Hancocks’s Bravery, Resilience and Success at the Battle of Gettysburg Winfield Scott Hancock, a talented and prosperous military commander was sent in to command union troops after the death of General John Reynolds who was eliminated on day one. Hancock served as the commander of New Corps Gettysburg, having command of the army’s left wing for a short time (Historynet 1). Of course, he did far more than that, Hancock being filled with bravery and the will to continue to fight no matter what, a “man carried away by passion” (Civil War Trust 1). He was a dedicated soldier and commander, not backing down from the front lines of fire and charging headstrong into fights he very well could have lost. His impact on the Civil War was great,
The southern states although far less populated and without initial means to manufacture war supplies did have the strengths to be very competitive. Strong, experienced Confederate leadership in their practiced military, and the overall will power to protect their way of life would prove to be their greatest assets. Jefferson Davis became the president of the Confederacy and was a model leader. He developed a distinguished political career with many years served in the senate, he was a West Point graduate, the former Secretary of War, and a veteran of the Mexican American War. He was the ideal candidate for a president in war times. He had the advantage of having General Robert E. Lee commanding his army after Joseph Johnston was injured in The Battle of Bull run. Robert E. Lee due to strong respect, character and performance in the Mexican American war was Lincoln’s first choice as the Union general but Lee’s patriotism to his home state
Lee initiated several great impacts on American history. One of these impacts being a newfound knowledge of mistakes made by Lee and his army, and how to not repeat them. He also left a lasting impression on the fabric of American history due to his brilliant military leadership. Despite his mistakes and miscalculations at the Battle of Gettysburg, he influenced many generations of soldiers and military leaders to come. If the Confederacy had been under a different leadership, the Civil War would have undertaken a much different turn, and the war would not have gone on as long as it did.
Stonewall Jackson, a general for the Confederate Army died in 1863 due to complications from a gunshot wound (“Thomas”). Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was a general for the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Jackson was most commonly known for his strategy and his men who were very skilled. Despite all of this Jackson was a brilliant tactician and a master at commanding his troops, which is why he is regarded as one of the best generals of the Civil War.
The types of challenges that the Generals have faced during The Battle of Gettysburg are, location, following orders, and the weaponry. In a life or death situation, the position of where your men are stationed is crucial due to the fact if the opposite army crawls up behind or has the higher ground then there is a greater chance of getting murdered. General’s must accept the system that a more experienced General has stated and to not promote their individual procedures. Finally, the rifles, pistols, muskets, cannons and other artillery the Generals had to work with may have been difficult to shield or perform with. In conclusion, the Generals faced many complications when battling in the Battle of
Popularly known as 'Old Fuss and Feathers' for his notorious vanity, egoism and love of military pomp and ceremony, General Winfield Scott was one of the ablest soldiers in the United States between George Washington and Ulysses S. Grant, although he is far less well-remembered at written about than either one. He was not a graduate of West Pint but a lawyer in Virginia who was directly commissioned as a captain in 1808 and served from 1814 until his death in 1866 as a general. By the beginning of the Civil War in 1861, when he supported the Union side and devised a strategy to defeat the South, he was general-in-chief. Like other famous generals of his generation, including Andrew Jackson, William Henry Harrison and Zachary Taylor, he also sought the presidency, but his 1852 campaign was a disaster. As a supporter of the Federalist and later the Whig Parties, he was politically out of favor with almost all the presidents he served, including Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Andrew Jackson and James K. Polk. He opposed their expansionist policies as well, as did most members of his party, and was privately critical of most of the wars he fought.
James Garfield, overall, had a big impact on the Civil War. He was known for his bravery during the Battle of Middle Creek and the Battle of Chickamauga. He is responsible for multiple Union victories and gained control of many patches of Confederate soil. Without Garfield, the war may have been more depressing for the Union, and may have ended much slower than it did.
The civil war had many leaders leading the war. Some of them were good and some of them did not do so well at leading. Some of them had well leading skills, some of the were in the military so they had experience, some of them knew how to handle the war and knew when to quit, but some of them did not have any of these leadership skills. Major Robert Anderson was one of these leaders. Because of his leadership skills, military experience, and military strategy, Robert Anderson was a good addition to the war.
John Buford was very significant in The Battle of Gettysburg because of his loyalty and devotion to the union, moreover, he had been determined to keep the high ground because of his knowledge that it would be critical in order for a victory. John Buford was born on March 4, 1826 in in Woodford County, Kentucky. He was the first son of John and Anne Bannister Howe Watson Buford. There had been 15 siblings from both his parents first marriages that he grew up with. His grandfather also served in the “Virginia cavalry in the Revolution, serving under Col. Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee, father of Gen. Robert E. Lee.” Buford’s mother died of cholera in 1835, and the family moved to Rock Island, Illinois. He attended Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois
Winfield Scott was a true American hero. Serving in 3 wars and numerous other battles and conflicts, he left a legacy that was talked about for over 5 decades. He served in the War of 1812, the Mexican War, and the Civil War. He began his military career and advanced quickly in the ranks. He was a formidable leader and very studious in military tactics. A big man, he stood at 61/2 feet tall, and demanded respect both when in uniform and without. He was referred to as "Old Fuss and Feathers" because of his regard for military procedures and wear of military uniforms. He wrote the first complete manual of military tactics in the U.S. Army in 1825. He later expanded it with the completion of Infantry Tactics in 1835.
Ulysses S. Grant, mostly known as our 18th president, was often described as a drunken military brute during the Civil War and was also described as a strong, influential leader in his time. When the Civil War began, he was quick to volunteer, and due to his efforts in the Mexican-American war, he was promoted to command a regiment in Illinois. From here, with union war strategies and support from President Lincoln, he began his rise to power, one fort and victory at a time. Even though he had won many battles and was credited as a hero during the war, Grant still suffered his fair share of failures and losses. Many of these losses came from his stubbornness regarding his strong will to win and refusal to give up. He was a determined officer
Possibly two of the most well-known Generals Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee, both lead armies in the American Civil War. Although they were on opposing sides, they had similarities in character and as well as their military strategy. Their personalities and their basic characteristics compelled their military decisions and strategies during the American Civil War. Ulysses S. Grant was known to be “shy, but not coy; pleasant and affable, but not gregarious; dignified, but not aloof; self-confident, but not sanctimonious; purposeful, but not ambitious; sensitive, but not sentimental. Grant was at once placid and a grand latent force”. He was also known to not be noticed in a room full of greater egos. His military rival, Robert E. Lee was known to be honorable, even though, he was opposed to slavery, he did not want to betray his neighbors. He made the decision to fight for the Confederacy even though President Lincoln had offered him the command of the federal forces, but he still turned it down. Regardless of who won the war or who surrendered to whom, they are both considered to be two of the best military leaders of all time.
Throughout the Civil War, there were many great leaders that led the Union to victory. George G. Meade was one of many. He showed great leadership skills not only in multiple battles of the Civil War, but in the bloodiest battle, Gettysburg. He paved the way for the Union’s success. George Meade was a great general who fought bravely in the war and ultimately helped the Union win at Gettysburg because he helped repel Lee’s troops simultaneously.
He did not receive the fame of General Lee, or General Meade but his contribution to the Civil War was just as important. He should be remembered as a man who chose to take a stand against the Confederates at Gettysburg. John Buford made the decision to defend the land at Gettysburg and it was this decision that led to Gettysburg being the place of the biggest and bloodiest battle of the American Civil War. This battle was a huge turning point in the war. This battle lead to Union victory in the battle and in Civil War. John Buford should be thought of as one of the greatest Union officers of the American Civil War due to this
General William T. Sherman put it best when he said "War is Hell"( Foote 1 ). The Civil War was the largest war fought on American soil. Over a million lives were lost and millions more were affected. Billions of dollars were spent by the United States and billions were spent by the Confederate States to fund this war.
While Lincoln is more remembered in history, on the other side of the coin is Nathan Bedford Forrest. Even though he was on the losing side, he was still well respected by people on both sides of the war, unlike Lincoln who was hated by the South. He went down as a great general and a great tactician in the Civil War. However, unlike Lincoln, his reputation is blown out of proportion and misinformed by bias. In the South, he was remembered as a