McClellan General with biggest ego?

[JerryD]

Since we have threads on different aspects of generals behaviors, here's one to consider. Which general had the most out of control ego? Currently slogging through McClellan's memoir and his ego is just way out of control. Seems everyone who ever disagreed with him over anything was either a traitor or an incompetent. Can't imagine anyone had a larger ego than him, but wondering who the contenders would be.

 

[GwilymT]

Dirty Dan has to be up there. JEB Stuart certainly was fond of showing off, not sure if that counts as having a big "ego".

 

[Sgt. Tyree]

Custer?

 

[AlexPensFan86]

John Pope deserves a mention

 

[GwilymT]

Bragg comes to mind as well. To be so disagreeable requires ego.

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

I'd agree with the vote for McClellan - he had self confidence on steroids. Custer doesn't come across to me as nearly that insufferable during the war.

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

Since we have threads on different aspects of generals behaviors, here's one to consider. Which general had the most out of control ego? Currently slogging through McClellan's memoir and his ego is just way out of control. Seems everyone who ever disagreed with him over anything was either a traitor or an incompetent. Can't imagine anyone had a larger ego than him, but wondering who the contenders would be.

I think you need to divide this into Eastern and Western theaters and then North and South again

 

[jackt62]

Without being judgemental, WP trained United States army officers (whether they resigned for the Confederacy or stayed loyal to the Union), had almost to a man (sorry don't believe there were then women in those positions), huge egos. Some expressed this quite openly and were real prima donnas such as McClellan, Custer, Stuart; in contrast some such as Lee and Grant, made good efforts to conceal their ambition and drive. So who had the most out-of-control ego? Maybe start with the officer corps of the Army of the Potomac from beginning to end.

 

[JackADriscoll]

Joe hooker pre tbi

 

[Pollaco]

"Prince John" Magruder.

 

[Pollaco]

Ego wise I'm sure McClellan will get the overall nod. But Beauregard also saw himself as some kind of "Napoleon" didn't he?

 

[JerryD]

Without being judgemental, WP trained United States army officers (whether they resigned for the Confederacy or stayed loyal to the Union), had almost to a man (sorry don't believe there were then women in those positions), huge egos. Some expressed this quite openly and were real prima donnas such as McClellan, Custer, Stuart; in contrast some such as Lee and Grant, made good efforts to conceal their ambition and drive. So who had the most out-of-control ego? Maybe start with the officer corps of the Army of the Potomac from beginning to end.

Ego is not necessarily a bad thing. Most hugely successful people have a healthy dose of it. That is why I phrased it as "out of control" ego.

 

[JerryD]

Dirty Dan has to be up there. JEB Stuart certainly was fond of showing off, not sure if that counts as having a big "ego".

Good choices!

 

[JerryD]

Joe hooker pre tbi

I chalk Hooker up to ambition more than ego.

 

[Dead Parrott]

Seems like there was plenty of out-of-control ego to go around among the candidates mentioned.

 

[Sheltowee]

Ego is not necessarily a bad thing. Most hugely successful people have a healthy dose of it. That is why I phrased it as "out of control" ego.

If no "out of control" attachment, I would be inclined to suggest Lee.

 

[Pollaco]

It would be a shorter list if the opposite were asked. How about Generals with no Egos?

 

[Grant's Tomb]

John A. MeClernand comes to mind

 

[Sheltowee]

Didn't Schofield award himself the MOH?

 

[Pollaco]

Don Carlos Buell was convinced that he saved Grant at Shiloh.