Thread by @MarkHertling

While I’ve studied Civil War history, I’m certainly not an subject matter expert on the lives of all confederate generals.

But I do know who the good ones and bad ones are, from a leadership perspective.

But don’t rely on me...let me cite Mr Wiki.... 1/12

Braxton Bragg, of Ft Bragg NC fame, is “considered among the worst Southern generals. Most of his battles ended in defeats.Extremely unpopular w/ his men, he was criticized for many faults, including poor battlefield strategy, quick temper & overzealous discipline.” 2/12

“Leonidas Polk, the “fighting bishop” was one of the most notable & controversial of the war. Pres Jeff Davis elevated him to high position despite a lack of experience. He is remembered for his bitter disagreements with immediate superiors & for a lack of success in combat.”3/12

“Polk graduated from West Point but resigned his commission to become an Episcopalian minister (though he was never baptized). He became the largest slaveholder in his county by 1840, with 111 slaves. (The 1850 census said he owned 215, with estimates as high as 400.)”4/12

“George Pickett (Ft Pickett, Va)
is best remembered for graduating last of 59 cadets in the West Point class of 1846 & for commanding the futile & bloody charge on the 3d day of the Battle of Gettysburg bearing his name.” 5/12

“Having few victories & many defeats post Gettysburg, He fell out of favor. Following the war, Pickett feared prosecution for his execution of deserters & fled to Canada” 6/12

“John Bell Hood (Ft Hood, Tex) had a reputation for bravery & aggressiveness that sometimes bordered on recklessness.”7/12

“Arguably the best brigade & division commander in the CSA, Hood became increasingly ineffective as he was promoted to lead larger, independent commands; his career and reputation were marred by his decisive defeats leading the Confederate army in the Atlanta Campaign.”8/12

“Ft Gordon, GA was named for John Brown Gordon, a major general in the Rebel army, a Georgia governor, a U.S. senator, and a businessman.” But...9/12

“After the war he was a firm opponent of Reconstruction & endorsed measures to preserve white-dominated society, including restrictions on freedmen and the use of violence. Gordon was thought to be the titular head of the Ku Klux Klan in Georgia.”10/12

These are just some of the “winners,” and it is long past time when we have a conversation on changing the names of these posts. 11/12

There are plenty of Generals, soldiers, Patriots in our history who kept their oath, defended the Constitution, and furthered the development of our great nation & our society. 12/12