Perhaps the most underrated general of all is Jubal Anderson Early. Throughout his career, he was a gallant, bold and victorious fighter.
At Blackburn's Ford, his first engagement in the war, his arrival and counterattack pushed the Union troops over the ford, which impressed his commander, P.G.T. Beauregard.
At First Manassas, he led the charge that crushed Howard's brigade, a charge which contributed in the Union rout. Afterwards, he was promoted to Brigadier General.
At the Battle of Williamsburg in the Peninsula Campaign (May 5, 1862) D.H. Hill and Longstreet ordered him to attack a vastly superior Union force. Leading two regiments of Virginians, the 24th and the 38th (if anybody has ancestors in those regiments, let me know, please
) he attacked and was wounded. He held the Union force for sufficient time and the Confederates evacuated Williamsburg, in one of Joseph E. Johnston's retrogrades.
General Early rejoined the army (the Army of Northern Virginia, now under General Robert E. Lee) just before the Battle of Malvern Hill. Early's performance earned him the respect of General Lee.
After the Seven Days, Early and his brigade were placed in Stonewall Jackson's wing. At the Battle of Cedar Mountain, Early was instrumental in stemming the tide, repulsing two Union attacks. At the Battle of Second Manassas, on August 30, 1862, when A.P. Hill was certain his line would break, Early came forth and repulsed the Yankees once more.
At Sharpsburg, when his division commander, Major General Alexander Lawton, fell wounded, Early succeeded him. It is said that throughout the battle, the Yankees were pivoting on his flanks but couldn't dislodge him, which is the truth. Both Early's and Hood's performances in the Battle of Sharpsburg caused their promotions to Major Generals.
At Fredericksburg, upon seeing Meade's Pennsylvanians being close in achieving the penetration they wanted, he came forth with his command and sent them scrambling to where they came from.
While General Lee was defeating Hooker at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Early remained at Fredericksburg and resisted John Sedgwick's attempts to capture Marye's Heights.
At the Second Battle of Winchester, he behaved superbly and contributed to General Ewell's victory by occupying and holding Apple Pie Ridge.
At Gettysburg, on Day 1, his division annihilated Barlow's, causing the Union XI Corps to crumble. On Day 2, his division seized East Cemetery Hill, this, alongside Barksdale's movement to Plum Run, being the furthest penetration achieved by Confederates at Gettysburg.
At the Battle of Wilderness, he saved the day for Ewell on May 5 by repulsing Warren's advances.
At Spotsylvania, he commanded the Third Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia and fought gallantly at the Mule Shoe.
After Cold Harbor, General Lee gave General Early command of the Second Corps.
At the Shenandoah, Early again proved himself a shining star in the sky of Confederate generals. His victory at Monocacy and his gallant advance against Washington told the world that the Confederacy, although beleaguered, was still holding its own.
After Early's victory at Second Kernstown, Sheridan was sent to subdue him. Early, thrown now as a small tub opposing an all-devouring whale resisted bravely and, at Cedar Creek, routing two thirds of his opponent's victory, with disorganization in the ranks being the reason for his withdrawal. During his Valley Campaign, Early lost just under 9000 and Sheridan close to 20000.
During the 1864-1865 winter, most of Early's gallant band was transferred to Petersburg, leaving him with a force of 1500.
Waynesboro was his last hurrah. Afterwards, with his warriors captured or killed, Early played no role in the last days of the war.
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Lieutenant-General Jubal Anderson Early, CSA, I salute you!
Civil War Scholar.
Bringing the