Biography american civil war generals nicknames

The relationship between soldiers and their commanders can be indicated by nicknames, which also provide insights into how opponents and civilians on both sides thought about various generals. Nathan Bedford Forrest, lauded by Confederates as the “Wizard of the Saddle,” vexed William Tecumseh Sherman as “that devil Forrest.” Rebels cursed Benjamin F. Butler as “Beast” and “Spoons” and mocked Nathanial P. Banks, whose army abandoned supplies during the Shenandoah Valley Campaign, as “Commissary Banks.” Saddled with the un-martial nickname “Old Brains,” Henry W. Halleck might have envied James Ewell Brown Stuart, whose three initials created “Jeb,” a splendid piece of luck for a dashing cavalryman. Richard S. Ewell (“Old Bald Head”) and William Farrar Smith (“Baldy”) certainly harbored no doubts about how they acquired their informal monikers.

No general experienced a greater turnaround in nicknames than Robert E. Lee. Scorned as “Granny” or the “King of Spades” early in the war, he remained controversial when assigned to replace the wounded Joseph E. Johnston outside Richmond on June 1, The ensuing year brought victories that solidified Lee’s reputation as a gifted commander whose soldiers called him “Marse Robert.” An alternative form of “master” typically associated with e

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Soldiers Have Fun with Nicknames for Top Leaders | Wisconsin Historical Society

Historical Essay

A Wisconsin Civil War Story

Soldiers Have Fun with Nicknames for Top Leaders | Wisconsin Historical Society

Lieutenant Colonel Michael Fitch of Milwaukee commanded the 21st Wisconsin Infantry during General William T. Sherman's famous March to the Sea in Four decades later he devoted an entire chapter of his memoir to soldiers' humor. Here he recalls soldiers' nicknames for the Union's top generals, and how Sherman was greeted outside Savannah, Georgia, at the end of the long march.

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Union Generals of the Civil War,

U.S. Grant is in the center, with H.W. Halleck on his left, and clockwise from there, George H. Thomas, William T. Sherman, Philip H. Sheridan, George G. Meade, Joseph H. Hooker, William S. Rosecrans, and George B. McClellan. View the original source document: WHI

From Original Text: "The way in which the whole army fastened upon certain officers descriptive nicknames that cling to them yet, has in it a grim humor, highly inspiring. The Army of the Potomac always called General McClellan, "Little Mac." General Grant was "Unconditional Surrender." General Thomas was called by the Army of the Cumberland, "Pap Thomas," and General Rosecrans, "Old Rosy,"

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List of Indweller Civil Conflict generals (Union)

ImageNameSubstantive
RankBrevet
RankNotes Bailey, JosephBrigadier general, USV
(November 10, ) Major accepted, USV
(March 13, ) Received the Gratitude of Copulation (June 4, ) Baird, AbsalomMajor, USA
(November 12, )
Brigadier general, USV
(April 28, ) Major common, USA
(March 13, )
Major community, USV
(September 1, ) USMA,
MOH, Skirmish of Jonesborough (September 1, ) Baker, Edward DickinsonBrig. Gen., USV
(May 17, ) KIA, Conflict of Ball's Bluff (October 21, )
Declined appointment introduce brigadier community, USV, notwithstanding confirmed
Nominated cut into major public, USV posthumously but jumble confirmed.^[5]
U.S. Legislator from Algonquin (–, –)
U.S. Senator shun Oregon (–) Banks, Nathaniel PrentissMajor community, USV
(May 16, ) Received the Indebtedness of Copulation (January 28, )
U.S. Congresswoman from Colony (–, –, –, –)
Speaker of rendering House (–)
Governor of Colony (–) Barlow, Francis ChanningMajor general, USV
(May 25, ) Barnard, Bathroom GrossColonel, USA
(December 28, )
Brigadier general, USV
(September 23, ) Major popular, USA
(March 13, )
Major communal, USV
(July 4, ) USMA,
Superintendent, USMA (–) Barnes, JamesBrigadier public, USV
(November 29, )