Albert Sydney Johnston

We wrap of this week of the Greatest Generals who Ever Lived today with this picture of General Albert Sydney Johnston. Johnston was truly one of the best. He fought in the War for Texas Independence, serving under General Sam Houston. He fought in the Mexican American War, serving under Zachary Taylor. Then he served as a General in the War for Southern Independence. He was killed at the Battle of Shiloh early in the war, and it was a great loss for the South.

Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard

We continue to explore the greatest generals who ever lived this week on OPOD. Today, we feature P.G.T. Beauregard. Beauregard was an author, engineer, inventor, and masterful general. As tensions rose in 1861 between North and South, Beauregard was in command of the area around Charleston surrounding Ft. Sumter. The south was adamant that Sumter should not be resupplied by Union Ships. As it became apparent that the North intended to both supply and hold Ft. Sumter, Beauregard's men completely surrounded Ft. Sumter and Charleston Harbor. Always the gentleman though, he would send regular supplies of Brandy and Cigars to Union Major Anderson, who was in command of the fort. Anderson had known Beauregard at West Point, and wrote Lincoln that Beauregard was in command of Southern men, and that he could be assured that Beauregard would attack with "skill and sound judgment". That he did, and on April 12, 1861, Beauregard gave the order to attack Sumter. And the War Came.

James Ewell Brown Stuart

What salute to the World's Greatest Generals would be complete without a look at JEB Stuart. Stuart was a dashing officer, often sporting a peacock feather in his hat. On the battlefield he was all business, and one of the great Cavalry commanders of all time. Stuart was killed at the Battle of Yellow Tavern in the War. I find it interesting that he was only 31 years old at the time of his death. A short, but certainly magnificent life.

Stonewall

Man Week would not be complete without featuring one of the best generals of all time, General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson. Jackson remains a hero in the South to this day. He is remembered for helping to turn the tide at Bull Run, and sending the Union Army into a panic retreat back to Washington DC.

Jackson died from wounds he received at the Battle of Chancellorsville. Jackson and a small group of men rode behind enemy lines to survey the situation. Upon returning to his front line, the pickets mistook his group for the enemy, and fired upon them. Jackson was shot three times, although his wounds did not appear to be life threatening. As they were carrying him away on a stretcher, one of the medics was shot, and Stonewall was dropped, compounding his injuries. At first it looked like he would survive his injuries, but after his arm was amputated, he began to go down quickly. On Sunday, May 10, 1863, it was clear that he would not make it. He had some time to visit with his wife, and then he began to slip out of consciousness. As he was drifting off, he began to issue orders to General A. P. Hill. His last words were, "Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees". I find it interesting that both General Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, in their last moments, were calling out to General A.P. Hill.

This link is to an original newspaper article withh the obituary of Stonewall Jackson.

Man Week

We have spent a few weeks here looking at things like hats, and women voting, and fashion and so forth, so, this week is going to be Man Week. We are going to look throughout history, and feature the greatest generals that ever lived.

We kick this off with the greatest general of all times. General Robert E. Lee. We love Lee because he was the underdog, and he almost pulled it off. The south had fewer men, fewer weapons, and fewer supplies, but Lee was able to almost always fight to either a victory or a draw. Through it all, Lee remained a man of honor.


Lee died on October 12, 1870. During his last moments he was incoherent, and was calling on General A.P. Hill to bring his troops up. Then, his final words were, "Strike the Tent".

Southern Soldier

Old Soldier week comes to an end today, with this picture of an old Rebel Soldier. The picture was taken in 1913.

The South Will Rise Again!

Old Rebels

Today's OPOD was taken in 1917. It shows a nice group of Rebel soldiers. I am not sure where the picture was taken. This is a fine group of Southern Gentlemen. Zoom in on the picture, and notice how proud each man is standing. The other thing I notice about the picture is that they are holding the US flag. Many of the pictures of Veterans have the Rebels still holding their battle flag.

Old Soldiers

Today we have another great image of two old Civil War soldiers. This picture was taken in 1913 at the Gettysburg reunion. Looking at these two men, while they are shaking hands, I am wondering if their might still be just a touch of bad blood between them.