Generals of American Civil War

Learn about the leading Generals of the American Civil War for the Union and the Confederacy including Ulysses S. Grant, William Tecumseh Sherman, Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and more.

Union Generals

Ulysses S. Grant :

In the early days of the conflict, General Grant commanded the Army of Tennessee. He won at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson early on, gaining the moniker “Unconditional Surrender.” Grant was given the opportunity to oversee the entire Union Army by President Lincoln after scoring significant wins at Shiloh and Vicksburg. Grant engaged Confederate General Robert E. Lee in a number of engagements with the Army of the Potomac before eventually accepting his capitulation at the Appomattox Court House.

George McClellan :

After the First Battle of Bull Run, General McClellan was named the commander of the Union Army of the Potomac. McClellan shown himself to be a cautious commander. Even though his force was always significantly larger than the Confederate army, he always believed that he was outnumbered. At the Battle of Antietam, McClellan commanded the Union Army, but he was stripped of command after he declined to pursue the Confederates.

Generals of American Civil War — William Tecumseh Sherman

William Tecumseh Sherman :

Grant delegated General Sherman command during the Siege of Vicksburg and the Battle of Shiloh. After taking over leadership of his own army, he subsequently took Atlanta by force. His “march to the sea” from Atlanta to Savannah, during which he obliterated anything that could be used to stop his army, is what made him most renowned.

Joseph Hooker :

Major Civil War conflicts like the Battle of Antietam and the Battle of Fredericksburg were all under General Hooker’s command. He was given command of the entire Army of the Potomac after Fredericksburg. He didn’t stay in this position for very long because the Battle of Chancellorsville shortly followed, inflicting him with a severe loss. Just before the Battle of Gettysburg, Abraham Lincoln relieved him of command.

Winfield Scott Hancock :

One of the most capable and courageous leaders in the Union Army was General Hancock. He held command in a number of significant engagements, including the Battles of Antietam, Gettysburg, and Spotsylvania Court House. His gallantry and leadership at the Battle of Gettysburg are what made him most well-known.

George Thomas :

Many people rank General Thomas as one of the best Union generals of the Civil War. In the western theater of the conflict, he achieved a number of significant wins. He gained the moniker “the Rock of Chickamauga” thanks to his staunch defense at the Battle of Chickamauga. Additionally, he oversaw the Union’s decisive victory at the Battle of Nashville.

Confederate Generals

Robert E. Lee :

Throughout the Civil War, General Lee commanded the Confederate Army of Virginia. He was a talented general who, despite being significantly outnumbered, won several battles. The Second Battle of Bull Run, the Battle of Fredericksburg, and the Battle of Chancellorsville rank among his most significant triumphs.

Stonewall Jackson :

When the First Battle of Bull Run took place early in the conflict, General Jackson received the moniker “Stonewall.” It was stated that he stood like a “stone wall” when his forces remained firm against a powerful Union attack. Jackson was renowned for leading an aggressive force under his leadership that moved swiftly. Throughout the Valley Campaign, he triumphed in a number of fights in the Shenandoah Valley. At the Battle of Chancellorsville, Jackson’s own troops unintentionally killed him.

J.E.B. Stuart :

The Confederacy’s senior cavalry leader was General Stuart, a.k.a. “Jeb.” The First Battle of Bull Run, the Battle of Fredericksburg, and the Battle of Chancellorsville were just a few of the conflicts in which he took part. Despite his reputation as a talented commander, the Confederacy may have lost the Battle of Gettysburg because of a mistake he made. At the Battle of Yellow Tavern, Stuart was slain.

P.G.T. Beauregard :

In the opening conflict, General Beauregard led the South in taking Fort Sumter. Later, he participated in the battles of Shiloh and Bull Run. He is best known for repelling Union forces at St. Petersburg so that Robert E. Lee’s reinforcements could arrive.

Joseph Johnston :

At the First Battle of Bull Run, General Johnston led the Confederates to their first significant Civil War victory. He did not, however, get along well with Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederacy. While in charge of the Confederate army in the west, Johnston suffered some significant losses at Vicksburg and Chickamauga. At the end of the war, he gave his army to Union General Sherman.

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Generals of American Civil War