|UNION GENERALS||Jump to Confederate Generals|
|ABRAHAM LINCOLN (1809-1865)|
Known as "Honest Abe", and "The Great Emancipator", Abraham Lincoln was the most noted political figure of the Civil War Era. Lincoln was elected into presidency in 1861 and served a full first term and several months of his second term before being shot to death in April.
Highlights of Career: Elected into congress 1846. Became 16th president of the United States in 1861. Proposed declaration of war to Congress after southern secession issued Emancipation Proclamation January 1st 1863. Gave infamous Gettysburg Address November 19th 1863.
|ULYSSES S. GRANT (1822-1885)|
Perhaps the most successful and respected Union General during the Civil War. Granted command of the entire Union army by Lincoln after his success in capturing the Mississippi River. Led Union forced in the east after the fall of Confederate Vicksburg, defeated General Robert E. Lee in April 1965, thereby ending the Civil War. Was elected into presidency 3 years later.
Highlights of Career: Graduated 21st in his class at West Point. Won several key victories along the Mississippi in 1863, including the capture of Vicksburg and Shiloh. Promoted to Lieutenant General in 1863, a rank last held by George Washington. Accepted the surrender of the Confederacy on April 9th 1865 in Appomattox. Became 18th president of the United States in 1868.
|WILLIAM TECUMSEH SHERMAN (1820-1891)|
Served as Brigadier General under Lincoln at the beginning of the Civil War. A major factor in the battles of Shiloh and Vicksburg under the command of Ulysses S. Grant. Defeated Confederate armies at Chattanooga and Knoxville. Began his famous March to Sea from Atlanta to Savannah. Introduced concept of Total War. Captured Charleston and the state capitol Columbia in February 1865.
Highlights of Career: Graduated West Point in 1840. Presented the city of Savannah to the Union on Christmas Day, 1864. Replaced Ulysses S. Grant as the commander in chief of all U.S. army forces after the Civil War.
|GEORGE GORDON MEADE (1815-1872)|
Born in Spain, served in war with Mexico. Fought at 2nd Bull Run and Antietam. Was promoted to Major General following the discharge of General Joseph Hooker in 1863. Commanded first corps during the battle of Gettysburg. Credited with the victory at Gettysburg, but failed to destroy Confederate Army in its retreat. Lost hopes of receiving the title of commander in chief.
Highlights of Career: Graduated West Point in 1835. Commander of Union forces in the east while Grant campaigned in the west. Present at the surrender of the Confederacy in Appomattox. Remained in army overseeing reconstruction until his death in 1872.
|GEORGE BRINTON McCLELLAN (1836-1885)|
Major General in the Union Army. Commanded the Potomac Army (Union east forces) at the beginning of the Civil War. Timid in command, paranoid and indecisive, McClellan lost many key battles and ignored the advice of his generals. Failed to end the war before it progressed. Was defeated in a series of battles by Robert E. Lee (whom he underestimated) and driven out of Confederate territory and deep into Union lands. His military career against the South proved disastrous and he was relieved of his command on November 9th 1862 and ordered to return to his home in New Jersey where he sat out the remainder of the war.
|JOSEPH HOOKER (1814-1879)|
Graduated West Point 1837. Served as officer in the Mexican War, assigned under McClellan's command at beginning of Civil War. Received command of the Union Potomac Army after Major General Ambrose Burnside was relieved of command. Failed to drive back Lee at Chancellorsville, but was saved from retaliation when Confederate General Stonewall Jackson was shot by his own troops. Was wounded at Chancellorsville and relieved of his command days before Gettysburg. Served rest of war under the command of William Tecumseh Sherman.
|WINFIELD SCOTT HANCOCK (1824-1886)|
Graduated West Point 1844. Served as a brigade commander in the in the battle of Antietam, when Union 2nd Corps commander requested a transfer, Hancock became the official Major General of the 2nd Corps. Led the battle of Gettysburg, outmaneuvered and defeated Lee but was wounded in the leg. Returned to service in time for Grant's campaign against Lee. Ran for presidency for Democratic Party but lost to Garfield in 1880. Died in 1886 still listed as active service in the U.S. Army.
|PHILIP SHERIDAN (1831-1888)|
Graduated West Point 1853. Served as a staff officer and brigade commander in the beginning of the war. Promoted to Major General and division commander in summer of 1862. Served as commander of the Union Cavalry under Grant in the campaign against Lee. Defeated Confederate Cavalry in Petersburg and Richmond, and prevented Lee's escape from Appomattox. Received honorable mentions and the thanks of Congress and was promoted to the rank of Four Star General and Commander-in-Chief of the entire U.S. Army in 1884.
|AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE (1824-1881)|
Graduated West Point 1847. Wounded in war against Apache Indians in 1849 and returned to service in 1853 and became a brigade commander at the outbreak of the Civil War. Promoted to Brigadier General after the 1st Bull Run. Offered the command of the Potomac Army 3 times and finally accepted when McClellan was relieved of his command. Relieved of his command by Lincoln and sent to command forces in Ohio. Became governor of Rhode Island after the war.