Who do you believe was the greatest American General?

Question

including the generals that led troops for the Confederacy and the Continental Congress, because no matter what sentiments are they are all Americans.

Answer 1

George Washington or George Patton.

Answer 2

General Robert E. Lee... definitely, Lee... his principals were stronger than his loyalty to the Union and the Union Army. I would have served under that man in an instant and followed him into Hell because he deserved such respect.

Grant was a drunk and Sheridan was a psychotic killer and Sherman was on an ego trip and a misfit besides. Custer should have been shot while still a lieutenant screwing everything up. Zachery Taylor (Old Ironsides) was a great leader, too as was Stonewall Jackson. Quantrell was probably the best Guerilla leader..

Then, of course, there was the West Point class the stars fell on... with some of the greatest Generals in American History as part of the class.... MacArthur, Eisenhower, Patton, Bradly etc.

Don't forget the Navy types... Farragut and John Paul Jones were brave men who were very respected by their men and feared by the enemy. Nemitz, Forrestal and others were great, too... men who were what was needed when they were needed.

I have no use for the frontier Generals because of what they did to the Indians.

Picking just One American General is hard... but I'd still pick Lee.

Answer 3

That is truly a difficult question...being a former Marine I want to say Lt. Gen. L. "Chesty" Puller. A legend in the Corps. Patton of course was one of a kind. The hardest of all comes down to the choice between George Washington and Robert E. Lee...both great generals. Lee a man of impecable character and but for logistical reasons may have led the south to victory. I have to say though that considering the great hardships faced by Washingtons army, command must have seemed an impossible task. But Washington also was a man of great character and great determination...the one man who stepped up to the plate and led this nation into existence...therefore I have to say Washington was our greatest general.

Answer 4

George S. Patton. He was a man's man, and a true military genius. His only loyalty was to the US flag and his troops. No soldier can wish for more than a general who loves his troops.

General Patton also recognized the reality of war. It is an ugly, horrible thing to be avoided at all costs. That is why he fought as cruel and violent as possible, so that future generations would know the price of battle.

Answer 5

General George Washington

Answer 6

General John Abizaid

Answer 7

General Robert E. Lee.

Answer 8

You may know him from his work on CNN or Fox today but when i was in the 1st Infantry Division he was my Division Commander MG Grange.

He is only one of two officers that inspired loyalty to themselves. He was the embodiment of the old joke of I would follow that man to hell. He did an outstanding job as CG. He was someone you could look up to and someone who always had the right plan at the right time.

He gets my vote.

Answer 9

Gen Lee
Why?
He outfought, outthought and flanked EVERY General sent against him. Grant had the Gumption to spend his men to grind Lee to a nub so he has a place in the list. However he had a simple plan, ATTACK, then slide to the next point then ATTACK ect. Lee extended the war, for good or ill.

Answer 10

Stonewall Jackson is my pick, without him RE Lee was just a 'beloved' general. I like general who led from the front, of course he paid with his life for his command style.