# Which Civil War general are you? (A quiz) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 10, 2003, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-civil-war-general-are-you-a-quiz/200843 "2003-09-10T21:14:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Interrobang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/interrobang/32/17463_2.png) [@Interrobang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Interrobang)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-civil-war-general-are-you-a-quiz/200843/1 "2003-09-10T21:14:32Z")
I don’t usually take these online quizzes, but my brother created this one, so I thought I should be supportive. [Which Civil War General Are You?](http://quizilla.com/users/inkysplotchy/quizzes/Which%20Civil%20War%20General%20are%20You%3F) I am Robert E. Lee: > [@](#): > > Robert E Lee: You are the very image of the gentleman warrior with the soul of a river boat gambler. You place a very high price on honor and personal loyalty. Lee is widely regarded as one of the greatest generals in US history. Personally opposed to slavery, he only joined the Confederate army after Virginia seceded from the Union. Some say that he personally prolonged the war at least two years with his tactical brilliance. (I’m not the family’s Civil War buff, so if the info ain’t accurate, don’t be calling for my head.) ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-civil-war-general-are-you-a-quiz/200843/2 "2003-09-10T22:18:36Z")
I am George McClellan: > [@](#): > > George McClellan: “Little Mac” has a mixed reputation. On the one hand, he did more to make the Union’s Army of the Potomac into an efficient fighting force than any other commander. He was a wizard at military organization. On the other hand, he was one of the most hesitant and fearful commanders to take the field, often imagining the enemy having two or three times his own numbers, when in reality they had closer to half to a third. After being removed from command by an exasperated Lincoln, he ran for president against his former boss in 1864, losing after Sherman captured Atlanta to give the Union new hope for the war’s successful end. I think it’s because I picked “I’ll try to win in a way that harms as few people as possible.” I guess that means trying to avoid fighting at all . . . ---
**Author:** ![Malice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/278dde/32.png) [@Malice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malice)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-civil-war-general-are-you-a-quiz/200843/3 "2003-09-10T22:52:20Z")
WTF??? That can’t be right, can it? I’m Sherman (!!). I’m flattered, but I think I’m much more like John Winger (see **Stripes** (Columbia Pictures, 1981)). ---
**Author:** ![Gadfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/aeb1de/32.png) [@Gadfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadfly)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-civil-war-general-are-you-a-quiz/200843/4 "2003-09-10T23:13:13Z")
> [@](#): > > Philip Sheridan: Sheridan was a man you never wanted to get on the wrong side of. Headstrong and stubborn, he attacked his foes with a relentless determination that wore them down. Widely regarded as the best Union Cavalry general in the war. After the war, he served as a reconstruction governor and had to be removed for being to harsh. Once rallied his retreating troops by saying “Damn you, don’t you cheer me! Get back to the front!” Sweet. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-civil-war-general-are-you-a-quiz/200843/5 "2003-09-10T23:14:19Z")
Figures I would be Stonwall Jackson. > [@](#): > > Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson: A very religious man who had numerous quirks that would have condemned a lesser general to be thought unfit for service, Jackson was one of the most hard hitting and hard drving generals on either side. His famous ‘foot cavalry’ outmarched slower Union forces on numerous occasions, leading to spectacular victories. Jackson was killed at the battle of Chancellorsvile, shot by his own men by mistake. ---
**Author:** ![detop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@detop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/detop)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-civil-war-general-are-you-a-quiz/200843/6 "2003-09-10T23:18:05Z")
Another Billy Sherman here. > [@](#): > > William Tecumseh Sherman: Widely thought to be insane by most journalists for hating their questions, Sherman has been called one of the first generals to understand modern war. His theory was that to win the war, the Union must break the Confederate’s will to fight, as well as their means to carry on the war. Needless to say, burning his way across Georgia and South Carolina did not earn him esteem from his opponents. The phrase “War is Hell” is Sherman’s. He is often considered callous to human loss of life, though in his mind the quicker the war could be won, the less lives that would be lost in the long Now where’s Georgia again ? I feel like taking a walk 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-civil-war-general-are-you-a-quiz/200843/7 "2003-09-10T23:37:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Gadfly \* > \*\*Sweet. \*\* I tried answering every question exactly opposite to the way I would normally have answered it, and I came out with Sheridan, too. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![im2evil4u](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5ac83/32.png) [@im2evil4u](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/im2evil4u)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-civil-war-general-are-you-a-quiz/200843/8 "2003-09-10T23:46:15Z")
Stonewall, here ---
**Author:** ![Fern\_Forest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@Fern\_Forest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fern_Forest)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-civil-war-general-are-you-a-quiz/200843/9 "2003-09-10T23:51:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Gadfly \* > \*\*Sweet. \*\* I’m another Sheridan. ---
**Author:** ![Blackeyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f6c823/32.png) [@Blackeyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackeyes)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-civil-war-general-are-you-a-quiz/200843/10 "2003-09-10T23:55:10Z")
Another Lee. > [@](#): > > Robert E Lee: You are the very image of the gentleman warrior with the soul of a river boat gambler. You place a very high price on honor and personal loyalty. Lee is widely regarded as one of the greatest generals in US history. Personally opposed to slavery, he only joined the Confederate army after Virginia seceded from the Union. Some say that he personally prolonged the war at least two years with his tactical brilliance This makes some sense. Duty motivates me, I’m as good as any other person, my enemies could be my friends after the war, obligation and honor were the most important thing and my virtue. Also, if my state seceded from the Union\* I’d probably fight on its side. \*Just a matter of time ‘til we start ah risin’ up aggin… ---
**Author:** ![Blackclaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e68b1a/32.png) [@Blackclaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackclaw)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-civil-war-general-are-you-a-quiz/200843/11 "2003-09-10T23:56:52Z")
The quiz labelled me as Sherman, which I thought odd since I picked “win by hurting as few people as possible”… I know which general I should really be sadly, my real name is Burnside. ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-civil-war-general-are-you-a-quiz/200843/12 "2003-09-11T00:04:18Z")
I am… > [@](#): > > William Tecumseh Sherman: Widely thought to be insane by most journalists for hating their questions, Sherman has been called one of the first generals to understand modern war. His theory was that to win the war, the Union must break the Confederate’s will to fight, as well as their means to carry on the war. Needless to say, burning his way across Georgia and South Carolina did not earn him esteem from his opponents. The phrase “War is Hell” is Sherman’s. He is often considered callous to human loss of life, though in his mind the quicker the war could be won, the less lives that would be lost in the long run. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-civil-war-general-are-you-a-quiz/200843/13 "2003-09-11T00:11:38Z")
Grant. I’m surprised that I’m the first to get this one… > [@](#): > > Ulysses Grant: Stubborn and practical, Grant was successful in almost every campaign he fought. Some thought him a mindless butcher who cared nothing for his men, when in reality he regretted every wasteful battle he ever fought. Credited with changing Union strategy in the East from being focused on places, like Richmond, to focusing on Lee’s army. Grant realized that the Union could field an army far longer than the Confederacy, and kept the pressure on until Lee’s army eventually ran out of supplies, men, and will. Some claim that Grant’s reputation is overrated as an actual general, but those who disagree with them argue that Grant had a winning formula and stuck with it to final victory. ---
**Author:** ![Tallayan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Tallayan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tallayan)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-civil-war-general-are-you-a-quiz/200843/14 "2003-09-11T00:26:29Z")
Another stonewall jackson reporting in ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stranger\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@The\_Stranger\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stranger_1)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-civil-war-general-are-you-a-quiz/200843/15 "2003-09-11T00:38:30Z")
Sheridan here. (I always did like him.) =Snicker= ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-civil-war-general-are-you-a-quiz/200843/16 "2003-09-11T00:57:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Colibri \* > \*\*I am George McClellan. … I think it’s because I picked “I’ll try to win in a way that harms as few people as possible.” I guess that means trying to avoid fighting at all . . . \*\* Identical result and rationale here. Additionally, I share McClellan’s tendency to overestimate the enemy’s strength and resolve even as I assume I’m smarter than my opponent/s. ---
**Author:** ![Papaveraceae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e8c25b/32.png) [@Papaveraceae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Papaveraceae)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-civil-war-general-are-you-a-quiz/200843/17 "2003-09-11T01:12:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by detop \* > \*\*Another Billy Sherman here. > > Now where’s Georgia again ? I feel like taking a walk 😃 \*\* me too. God lord, did anyone teach that man the proper use of a hair brush? Sheesh… ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-civil-war-general-are-you-a-quiz/200843/18 "2003-09-11T01:15:24Z")
WTF?? I’m born in Atlanta, live 25 of my 31 years in various parts of the South, have a great-great-grandfather who was a Confederate soldier (and valiantly, um, surrendered at Pensacola), and _I get a Union general_??? 😃 I’m McClellan, probaly for the same reason as **Colibri** and **Sternvogel**. ---
**Author:** ![Muldoon\_s\_Squishiness](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/13edae/32.png) [@Muldoon\_s\_Squishiness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muldoon_s_Squishiness)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-civil-war-general-are-you-a-quiz/200843/19 "2003-09-11T01:21:54Z")
Grant here. ---
**Author:** ![cadolphin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c37758/32.png) [@cadolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cadolphin)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-civil-war-general-are-you-a-quiz/200843/20 "2003-09-11T01:48:00Z")
Another Grant. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-civil-war-general-are-you-a-quiz/200843.md?page=2)