Generals of the Battle
Robert E. Lee:Robert E. Lee was born at a plantation in Virginia. He was born into a military family just like Jefferson Davis. The Lee family was on of Virginias first families arriving in the 1600’s. Lee rarely spoke of his childhood and not much was said of his relationship with his father. Lee then took up the family name and decided to go to West point, just as Jefferson Davis of the Confederates did. He went in 1825 with a focus on engineering. He graduated second in his class. He was then awarded second lieutenant in the corps of engineers.
When the war broke out, he resigned his position and joined the forces of the south. He was given the power of commander of the Confederate army of Northern Virginia, and soon would become a famous military leader. He would lead the south to several victories over our much larger and better equipped north. He led the cavalry and was given the name of “Light Horse Harry.” He then went on to become the president of Washington College in Virginia, which he would hold until his death.
When the war broke out, he resigned his position and joined the forces of the south. He was given the power of commander of the Confederate army of Northern Virginia, and soon would become a famous military leader. He would lead the south to several victories over our much larger and better equipped north. He led the cavalry and was given the name of “Light Horse Harry.” He then went on to become the president of Washington College in Virginia, which he would hold until his death.
Ulysses S. Grant:
Ulysses S. Grant, the commander-in-chief of the Union forces, was born
April 27, 1822. Originally born of the name Hiram, Ulysses S. Grant, acquired
the name Ulysses upon his admission to the military academy, West Point. Somehow
he had been registered as Ulysses Grant instead of Hiram, so in order to not be
kicked out, he immediately changed his name to Ulysses, rolling with the
punches. Grant graduated 21st out of 39 in his West Point class, and was immediately made
lieutenant, stationed at St. Louis, Missouri. This is where he would eventually
meet his future wife, Julia.
Grant was sent off to fight the Mexican-American war before Grant and
Julia could wed. He fought and learned under the leadership of Zachary Taylor
during this time. The Battle of
Shiloh was the battle of the Civil War that put Grant’s name on the map.
Although it was a very bloody battle, and Congress gave Grant a lot of harsh
criticism, it gave Grant the recognition he needed to eventually become head of
command of the Union’s army.
Ulysses S. Grant, the commander-in-chief of the Union forces, was born
April 27, 1822. Originally born of the name Hiram, Ulysses S. Grant, acquired
the name Ulysses upon his admission to the military academy, West Point. Somehow
he had been registered as Ulysses Grant instead of Hiram, so in order to not be
kicked out, he immediately changed his name to Ulysses, rolling with the
punches. Grant graduated 21st out of 39 in his West Point class, and was immediately made
lieutenant, stationed at St. Louis, Missouri. This is where he would eventually
meet his future wife, Julia.
Grant was sent off to fight the Mexican-American war before Grant and
Julia could wed. He fought and learned under the leadership of Zachary Taylor
during this time. The Battle of
Shiloh was the battle of the Civil War that put Grant’s name on the map.
Although it was a very bloody battle, and Congress gave Grant a lot of harsh
criticism, it gave Grant the recognition he needed to eventually become head of
command of the Union’s army.
James Longstreet: Confederate- Lieutenant General, second in command of Lee. One of fewer officers not from Virginia. Large bearded man, he invented a trench and a theory of defensive warfare. His headquarters is always near Lee, and he opposes invading Pennsylvania.
Joshua L. Chamberlain: Union- Colonel, Prefers to be called "Lawrence", Professor of rhetoric at Bowdoin University. Speaks 7 languages and sings. He receives Commission in the 20th Regiment of Infantry, Maine volunteers. Spends a long night at Fredericksburg hiding behind a pile of corpses avoiding gunfire on the failed charge of the Irish brigade. He goes into Gettyburg with the survivors of Gettysburg which was not much. His young brother becomes his aide. They both dreamed of being soldiers and fighting and their wishes were granted on the dark rear slope of a small rocky hill call "Little Round Top"
Winfield Scott: Union- Major General, arrives to the battlefield spotlessly clean, head always up. All three days he is everywhere but in the end meets his old friend Lew Armistead at the top of Cemetary Hill.
J.E.B Stuart: Confederate- Lieutenant General, The banjo player and great leader of cavalry. He is always accurate with his reports, but loves to read about himself in Richmond newspapers. His one job is to keep Lee informed of the movement of the Union army but he fails.
Richard Ewell: Confederate-Lieutenant General, Eccentric, Brilliant, chosen by Lee to succeed to a portion of Stonewall Jackson's old command. One legged, He approaches gettysburg unsure of himself, as he is responsible for 20,000 men.
George Pickett: Confederate- Major General, Long hair and perfumed, who finished last in his class at West Point. In love with a girl half his age. Got into West Point through Abe Lincoln, and even though enemies no one can insult Lincoln in front of him. Ends up leading a failed charge later known as "Pickets Charge" on the third and final day.
John Buford: Union-Major General, Calvary soldier who held against General Longstreet at Thorofare Gap for 6 hours, waiting for help that never came. He is put in charge of 2 brigades of cavalry and is told to follow Lees army. First into Gettysburg.
John Reynolds: Union- Major General, finest soldier in the Union Army. Offered to command the Union army but declines because he would not be able to control the army from Washington so the offer is passed onto George Meade.
George Gordan Meade: Union- Major General, Bad tempered and full of self-pity. Put in charge 2 days before the battle and wishes to hold Grand Review but does not have time. So he sets up a line of defense along Pipe Creek hoping Lee will attack on the ground. His only decisive decision at this Battle is his last.
Jubal Early: Confederate- Major General, Commands one of Ewells Divisions. Bitter man who is alone. Ewell defers him, Longstreet hates him, Lee puts up with him but calls him "my bad old man".
