the Confederacy promoted to Major General. Grimes led his troops well at Fort Stedman, Third Petersburg and finally at Appomattox, where his men led the last charge of the Army of Northern Virginia. Honestly, for a late war promotion of a guy who less than a year prior was commanding a regiment, Grimes is surprisingly capable.
• Clement A. Evans - 2.5 - Took command of Gordon's Division when Gordon took command of Second Corps. Led the division well at Cedar Creek, but did poorly around Hatcher's Run. Redeemed himself somewhat at Fort Stedman, but otherwise nothing notable. Of course he would be influential in the historiography of the war, but besides that, nothing much to say.
• James A. Walker - 2.5 - took command of Pegram's Division after Pegram's death at Hatcher's Run. Did fine, his division fought well at Fort Stedman and in the retreat from Petersburg, though suffering heavy losses.
• Joseph Finegan - 4 - Led Mahone's Division at Hatcher's Run, where he led a Mahone-esque attack on V Corps on February 6th that routed the Union forces in their front. Great example of a one-hit wonder on this list.

Feel like ranking the cavalry commanders as well:

• J. E. B. Stuart - 4.5 - Maybe you can fault him for things around Brandy Station or in the Gettysburg Campaign, but overall, I cannot find much blemishs on Stuart as a cavalry division commander, and even as a corps commander after Gettysburg.
• Wade Hampton - 4.5 - Hampton may have been Lee's finest cavalry commander, even better than Stuart. Of course, I'd say his time in command of corps-strength forces are more notable to me.
• Fitzhugh Lee - 2 - The more I read on the rebel cavalry, the more I realized how far Fitz Lee's career was carried by Stuart's presense. Because Lee does great under Stuart, but after Stuart is mortally wounded, Lee puts on a dunce cap. He fails to trap Sheridan at Meadows Bridge, gets repulsed at Wilson's Wharf, and struggles to cooperated with Hampton. In the Valley, he's bested at Guard's Hill, and he does alright at Third Winchester before he's wounded trying to stem the tide of Sheridan's horsemen. When he recovers and returns to Petersburg, he becomes Lee's cavalry chief...and causes more trouble.
• Rooney Lee - 4 - Way better than his cousin. Rooney Lee's Division remains a large and potent force for most of 1864 and even into 1865 so he's excellent at administration. He does well under Hampton around Petersburg, notably against Wilson's Raid & Second Reams Station.
• Matthew C. Butler - 3 - did good work commanding Hampton's old division. Not much else to say.
• Thomas Rosser - 2 - Rosser's first day commanding a division was an embarassment at Tom's Brook. He does fine in small actions in the valley that winter, but then in March he joins Fitzhugh Lee around Petersburg, and is the instigator of the infamous shad bake. Rosser redeems himself somewhat with his defense of the High Bridge on April 6th/7th, but otherwise, not much positive to say on him beyond some small inconsequintial actions.

Great insight as always, I'm going to try and come back to this, this evening when I have more time. I may nitpck a few things, but still a great read.

 

[dlofting]

We've had these types of questions before, though not in this exact form.

What I struggle with is that I don't really know what Division and Corps commanders did as compared to regimental and brigade commanders, whose duties I have a better handle on.

As a result I always fall back on how the division did in battle or on the march. That performance may reflect on the commander but it may also be a result of good subordinates or excellent soldiers.

It's kind of like the school or community sports observation that most people can't recognize good coaching in a losing team.

Can anybody help me out with a "job description" for a Civil War Division commander?

 

[SWS]

I would love to write an alternate history in which D.H. Hill exercises full discretion on May 16, 1864. I mean, the idea that the Confederacy threatened two Federal armies of secondary importance in the spring of that year with destruction is very interesting, alongside the cream of Porter's riverine fleet. It could very well have meant an utter paralysis of the primary campaigns in Virginia and Georgia. Unfortunately, Whiting was neurotic (and a tippler?), and Kirby-Smith was profoundly, if covertly, narcissistic (seriously).

 

[Wizard of Cozz]

I would love to write an alternate history in which D.H. Hill exercises full discretion on May 16, 1864. I mean, the idea that the Confederacy threatened two Federal armies of secondary importance in the spring of that year with destruction is very interesting, alongside the cream of Porter's riverine fleet. It could very well have meant an utter paralysis of the primary campaigns in Virginia and Georgia. Unfortunately, Whiting was neurotic (and a tippler?), and Kirby-Smith was profoundly, if covertly, narcissistic (seriously).

Would love to read that!