*Includes pictures and maps of battles.
*Includes a bibliography of every general.
Despite the fact that the Civil War began over 150 years ago, it remains one of the most widely debated topics in America today, with Americans arguing over its causes, reenacting its famous battles, and arguing over which general was better than others. Americans continue to be fascinated by the Civil War icons who made the difference between victory and defeat in the war's great battles.
In particular, the Confederates have been the most popular topics of Civil War history, Foremost among the South's generals were the icons of the Army of Northern Virginia, led by Robert E. Lee and his most trusted subordinates, James Longstreet, Stonewall Jackson, and JEB Stuart. The Confederacy also had its share of controversial generals, notably Patrick Cleburne and Nathan Bedford Forrest. Cleburne was incredibly effective but controversial after suggesting the South should arm its slaves, while Forrest was controversial for the alleged massacre of black Union soldiers at Fort Pillow.
While all eyes were fixed on the Eastern theater at places like Manassas, Richmond, the Shenandoah Valley and Antietam, Ulysses S. Grant went about a steady rise up the ranks through a series of successes in the West. Grant eventually came east to face Lee in 1864. Phil Sheridan, his trusted subordinate, came with and operated the Army of the Potomac's cavalry until the end of the war as well. Sheridan proved to be one of the few generals in the war who could competently lead infantry and cavalry.
Synonymous with barbarity in the South, William Tecumseh Sherman is lauded as a war hero in the North, and modern historians consider him the harbinger of total war. Military historian B. H. Liddell Hart famously declared that Sherman was "the first modern general."
While there is a never ending stream of acclaim going to generals like Grant, Lee, and Sherman, General George H. Thomas has managed to fly under the radar. Thomas scored almost inconceivable successes at Missionary Ridge, Franklin, and Nashville. Thomas also skillfully fought at Perryville, Stones River, and in Sherman's Atlanta Campaign, but he's best remembered as "The Rock of Chickamauga." Thomas' heroics prevented the destruction of the Union army at that battle and allowed it to successfully retreat to Chattanooga.