Poll: Worst Confederate Army Commander?

[TinCan]

I got ya, but you're saying you would have preferred to have Floyd in command of the AoT?

Oh Good Lord no gunny. The AoT had enough problems, they didn't need a Floyd!

 

[W. Richardson]

I don't know if I can agree that Bragg was the worst. His initial plans were always solid IMHO, with the exception of his approach to the Tullahoma Campaign. Bragg had two main downfalls, one has been stated, he could not get along with his subordinates and could not endear himself to them, to make them want to fight for him. Secondly, Bragg was unable to adapt to the changing Battlefield. Once he came up with a plan, he had the tendency to not change it regardless of how the union countered him...he would just go ahead. Bragg also had problems with communication. His Chickamauga Campaign was wrecked by his vague orders to various subordinates....but we still have to consider his original plans which on paper, were all good.

Using your own words, with a small amount of re-working, if I may............." Bragg had 3 main downfalls.

(1) He could not get along with his subordinates and could not endear himself to them, to make them want to fight for him.

(2) Bragg was unable to adapt to the changing Battlefield. Once he came up with a plan, he had the tendency to not change it regardless of how the union countered him...he would just go ahead.

(3) Bragg also had problems with communication. His Chickamauga Campaign was wrecked by his vague orders to various subordinates "

................This is why I IMHO consider Bragg the worst............Having solid plans is good but that was all Bragg had.

Respectfully,

William

 

[Pat Answer]

Two votes for Marse Robert.
OK...
Oh, wait, is it because his victories prolonged the war?

 

[ImaRebelSpy]

Recent Bragg discussions on here made me want to poll the site to find out who the worst commander of a field army was, according to opinions.

I stipulate that they must have commanded an army in battle. An official army, not a temporary detached corps or division.

Vote for 4, and we'll see who gather's the most attention.

Great question! I just voted for Bragg. I believe he quarelled with more of his fellow Confederate officers than did any other notable. Gen Forrest wrote to him after being as patient as the dear General could possibly be with Bragg...

"I have stood your meanness as long as I intend to. You have played the part of a damned scoundrel, and are a coward, and if you were any part of a man I would slap your jaws and force you to resent it. You may as well not issue any more orders to me, for I will not obey them, and I will hold you personally responsible for any further it will be at the peril of your life!"

Just as funny, according to Dr. J. B. Cowan, Gen Forrest's Chief Surgeon, after hearing this letter, told Gen Forrest, "oh you are in for it now General!"
General Forrest just calmly waved this comment away saying: "He'll never say a word about it." Gen Forrest was right. Bragg dared never to mention this letter to Forrest and stayed out of his way.

 

[Delhi Rangers]

I don't understand how anyone could vote for Lee or Jackson as the worst commander(s).

 

[ole]

The existing evidence seems irrefutable. Bragg might have been a really good general. His strategies, plans and arrangements weren' stupid or otherwise erroneous, but it seems (boiled down) that no one actually liked him.

Anyome ever hear of a leader who no one liked?

 

[cash]

The existing evidence seems irrefutable. Bragg might have been a really good general. His strategies, plans and arrangements weren' stupid or otherwise erroneous, but it seems (boiled down) that no one actually liked him.

Anyome ever hear of a leader who no one liked?

Yes. Combat leadership isn't a popularity contest. Nobody liked Jackson either.

 

[ole]

Yes. Combat leadership isn't a popularity contest. Nobody liked Jackson either.

Like and respect are two different animals. I ought to have made that distiction.

 

[W. Richardson]

I don't understand how anyone could vote for Lee or Jackson as the worst commander(s).

Confederatephobics !! voted for them.............

Respectfully,

William

 

[John Hartwell]

"Worst" is absolute, not comparative, so "multiple votes" should not be counted.
Cast my one and only for Floyd. Would have been a tougher decision if Bishop Polk was on the list.

jno

 

[JeffBrooks]

I'm surprised Pemberton isn't getting more votes.

 

[ole]

I really don't like best and worst comparisons. It's not like Grant and Lee didn't screw up occasionally.

 

[Mr. King]

Yes. Combat leadership isn't a popularity contest. Nobody liked Jackson either.

There is quite a difference between Jackson & Bragg.... Jackson got more results out of less men, and was both loved and respected for it.
I don't recall anyone ever saying how much they loved Bragg. I don't recall other generals

I'm surprised Pemberton isn't getting more votes.

Pemberton... he gets a break with me because of his selfless service as s Lt. Colonel building Richmond's defences post-Vicksburg. I can't help but admire him.

 

[Mr. King]

"Worst" is absolute, not comparative, so "multiple votes" should not be counted.
Cast my one and only for Floyd. Would have been a tougher decision if Bishop Polk was on the list.

jno

Well, I figured if everyone voted for their 4 people, then the true winner was bound to reveal himself.

 

[cash]

There is quite a difference between Jackson & Bragg.... Jackson got more results out of less men, and was both loved and respected for it.

Jackson was respected, but hardly loved--especially not by his subordinate commanders. A. P. Hill and W. W. Loring despised him. Richard S. Ewell thought he was certifiably crazy.

 

[Mr. King]

I really don't like best and worst comparisons. It's not like Grant and Lee didn't screw up occasionally.

Their is always a best and a worst. Friday is my favorite day of the week. Monday is my least favorite...

 

[Mr. King]

Jackson was respected, but hardly loved--especially not by his subordinate commanders. A. P. Hill and W. W. Loring despised him. Richard S. Ewell thought he was certifiably crazy.

But they all, except for Loring, would have walked through Hell barefooted for him. Bragg didn't have that effect on his soldiers.

 

[Mr. King]

Jackson was respected, but hardly loved--especially not by his subordinate commanders. A. P. Hill and W. W. Loring despised him. Richard S. Ewell thought he was certifiably crazy.

Jackson also had other generals named after him during the war, and they were proud to wear that badge. Stonewall Jim Walker and Cleburne being coined the "Stonewall of the West".
Hell, try calling someone Little Bragg in the AoT in 1864, and you may get a bullet in return.

 

[W. Richardson]

Jackson was respected, but hardly loved--especially not by his subordinate commanders. A. P. Hill and W. W. Loring despised him. Richard S. Ewell thought he was certifiably crazy.

Ewell had no room to point fingers.......lol..........Though he nor Jackson were crazy, they both had some peculiar traits.

Respectfully,

William

 

[Tin cup]

Where's Polk in this debate?

Kevin Dally