Removal from command - most deserving?

[Hunter]

My vote is for the Beast, Benjamin Butler, a political general who Lincoln sacked in January 1865. Most of you may remember his dust-up with the women of New Orleans but he was also politically mendacious, corrupt, and an incompetent general. Lincoln once said Butler was as full of poisonous gas as a dead dog.

 

[jackt62]

CSA Major General Benjamin Huger who was relieved of command by R.E. Lee after ineffective performance during the Seven Days campaign.

 

[Sbc]

Pope

 

[Yankeedave]

My vote is for the Beast, Benjamin Butler, a political general who Lincoln sacked in January 1865. Most of you may remember his dust-up with the women of New Orleans but he was also politically mendacious, corrupt, and an incompetent general. Lincoln once said Butler was as full of poisonous gas as a dead dog.

Butler is doing something for the government. Better than i can explain it Jonh B Jones, Davis's secretary, explains the process of trading between the lines. Butler is there time. He hit the big ones cause he was that good commercially. He played no part in the taking of New Orleans, but was the commander.

 

[tonijustine]

Before I even opened the thread, Ledlie came to mind.

 

[Yankeedave]

He got drunk didnt he? Or was drunk. Somebody had to be. Was this Grants first mine explosion? At what date did the 48th Penn arrive at it's position? I know. as luck would have it these guys were at the right spot where a mine might work. Grant picked the right guys either way. And their ingenuity, a marvel to us, is old hat to them and any one who would be or is in the bizz. so to speak.

 

[tonijustine]

Was drunk and hiding in a bombproof.

It looks like there were two mines exploded during the siege of Vicksburg, one on June 25 under the Third Louisiana Redan (followed by an infantry assault) and another on July 1 which was not followed by an assault.

https://www.nps.gov/vick/learn/historyculture/siege.htm

 

[Bruce Vail]

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I vote Burnside, although the competition is fierce for 'most deserving' of removal.

 

[tonijustine]

He got drunk didnt he? Or was drunk. Somebody had to be. Was this Grants first mine explosion? At what date did the 48th Penn arrive at it's position? I know. as luck would have it these guys were at the right spot where a mine might work. Grant picked the right guys either way. And their ingenuity, a marvel to us, is old hat to them and any one who would be or is in the bizz. so to speak.

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I vote Burnside, although the competition is fierce 'most deserving' or removal.

I have a soft spot in my heart for people who know their own limitations. He was the very definition of the Peter Principal, but he did tell Lincoln... several times in fact....that he was not qualified for advancement.

 

[Rio Bravo]

IVERSON - C.S.A.
LEDLIE - U.S.

 

[Hunter]

Butler is doing something for the government. Better than i can explain it Jonh B Jones, Davis's secretary, explains the process of trading between the lines. Butler is there time. He hit the big ones cause he was that good commercially. He played no part in the taking of New Orleans, but was the commander.

Not sure I understand your reply. Could you please rephrase?

 

[AUG]

Henry Hopkins Sibley. He was drinking throughout the New Mexico Campaign and lounging around while others fought the battles. After the ragged retreat back to Texas one of his officers brought charges against Sibley for drunkenness, cowardice, mistreatment of sick and wounded, etc., though he managed to work his way out of that and remained in command. He later made some screw-ups in Louisiana under Richard Taylor. Taylor had him court-martialed. Sibley was not found guilty for disobeying orders, but was censured. He was ordered back to Richmond and, thankfully, never again held a command.

 

[BillO]

CSA Major General Benjamin Huger who was relieved of command by R.E. Lee after ineffective performance during the Seven Days campaign.

Huger really wasn't incompetent, he was just too old and he had been badly used before Lee took over.

 

[Jamieva]

Ledlie was drunk at the North Anna too but Burnside didn't know about it.

 

[TFSmith121]

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

Really?

http://48thpennsylvania.blogspot.com/2009/07/brigadier-general-john-curtis-caldwell.html

Best,

 

[TFSmith121]

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I vote Burnside, although the competition is fierce for 'most deserving' of removal.

Burnside asked not to be given the command of the Army of the Potomac, which should grant him some grace; it is also worth noting he turned Longstreet into a patsy at Knoxville quite effectively.

He was also one of - maybe - three generals to competently lead a division-sized amphibious assault during the war. Compared to the "state of the art" in 1914-15, as mounted by the army that existed to be "fired by the navy" (Arthur Aitken? Ian Hamilton? God help us) he was Chesty 'effing Puller AND Archer Vandegrift AND Howling Mad AND Dave Shoup AND OP Smith, all rolled into one.

Best,

 

[Yankeedave]

Not sure I understand your reply. Could you please rephrase?

There is trading between the sides. John B. Jones, in A Rebel War Clerk's Diary, describes the process. Butler is present for these actions. I'm not saying this guy wasn't a bum militarily, but he is good (?) commercially. To understand it Jones' diary has to be read. I had no idea that any legal trading went on, at least no on this scale and scope. Btw, Jones was Davis's personal secretary so the book is revealing. A good read, but it can get windy.

 

[frontrank2]

Burnside asked not to be given the command of the Army of the Potomac, which should grant him some grace; it is also worth noting he turned Longstreet into a patsy at Knoxville quite effectively.

He was also one of - maybe - three generals to competently lead a division-sized amphibious assault during the war. Compared to the "state of the art" in 1914-15, as mounted by the army that existed to be "fired by the navy" (Aitken? Hamilton?God help us) he was Chesty 'effing Puller AND Archer Vandegrift AND Howling Mad AND Dave Shoup AND OP Smith, all rolled into one.

Best,

I always thought Burnside was a decent divisional commander. He was out of his league as a corps commander, IMHO.

 

[Yankeedave]

Really?

http://48thpennsylvania.blogspot.com/2009/07/brigadier-general-john-curtis-caldwell.html

Best,

Yeah.
Landscape turned Red. Sears.
Gettysburg. The Second Day. Pfanz.
Hancock. His superior officer. If you didn't work out under Hancock, you were looking for a new job.

 

[Yankeedave]

I always thought Burnside was a decent divisional commander. He was out of his league as a corps commander, IMHO.

He could do well at times. Very successful on the N.C. coast. Beat Longstreet to Knoxville. But his attitude (i dont know what else to call it) got alot of good men killed.