[alright4u]

Originally Posted by The Reaper

I would put N. B. Forrest near the top of the list, if you focus on his military skills. Enlisted as a Private in 1861, rose to the rank of Lieutenant General by the end of the War four years later. Personally killed more than 30 men in combat, and a number before the War in duels and fights. I would second Longstreet and Jackson, though they each had their share of bad days.

I do not see Grant as a brilliant commander as much as a relentless one. In fact, I believe that if Lee had the resources that Grant did and the roles were reversed, Grant would have lasted less than 2 years before being decisively defeated.

Marshall was a genius and a renaissance man, succeeding in both war and peace. Donovan would be another success story, though at a different level.

Patton was a superb tactician, but had some personality issues and required adult supervision, and did MacArthur, to some extent.

Custer was a narcissistic idiot.

TR

Andrew Jackson.