Union and Confederate Generals of the Civil War

 

There were several iconic generals that fought in the Civil War. They helped set examples for people and soldiers today, and are a large part of American history. Although the Union and Confederate generals were fighting each other, some had similarities and friendships with each other.

The most iconic Union general was Ulysses S. Grant. He was born in 1822 and was the 18^th President of the United States. Grant led the Union army to victory in several of the wars in which he fought. In 1843, Grant graduated from West Point and served in the Mexican-American War. At the beginning of the Civil War, Grant was general of the Western campaigns, but later his effectiveness in the west led to Lincoln promoting Grant to commander over the entire Union army in 1863. He was a great strategist and general throughout the entire Civil War. His popularity helped him become the 18^th president of the U.S., and he worked to end any remaining Confederate evidence. Grant helped push the United States through the Reconstruction period by rebuilding.

Like Grant, Confederate General Robert E. Lee was a strong iconic general. He was born in 1807, and was the son of a Revolutionary War officer. Lee served in the Mexican-American War before the Civil War. Though Lee believed in the states being united, he followed his home state of Virginia and denied the request of a senior position in the U.S. Army. He often took several risks throughout the Civil War and they frequently worked. Although Lee is known as one of the most skillful Generals in history, he could not turn the war’s tide leading to the defeat of the Confederate Army. When the war ended, Lee later became the president of what is now known as Washington and Lee University and supported the Reconstruction movement. Both Lee and Grant became great friends after the war, and they both often showed their Christian beliefs throughout the war. Lee became a popular figure throughout the world and even after his death.

Philip Henry Sheridan was an important cavalry officer for the Union Army. He was born in 1831 and dedicated his whole adult life in serving for the Union Army. Sheridan often employed a tactic called “scorched earth”, which means he would burn any easy collective resources in the cities they conquered. He is remembered for the burning of the Shenandoah Valley, and is remembered for chasing Lee and his men in Appomattox leading to the surrender of the Confederate Army. In 1888 he became General of the U.S. Army under President Grover Cleveland.

Like Sheridan, Jeb Stuart was also an important cavalry general. He was born in 1833, and he liked to have fun, leading to his cavalier image. Although Jeb liked to entertain, his good work caught Lee’s eye, and when joining the Confederates it boosted the army’s morale. Stuart graduated from West Point in 1854, and is remembered for trying to calm tensions during the Bleeding Kansas conflict. He was also part of the detachment that captured John Brown at Harpers Ferry. His absence from Gettysburg resulted in its outcome because on his way to Gettysburg, he was surprise attacked by Sheridan and his men. While fighting Sheridan’s men, Stuart was mortally injured; this led to his death in 1864.

These men are some of the most historical soldiers in American history. All of these men fought with great strength, and were highly educated. These men were remembered by both the Union and Confederate sides, and they will always be remembered by Americans today.