Who Were the Workhorse Generals?

[Tennessee Union Gal]

We've had the best, we've had the worst, now how about the workhorse generals? The ones who put their head down and soldiered on without much recognition or glory. They made some mistakes but got the job done.

I'll start: David M Gregg

 

[6thMichCav]

I'm going to go with Cadmus Wilcox.

 

[Tennessee Union Gal]

I'm going to go with Cadmus Wilcox.

I had to look him up, but he certainly fits the bill!

 

[Kyle Kalasnik]

General Alpheus Williams? 1st Div/XII Corps

 

[breckod]

George W. Getty, Nathan Kimball, and Alpheus Williams come to mind for Federals.

 

[Cavalier]

Israel B. Richardson, Alexander B. Hays and A.A. Humphreys come to mind for starters.

John

 

[Bruce Vail]

I like Williams and George Greene for the federal side.

George Doles and Robert Rodes for the rebels.

 

[Pollaco]

Tom Green

 

[General JJ]

A.J. Smith in 1864-65. His command of the 16th Corps Right Wing was one of the few bright spots of the Red River Campaign.

After Sturgis' defeat at Brices' Crossroads, the 16th Corps Right Wing was tasked with entering Forrest's country and keeping him occupied, and with the hope of defeating him in battle. Smith handled the campaign very well, with the obvious exception of neglecting to have his rations properly inspected. Nonetheless, Smith's tactical and strategic handling of his small army, both in battle, and on the march, was exceptional, and he administered a good whipping to the rebels.

Smith and his corps (now titled Detachment - Army of the Tennessee), were next sent to Missouri in response to Prices' Raid. I don't know much about his activities here, if anyone would like to chime in.

Smith's next assignment was under Thomas at the Battle of Nashville. As we all know, on both days, his corps smashed through the Confederate lines and drove them in utter route.

Finally, he successfully forced the surrender of Spanish Fort in April 1865.

I don't believe it was actually intended as such, but Smith's Guerrilas served as a defacto strategic reserve for the Western Theater.

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

George Thomas - he is certainly well known, but I don't think he was given enough credit for all he did, probably because he did not "play politics." He had his papers destroyed and refused to write a memoir.

 

[breckod]

He might be famous or exceptional enough not to qualify, but a mention should probably go to Emory Upton, who in addition to his exploits at Spotsylvania, was leading a cavalry division at the end of the war.

 

[Pollaco]

Actually there were alot of "workhorse generals", not all by any means but still alot.

 

[tony_gunter]

We've had the best, we've had the worst, now how about the workhorse generals? The ones who put their head down and soldiered on without much recognition or glory. They made some mistakes but got the job done.

I'll start: David M Gregg

Number 1 would have to be:

Eugene Asa Carr - the man was among the best, but never seemed to get recognized for it.

 

[lelliott19]

Joseph Brevard Kershaw gets my vote. Besides putting his head down and getting things done without complaining or belly aching, and not getting much recognition, he was well respected by his superiors, subordinates, and peers. He led with a magnanimous spirit and after the war, he didn't criticize others, didn't stick his nose into controversy and generally avoided post-war shenanigans. Even Custer liked him - and Custer probably had more detractors than anyone.

 

[rbasin]

George W. Getty, Nathan Kimball, and Alpheus Williams come to mind for Federals.

Williams.

 

[Kyle Kalasnik]

I like Williams and George Greene for the federal side.

Yes! I completely forgot about Greene.

 

[tony_gunter]

A.J. Smith in 1864-65. His command of the 16th Corps Right Wing was one of the few bright spots of the Red River Campaign.

After Sturgis' defeat at Brices' Crossroads, the 16th Corps Right Wing was tasked with entering Forrest's country and keeping him occupied, and with the hope of defeating him in battle. Smith handled the campaign very well, with the obvious exception of neglecting to have his rations properly inspected. Nonetheless, Smith's tactical and strategic handling of his small army, both in battle, and on the march, was exceptional, and he administered a good whipping to the rebels.

Smith and his corps (now titled Detachment - Army of the Tennessee), were next sent to Missouri in response to Prices' Raid. I don't know much about his activities here, if anyone would like to chime in.

Smith's next assignment was under Thomas at the Battle of Nashville. As we all know, on both days, his corps smashed through the Confederate lines and drove them in utter route.

Finally, he successfully forced the surrender of Spanish Fort in April 1865.

I don't believe it was actually intended as such, but Smith's Guerrilas served as a defacto strategic reserve for the Western Theater.

"McClernand did well in the Vicksburg Campaign." He had AJ Smith, Carr, Osterhaus, and Hovey as division commanders and still got fought to a standstill by 4 brigades at Port Gibson.

 

[Patrick H]

Being the Missourian that I am, I'll nominate Joseph Orville Shelby--little known east of the Mississippi, but in the thick of things that happened out here. Remarkably successful, too.

 

[Nathan Towne]

George W. Getty, Nathan Kimball, and Alpheus Williams come to mind for Federals.

These types of questions are difficult because I don't know how much is known by the general population and that.

For this though, I just was thinking, in terms of "workhorse," someone who seems to have consistently performed at a high level, over a long period of time, but wasn't the fastest to receive promotions, or anything like that. A soldier's soldier, if you will.

The first person who came to mind was Patton Anderson.

 

[jackt62]

Cleburne