As a student of military history, I can tell you our Civil War is unique in one regard. The history was and is recorded by Southern-leaning writers. I think the North just wanted to get it over with and re-unite the nation. In spite of starting out with the best generals, the South had no chance of winning as long as the North didn’t quit.

The Confederate Generals who were exceptional leaders in my opinion were Lee, Longstreet, Johnston, Jackson and a few on the brigade level. These men fought for their state’s right to leave the Union as prescribed by laws. Few states engender the loyalty that many did a hundred and sixty years ago. My ancestors from Southern Illinois had no slaves and probably hadn’t seen one. Few Confederate soldiers owned a slave or could afford one. They fought for the same reason many far right groups exist today — states rights and disdain for the Federal Government.

I realize the Federal Government wanted to appeal to Southerners. Many who had fought in the civil War were still alive and they wanted their sons and grandsons to volunteer and obey the draft during World War I. They named bases for Confederate generals. Why they would name one after Braxton Bragg, who was an incompetent, I don’t know. Hood was a brash Texan who squandered his men. He squandered more with each of his body parts he lost. The Southern Generals were almost always fighting with less troops, equipment, and supplies. That may be why Americans like the underdog.

Great Northern Generals were Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Buford, and Thomas. Both sides had colonels distinguishing themselves. The Civil War was bloody and often fought hand-to-hand requiring much bravery; both sides should be honored for it.