Union Generals

Union Generals of the Civil War

Commander in Chief Winfield Scott

The “Hero of the Niagara” in 1812 and his service as a general, the longest in American history. He was 75 when the Civil War breaks out.

The present Union Commander, he will in April of ’61 offer command of the Federal Army to Robert. E. Lee who refuses and resigns. Scott had stated Lee was “the very finest soldier he had ever seen”.

Scott will resign and General George McClellan will take command of Union forces November 1, 1861.

.Scott was a hero who had fought in 6 wars and put in over 47 years of military service. He lived long enough to see the Civil War end. Passing on May 29,1866 in West Point, N.Y. where he is buried.

Major General Irvin McDowell

October 15, 1818 – May 4, 1885

West Point Graduates 1838 ( Classmate of P.G.T.Beauregard)

Major General George B. McClellan

( “Little Mac”)

December 3, 1826 – October 29, 1885

West Point: Graduates 1846 (2nd in class of 59)

General in Chief – Nov.1,1861 to March 11,1862

Major General Henry Halleck

( “Old Brains”)

January 16, 1815 – January 9, 1872

West Point: Graduates 1839 (3rd in class of 39)

General in Chief – July 23,1862 – March 9,1864

Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant

( birth name Hiram Ulysses Grant.. friends called him “Sam”..wife called him “Ulyss” or “Mr. Grant” )

April 27, 1822 – July 23, 1885

West Point: Graduates 1843 (21st in class of 39)

General in Chief – March 10,1864-March 3,1869 .. his strategy of engaging Lee and continuing contact through attacks and siege effectively “finishes off” the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia .. receiving their surrender on April 9, 1865 at Appomattox .. from noted CSA General Robert E. Lee.

Major General William T. Sherman

( “Cump” to friends..”Uncle Billy” to his troops )

February 8, 1820 – February 14, 1891

West Point: Graduates 1840 (6th in class of 42)

Major General Ambrose Burnside

( “Burn”)

May 23, 1824 – September 13, 1881

West Point: Graduates 1847 (18th in class of 38)

Union Generals of the Civil War

Major General Joseph Hooker

( “Fightin’ Joe Hooker” )

November 13, 1814 – October 31, 1879

West Point: Graduates 1837 (29th in class of 50)

Major General George G. Meade

(“Old Snappin’ Turtle”)

December 31, 1815 – November 6, 1872

West Point: Graduates 1831 (19th in class of 56)

Major General Winfield Scott Hancock

( “Hancock the Superb” )

February 14,1824 – February 9, 1886

West Point: Graduates 1844 ( 18th in class of 25)

Major General Philip Kearney Jr. ( “The One-armed Devil” )

June 2, 1815 – September 1, 1862 (KIA-Battle of Chantilly)

Columbia College 1833 – Lawyer

First U.S. citizen to be awarded the “Légion d’honneur” for his duty in France before the Civil War.

General Winfield Scott once stated “Kearney was the bravest man I ever knew” !

Cavalry General Philip Sheridan

( “Little Phil” .. Hero of Battle of Cedar Creek )

March 6, 1831 – August 5, 1888

West Point: Graduates 1853 ( 34th in class of 52)

Major General John Sedgwick ( VI Corp)

( Beloved by troops who called him “Uncle John” )

September 13, 1813 – May 9, 1864 / KIA-Battle of Spotsylvania

West Point: Graduates 1837 (24th of class of 50)

Union Generals of the Civil War

Major General John Buford (Cavalry)

First Federal unit to engage at the Battle of Gettysburg ( July 1,1863 at 6am). Holds the rebel advance with only 2,400 troopers until reinforced by Reynolds 1st Corp 3 hours later. John will be dead from illness (typhoid) 5 months later.

March 4, 1826 – December 16, 1863

West Point: Graduates 1847 ( 16th of class of 38 )