One thing. THE single greatest American general of the Revolution was Daniel Morgan. Other than that, spot on.
Glad to see another Pap Thomas fan, Dale. It's a shame that the site of his greatest victory--Nashville--doesn't even have a statue of him.
And Christopher: I know it's uncool to say so, but the best American general of the Revolution (or at least half of it) was Benedict Arnold.
I agree that Arnold was the best of Washington's commanding generals, until he turned coat - I agree with those historians who say had Arnold died at Saratoga, he would have been the greatest hero of the War after Washington.
It's also hard to argue that Morgan wasn't essential, since he was key at some very big Continental victories (Saratoga and Cowpens).
But Greene is definitely the unsung hero of the War for Independence. If you haven't yet, read Washington's General for recent scholarship on Greene. It's a fairly quick read.
But as a Southerner and former Virginian, I am honor-bound to take issue with your choice of the Virginia-born and bred Yankee General Thomas.
When I volunteered at The Virginia Historical Society a decade ago, I learned that reason the Society had the ceremonial sword of General Thomas (who was known as the "Rock of Chickamauga") in its possession is because it was donated by his devoutly Confederate sisters who wanted to retain nothing that belonged to the General because of his "treachery" to the "Cause".
Haven't read too much on Greene, but wasn't he the guy that outran his troops by 30 miles in retreat in North Carolina? I remember something like that from Shaara's A Glorious Cause. And according to Shaara, he had tried to get Washington removed from command (replaced by himself of course) for months prior to that.
Agree completely on Morgan (with the first commenter) from my limited reading.
Hulk:
Yep--started liking the guy from the first time I read about him. He was also something of a scholar, too, compiling the first Paiute (IIRC) dictionary and taking detailed sketches of wildlife while stationed out west before the war. The lack of a statue is not a surprise, alas. There is one in DC, but it's not easy to find. Strangely fitting, I suppose.
Jay:
Yeah, well. I also like a lot of the Confederate generals, if that's any consolation.
Don't forget that Thomas' sisters permanently turned his portrait to face the wall of their house, too. But I do understand that Southhampton County has taken to its native son of late, and actually boasts of being his birthplace.
Daisy:
That's Horatio Gates you are thinking of. Definitely not Greene.
I'm Hunk, not Hulk. Hunk is not the strongest one there is. Hunk will not smash puny humans.
Ah, Gates, that's right. Mea Culpa.
Although I still like Morgan better. Just my kind of guy I guess.
Morgan is definitely the "common man's" general. A LOT to like about him.
Speaking of Morgan, I was very sad to see on my last trip to Virginia a few weeks ago that the Morgan County courthouse in West Virginia was recently gutted by fire.
Gah. Sorry, Hunk.
Now that's a phrase I never imagined using.
Oh, I like Morgan, too. "Leathery" seems to be a word that fits to a T.
His conduct of the battle of Cowpens was a tactical masterpiece.
Here's a description of the Battle of Cowpens from the National Park Service site.
"Form, form, my brave fellows! Old Morgan was never beaten!"
- Daniel Morgan at Cowpens
It also mentions a little about Greene's strategy of "fight, lose, get up and fight again" which literally wore out Cornwallis' army, causing the British general to seek a different theater in Virginia. And we all know what happened there.
Sorry for hogging your comment boxes, Dale, but I LOVE this stuff!
As a Civil War novice, I think Josh Chamberlain would be a man worth having a few beers with. I would also love to be a fly on a wall in a post-war conversation between him and General Lee.
Funny how all the firepower is directed at Dale's Favorite Generals.
The Rock of Chickamauga was all right as Yankee generals go - granted, a low hurdle to clear - but his rep as a slowpoke was, I think, well deserved, even setting aside the unfair case of Nashville.*
Now, if you want to talk about underrated Union generals, I think Ord, Reynolds and Gibbon are worth a mention.
I heartily second the nod to Mr. Stirling.
* In case I sound like a Southron, I am proud to add that all my ancestors wore blue.
On my recent vacation to my native City of Detroit I happened to drive right by St. Joseph's monastery-- although I had heard of Fr. Solanus I had no idea where it was located-- having been exiled to the frigid reaches of Minnesota for the last 30+ years. It was really weird; we were on our way to visit my grandparents' graves at Forest Lawn cemetery on Van Dyke, coming from Belle Isle up Mt. Elliott and there it was... so i stopped the van and went in. The chapel seems to have suffered a bit from post V2 enthusiasm but there were a number of people gathered before the tabernacle in prayer. Kind of neat.
Tried to see Sweetest Heart of Mary but every gate was locked.
Done.
Sans explanations, and come to think of it, I didn't tag anyone else yet... maybe later.
peace,
Meanwhile, back on point....
-Saints- St. John Neumann (NOY-mann,) 1st Archbishop of my City With All Its Works/Pomps. Would have a few choice words about the current impasses between the diocese and its high school teachers- risking a third strike in nine years.
-Americanos- George Washington. Nothing happens without him. Or Ben Franklin. Nothing happens with as much style or innovation.
-The Blessed- What, no JP II or Mamma Teresa? Would have to be fascinating.
How about another list -- 5 fictional characters you'd like to talk to?
Commenting by HaloScan
