Who was the South's most interesting General in the war betweeen the states?

Question

Not (necessarily) best - but most interesting...

Answer 1

Unequivocally: Nathan Bedford Forest. As a man with less than a sixth grade education he stood out among his peers in terms of tactical skill, personal valor, courage, and the art of intimidation. He was a practiced illusionist would could lure a superior force into surrendering by making his ranks look greatly inflated. He was a Southern Gentleman in the classic sense, upholding honor and chivalry. He was a fascinating, though less than perfect, man. He might have been a true hero of the South, even more than Lee, had it not been for his post-war involvement with the Klan.

Answer 2

The cult of Robert E. Lee as the "best" General in the American Civil War is still alive as seen by the first response to this question. The perfect southern gentleman, right?

I am split between Generals James Longstreet and Joseph E. Johnston. They are both as interesting, as are the works they wrote.

Answer 3

Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson was the best and the most interesting General of the South.

His brilliant tactics thwarted and defeated several Union armies and after his death Lee was forced on the defensive after his failed offensive at Gettysburg. If Jackson had been leading the left wing instead of Ewell on the first day at Gettysburg, the South would have taken Cemetery Hill and the Union army would have been smashed on the third day of battle.

Stonewall was a devout Christian and very intelligent but had many small foibles in his personality that caused people to both look askance at him and to love him dearly. His troops called him "Tom Fool" for his "weirding" ways but also called him "Ol' Blue Light", awed by his flashing blue eyes when he fearlessly led them against the "Yankee invaders".

The "Tide of the Confederacy" actually crested at Jackson's flank attack at the Battle of Chancellorsville but the "recession" was not recognized until Gettysburg, not long after his death. As Lee said in his message to the dying Stonewall - "you have lost your left arm, but I have lost my right arm".

Answer 4

There are quite a few:

Lee - he had allegiance to both the U.S. and to Virginia, but chose his state over his country; his outstanding military career coupled with his family's history makes his life very interesting
Stonewall Jackson - fervent religious leader, fairly able tactician but with an affinity for the attack
Nathan Forrest - strong leader of irregular cavalry early in the war who became a true pest and eventual legend with his success against the Union; not an illiterate, often misquoted as saying "get there fustest with the mostest" - he was an successful businessman and was not uneducated

Answer 5

Certainly the most interesting man, who happened to be a (the) General of the South - Robert E. Lee.

Answer 6

Robert E. Lee was indeed the most interesting. He was originally a general for the North, but when Virginia voted to join the South, he told his superiors (who were planning to use him to wipe out the South) he would follow his home State. He is recorded as saying he knew it was a losing battle, but he would fight for the South anyway.

Answer 7

I would go with J.E.B. Stuart the cavalry commander who was known as "Lee's eyes" because he developed the art of cavalry reconnaissance to such a high degree. He once rode around the entire opposing army to find out about their positions and numbers.
A really good question with lots of good possible answers.

Answer 8

Unless you're a Civil War afficianado, you probably have never heard of A.P. Hill. Even to Civil War history buffs, Hill is a "nebulous, inconsistent figure, the most difficult to characterize of Lee's generals." One historian went so far as to term him "the mystery man of the Confederacy." Even one of his biographies is aptly titled "Lee's Forgotten General."

And yet, Ambrose Powell Hill "as much as anyone symbolized the Southern Confederacy -- its enthusiasm, its pride, its incongruity, its sacrifice."

Answer 9

Stonewall Jackson of course. And as for others comments that Lee didnt own slaves, Hogwash. See link.

Answer 10

Robert E. Lee. Not only was he the best, but he didn't own slaves or believe in slavery. He fought entirely out of loyalty to the south.