People of the Civil War

And yet another West Point Graduate, George Gordon Meade lived from 1815 to 1872. He was also once named the commander of the Army of Potomac in late July of 1863. He was also the leader at the battle of Gettysberg. He was then criticized by many, including Lincoln for not following Lee’s army after Gettysberg.

Another General was William T. Sherman whom led his troops in the infamous march from Atlanta to Savanna Georgia. He is also famous for Sherman “Bow Ties”.

And finally we have Joshua Chamberlain from Maine. He graduated and then taught in a seminary school in Maine. Eventually he took two years leave of absence to go and teach in Europe, but ended up joining the army. He leader of the 20^th Maine historic stand on Little Round Top at the battle of Gettysberg on July 4^th, 1863.

And now for the Southern United States leaders. We will start with another commonly known one. General Robert E. Lee lived from 1807 to 1870. He was from Virginia. He was another graduate of West Point , and also another another person who fought in the Mexican War. Lee was offered command of the Union Armies by Lincoln in 1861, but Lee refused and resigned his commission in the U.S. Army. He felt his first priority was to his state, Virginia. He believed in neither slavery or succession.

Another West Point Graduate from Virginia was Thomas J. Jackson. He was another whom served in the Mexican War. He was an instructor at VMI and took his students to watch John Browns hanging. He became famous for moving his army very quickly. They called themselves, “Jackson’s Foot Calvary.” he earned his nickname of Stonewall at the first battle of Manassas, also known as Bull Run, where he was said to have stood like a “Stone wall. He ended up being killed by his own men at the battle of Chancellorsville on the first day of May of 1863.

Another West Point Graduate from Virginia was General J.E.B. (Jeb) Stuart Confederate Calvary leader. He was one of Lee’s most trusted generals. Lee once called him the “eyes and the ears’ of his army. He became famous for making “rides” around the Union Army. He ended up getting criticized for showing up late at Gettysberg. In the end the battle of Yellow Tevern took his life.

Nathan Bedford Forest was a cavalry commander. He started the KKK after the war, and tried to disband it 4 years after it started. Evidently he wasn’t to successful at stopping that.

Another West Point, Virginian, who served in the Mexican War was George Edward Pickett that lived from 1825 to 1875. he is most famous for his role in the battle at Gettysberg. He led his three divisions against the center Union line. He was very bitter after the war because he felt he was wrongly blamed for the defeat.

And finally, our final leader, also a graduate of West Point was James Longstreet from South Carolina. He served with Lee which he called “My Old War Horse.” Many people blamed him for the Southern loss of Gettysberg.

So as you have seen… there were several leaders in the Civil War. Many of them died in battle, but they died protecting what they all believed in.

What do you think the United States would be like today if we would have lost?