Was Civil War General "Robert E.Lee" A Great General?

Answer 1

Lee, was a great leader and could out smart his incompetent foes most of the time however he made his share of mistakes.

At Gettysburg for example he should have never fought the way he did on the second day he should have listened to Longstreet and try to get between the Union Army and Washington. His stubbornness got the better of him when he ordered Pickett's charge on the 3rd day.

Answer 2

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RE:
Was Civil War General "Robert E.Lee" A Great General?

Answer 3

Robert E. Lee exhibited all the qualities of a great leader:

-Having graduated 2nd in his class at West Point and never had a demerit (the only person to ever do so to this day) he was academically qualified and respected for his intellect.

-He came up the ranks through the army corps of engineers and served in the Mexican war. He learned the importance of reconnaissance and intelligence from fellow officers and how to use it from Gen. Winfield Scott.

-His personal character was both admired and revered. He lead by example, something that is taught in the military and by doing so, gains the loyalty of the rank and file.

-As any great leader, he knew how to surround himself with competent subordinates that he could trust. He knew how to motivate and get the best out of people.

-He wasn’t afraid to delegate responsibility to subordinates. He held them accountable but at the same time, took ultimate responsibility for their success or failure. Always was a man to praise his subordinates and never take credit for himself. This is a leadership quality few people possess and those that do are extremely successful regardless of what they do.

-Lee wasn’t afraid to take a risk, and learned from his mistakes. He wasn’t the type to take a stupid risk, he carefully thought out every move he made. Although Gettysburg will go down as his biggest mistake, it was a calculated risk that failed. Unlike other Generals who gave orders without thinking about them first and failing. Chancellorsville was an even greater risk that paid off. The Seven Days Battles were very risky and likewise Lee was successful.

Answer 4

What distinguished Lee was * his ability to psychologically size up whomever the commanding general was on the Federals side - and use that understanding in deriving his campaign strategies * his recognition that he would have to be tactically aggressive in the field to help compensate for the South's resource scarcities. * his ability to instill (whether it was his creation or not) near god-like reverence from his men. This was not so in early 1862 -- but by the end of 1862 it certainly was so. * without Jackson, Lee's lack of tactical skills were laid bare (see his blunders at Gettysburg). In the strategic sense, he was far above the others, but overwhelming resources beat him, no matter how great a strategic general he was. Regarding Jackson, his talent was on the tactical level, leading from the front....which ultimately was his undoing, being shot by North Carolina infantry at Chanclorsville (sp). I doubt their faith in God made them better generals.

Answer 5

I think General Robert E. Lee was a great general.

However, the Union and the Confederacy did have their share of other great generals. The U.S.A had Hancock, Sheridan, and Thomas - the C.S.A. had Lieut. Gen. Richard S. Ewell, General Joseph E. Johnston, and General James Longstreet.

Answer 6

Most certainly.

What distinguished Lee was

* his ability to psychologically size up whomever the commanding general was on the Federals side - and use that understanding in deriving his campaign strategies

* his recognition that he would have to be tactically aggressive in the field to help compensate for the South's resource scarcities.

* his ability to instill (whether it was his creation or not) near god-like reverence from his men. This was not so in early 1862 -- but by the end of 1862 it certainly was so.

Answer 7

I'd say he was. He started out the war out-gunned, out-manned and under supplied, yet he managed to last as long as he did. His defeat of Hooker at Chancellorsville was an unbelievable achievement. Though, sadly, hubris caught up with him at Gettysburg.

Answer 8

He did graduate at the top of his class at West Point, by all accounts had an excellent grasp of strategy, and was one of the most feared and respected leaders of the civil war. Taking all of that into account, calling him "great" would be largely a matter of opinion.

Answer 9

It is a not so unknown fact that Lee had had a stroke prior to Gettysburg. His health likely affected his decision making.

Answer 10

How bout adding on the words, admired, respected and most of all loved. A true gentleman.