Removal from command - most deserving?

[lelliott19]

Since there's another thread going on right now entitled "Which Removal From Army Command Was The Least Deserving?" here http://civilwartalk.com/threads/which-removal-from-army-command-was-the-least-deserving.126086/ I thought it would be fun to consider those officers who were removed who MOST deserved it. I'll start with my absolute favorite!

Colonel Rodney Mason 71st Ohio Volunteer Infantry
The regiment arrived at Shiloh and camped near the Hamburg-Purdy Road near Lick Creek, having been assigned to General David Stuart's Second Brigade, Gen. William T. Sherman's Fifth Division of the Army of the Tennessee. On Sunday April 6, 1862, situated on the Union far left, in an isolated position, Stuart's 2nd brigade was hit hard by Chalmers' Mississippians. When it was noticed that the Colonel was not up with his regiment, it was reported that Mason was found some distance from the line, couching behind a bank of earth. The 71st (and its Col Rodney Mason) were accused of fleeing from the fight.

One account goes like this: "....the 71st Ohio whose Colonel permitted - perhaps even led- his regiment on a pell-mell retreat that did not end for 1/2 a mile; they fired no more than two or three rounds before fleeing the field."

In the northern press, the 71st (and other Ohio units) were accused of cowardice. It is impossible to know exactly what happened there that day, but the men of the 55th Illinois certainly felt they had been abandoned by the 71st OVI. In his memoirs, Gen. Ulysses Grant recalls Col. Mason being "mortified at his action," coming "with tears in his eyes" and begging "to be allowed another trial."

Sent next to hold Clarksville TN (after that poor performance at Shiloh) on 18 Aug 1862, Col Mason surrendered his entire force - before a shot was even fired - to Confederate cavalry forces under Col. Adam Rankin "Stovepipe" Johnson and Col. Thomas Woodward. The garrison was six companies of the 71st Ohio Infantry (the other four were at Dover, Tennessee).

Col Mason was cashiered - and apparently justifiably so.

 

[lelliott19]

Brave Sir Rodney Ran Away?

 

[War Horse]

Braxton Bragg awe heck he wasn't removed was he. I'll give it another try ​

 

[War Horse]

Then there's Joseph Johnston, and Joseph Jonhnston, but wait a minute wasn't he the last Commanding General to surrender? I'm so confused. What a good question, I think. Lol

 

[Burning Billy]

Alfred Iverson Jr...

Sent his entire brigade into an ambush at Gettysburg, deployed without skirmishers, while he was far in the rear with the gear, and ironically accusing his men, who he observed lying prostrate, of being cowards...when in fact they were stone dead. 900 casualties, as many as 500 of which may have been hit in the opening volley...

It was one of th most disgraceful performances by a brigade commander in the Civil War.

In Iverson's defense, he had actually performed well and bravely in prior campaigns, and had been wounded twice in action. It's hard to know what was going on in the man's head at Gettysburg, but it's possible those prior near misses with oblivion had left him somewhat rattled.

 

[Burning Billy]

I'd also say Daniel Sickles, but I guess removal from command via rebel cannonballs doesn't count...

 

[War Horse]

I'd also say Daniel Sickles, but I guess removal from command via rebel cannonballs doesn't count...

Oh but most certainly deserving.

 

[TFSmith121]

At the Army level, seems like Hood is the obvious answer.

My feet are torn and bloody,
My heart is full of woe,
I'm going back to Georgia
To find my uncle Joe.
You may talk about your Beauregard,
You may sing of Bobby Lee,
But the gallant Hood of Texas
Has played hell in Tennessee.

Best,

 

[bdtex]

At the Army level, seems like Hood is the obvious answer.

My feet are torn and bloody,
My heart is full of woe,
I'm going back to Georgia
To find my uncle Joe.
You may talk about your Beauregard,
You may sing of Bobby Lee,
But the gallant Hood of Texas
Has played hell in Tennessee.

Best,

As I recall,he resigned. Have you read this one?:

 

[Schwallanscher]

As I recall,he resigned. Have you read this one?:

View attachment 106525

hasn't he been sacked after nashville?

 

[bdtex]

hasn't he been sacked after nashville?

I believe he resigned.

 

[bdtex]

hasn't he been sacked after nashville?

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/hood-removed-from-command

"On this day in 1865, Confederate General John Bell Hood is officially removed as commander of the Army of Tennessee. He had requested the removal a few weeks before; the action closed ableak chapter in the history of the Army of Tennessee."

That's about all I have to say about it. Don't wanna hijack this thread. Bet there is another thread in the forum on this topic.

 

[Schwallanscher]

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/hood-removed-from-command

"On this day in 1865, Confederate General John Bell Hood is officially removed as commander of the Army of Tennessee. He had requested the removal a few weeks before; the action closed ableak chapter in the history of the Army of Tennessee."

That's about all I have to say about it. Don't wanna hijack this thread. Bet there is another thread in the forum on this topic.

you win

 

[frontrank2]

In my humble opinion, the dubious honor goes to Brig. James Ledlie of the Union 9th Corps for his dereliction of duty at the Battle of the Crater during the Siege of Petersburg.
" The Union plan was to exploit the explosion by sending well-rehearsed African-American troops of Edward Ferrero's division into the gap and driving for critical objectives deep in the Confederate rear area. The plan was modified at the last minute, however, due to political concerns about the effect the black troops would have on the Confederate soldiers and the public in general. Burnside, despondent at the change in plans, resorted to a lottery to select a replacement division. Ledlie drew the short straw and disaster resulted. He did not brief his troops beforehand and they entered the crater out of curiosity instead of moving safely around its rim, as Ferrero's division had been trained to do. Unable to exit the steep sides of the crater, they were slaughtered by Confederates firing down on them. Over 5,300 Union troops were casualties in the ill-fated battle that achieved none of its objectives. But most damning for Ledlie's reputation was the fact that he did not lead, or even accompany, his men into battle. He and Ferrero were observed behind the lines in a bunker, drinking liquor." ( Wikipedia )
Ledlie faced a court martial and was subsequently dismissed by Gen. Meade, on orders from Gen. Grant.

 

[TFSmith121]

As I recall,he resigned. Have you read this one?:

View attachment 106525

Civil War Trust phrases it as "Hood was relieved of his rank (at his own request) in January of 1865 and returned to his post as lieutenant general," so seems like some of both ... but presumably if he hadn't requested relief, Bragg or Kirby Smith as the theater commander would have done so in favor of Taylor; it's not like Hood had much of a command left anyway, after Nashville.

http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/biographies/john-bell-hood.html

Best,

 

[bdtex]

In my humble opinion, the dubious honor goes to Brig. James Ledlie of the Union 9th Corps for his dereliction of duty at the Battle of the Crater during the Siege of Petersburg.
" The Union plan was to exploit the explosion by sending well-rehearsed African-American troops of Edward Ferrero's division into the gap and driving for critical objectives deep in the Confederate rear area. The plan was modified at the last minute, however, due to political concerns about the effect the black troops would have on the Confederate soldiers and the public in general. Burnside, despondent at the change in plans, resorted to a lottery to select a replacement division. Ledlie drew the short straw and disaster resulted. He did not brief his troops beforehand and they entered the crater out of curiosity instead of moving safely around its rim, as Ferrero's division had been trained to do. Unable to exit the steep sides of the crater, they were slaughtered by Confederates firing down on them. Over 5,300 Union troops were casualties in the ill-fated battle that achieved none of its objectives. But most ****ing for Ledlie's reputation was the fact that he did not lead, or even accompany, his men into battle. He and Ferrero were observed behind the lines in a bunker, drinking liquor." ( Wikipedia )
Ledlie faced a court martial and was subsequently dismissed by Gen. Meade, on orders from Gen. Grant.

View attachment 106528

That is a very good choice.

 

[OpnCoronet]

The most notable, of course, was George B. McClellan. His incompetence knew no bounds(or very little), the Union was in danger every second of his command.

 

[Stony]

Bragg

 

[Yankeedave]

John C. Caldwell. At Antietam his division commander Dick (aka greasy Dick or black Dick) Richardson was looking for him. Caldwell was hiding behind a hay stack. Richardson was felled. Shame. He was the best. Caldwell asumed command of the division. Leading it at Gettysburg his division, containing the Irish brigade, was brought into the fight backwards so that when they went to face to front they had to face to the rear, away from the enemy. A man in his command noted that this was not the side they were use to presenting. The division fought well but for Caldwell the 2nd Corps had had enough of him. He was releived of command. about time

 

[BillO]

I'd vote for Ledlie

In my humble opinion, the dubious honor goes to Brig. James Ledlie of the Union 9th Corps for his dereliction of duty at the Battle of the Crater during the Siege of Petersburg.
" The Union plan was to exploit the explosion by sending well-rehearsed African-American troops of Edward Ferrero's division into the gap and driving for critical objectives deep in the Confederate rear area. The plan was modified at the last minute, however, due to political concerns about the effect the black troops would have on the Confederate soldiers and the public in general. Burnside, despondent at the change in plans, resorted to a lottery to select a replacement division. Ledlie drew the short straw and disaster resulted. He did not brief his troops beforehand and they entered the crater out of curiosity instead of moving safely around its rim, as Ferrero's division had been trained to do. Unable to exit the steep sides of the crater, they were slaughtered by Confederates firing down on them. Over 5,300 Union troops were casualties in the ill-fated battle that achieved none of its objectives. But most ****ing for Ledlie's reputation was the fact that he did not lead, or even accompany, his men into battle. He and Ferrero were observed behind the lines in a bunker, drinking liquor." ( Wikipedia )
Ledlie faced a court martial and was subsequently dismissed by Gen. Meade, on orders from Gen. Grant.

View attachment 106528

The Crater fight wasn't his first major blunder. The man was a complete waste of air.