What History Doesn’t Tell You About The 4 WORST U.S. Generals in History

In the grand tapestry of American military history, certain figures are celebrated for their valor and strategic brilliance, while others are condemned for their catastrophic failures. These individuals, entrusted with the lives of their troops and the outcomes of critical battles, became infamous not for their victories but for their blunders, arrogance, and miscalculations. Today, we delve into the stories of four U.S. generals whose legacies are marred by incompetence and poor judgment. Their actions not only led to devastating losses on the battlefield but also shaped the course of history in ways that still resonate today. Join us as we uncover what history doesn’t tell you about these notorious leaders.

George McClellan was born on December 3, 1826, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1846, where he excelled academically but was not particularly distinguished in military performance. His early career was marked by service in the Mexican-American War, where he gained valuable experience that would later shape his approach to warfare. When the Civil War erupted in 1861, McClellan was appointed as the commander of the Army of the Potomac. Initially hailed as a hero for his ability to organize and train troops effectively, his cautious nature soon became apparent. McClellan's indecisiveness ultimately defined his command and led to missed opportunities that could have changed the war's trajectory.

One of McClellan's most notorious failures occurred during the Maryland Campaign in September 1862. Despite having a significant numerical advantage—approximately 87,164 Union troops against General Robert E. Lee's estimated 38,000—he hesitated to engage. His overestimation of enemy strength was compounded by a profound fear of failure that paralyzed him at critical moments. After receiving a copy of Lee's battle plans—detailed orders that could have led to a decisive victory—McClellan delayed his attack for several days. When he finally engaged at Antietam on September 17, 1862, he failed to exploit opportunities for a decisive victory. The battle ended inconclusively with heavy casualties on both sides—approximately 12,401 Union soldiers and 10,318 Confederates were killed or wounded.

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[RootHistoryChannel]

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[Sammyandbobsdad]

Custer was a Lt. Colonel. He only held the brevet rank of general temporarily during the Civil War.

[galatian]

These are not at all the four worst US generals, they're just the someone's most personally disliked CIVIL WAR era generals. No actual bad generals such as Lloyd Fredendall of World War 2, Charles Lee from the Revolution, Leonidas Polk, or Mark Milley (which is still up for debate). Just some popular names everyone hates from the US Civil War only, whom are only hated due to certain "failures" in their career. Or in Custer's case, losing their last battle.

[Curtiz]

Custer moved his attack up by one day because his force was discovered by some Indians who were out scavenging. He was afraid the Indians would escape.

[mikewyatt]

In Nov. 1791, in Ohio, Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Claire's command was wiped out by the Shawnee, Miami, Lenape etc. Of the 1, 000 officers and men that St. Clair led into battle, only 24 escaped unharmed.

[actiongiraffe]

Custer was brevated to the rank of Major General during the Civil War. After the war he reverted to the rank of Lt. Colonel, the rank he held until his death at Little Bighorn.

[galacticvagabond]

Once again, Sickles is brought up as an example of bad leadership on the field of battle, and once again, the Minnesota First, who were sacrificed to stem the Confederate advance so that the retreat could be a success, is not mentioned. The men of the Minnesota First are always ignored. The unit was nearly annihilated in this battle, and still, there is no mention of it. They deserve better than this constant hand-waving of their contribution. And, after everything that happened in the corn field, they were still present the next day to help defeat Pickett's Charge.

[bangkokmaco]

I would put MacArthur and Westmoreland ahead of all but McClellan for not only their strategic failures, but, like McClellan, try to turn their failures into the fault of the administration - rifts that lasted decades.

[brunozeigerts]

The problem with Little Bighorn was that Custer was ordered to contain retreating Natives, NOT attack them. But the plan required General Crook's column to drive the Natives towards Custer, but Crook's was ambushed and forced to retire, so the plan had already begun to unravel. Still, if Custer had followed orders and simply maintained his station, would he and most of his unit have survived?
Also, splitting his force certainly didn't help.

[chardtomp]

It should be noted that it was only the battalion being led by Custer that got massacred to the last man at the Little Big Horn. The other two battalions were able to reconsolidate and held out until reinforcements arrived. In all, the 7th cavalry had around 50% casualties.

[alanaadams]

Some generals just don't see the big picture

[filippodegalleani]

and Clarke ? instead of circling the Germans after the fall of the Gustav line, he let them escape to the Gothic line just to be the first General to enter a capital city, Rome and being photographed on his jeep

[robertvaught]

Custer was recklas as a Cav General he held at Gettysburg, Delayed Stuart lost alot of his brig.s all because he would not flank or manu. Grant disliked him because he could not adapt even Grant could adapt, Grant learned.

[peterlee]

Wrong. No George B. McClean served as a general in the U.S. Army during the 1800s. I am assuming you meant George B. McClellan of U.S. Army in the Civil War.

[JamesFranklin-hdtm]

There is a story about Braxton Bragg that may well be apocryphal but is still humorous. After Chickamauga the Union forces retreated to Chattanooga with General George Thomas making his famous "Rock of Chickamauga" stand. As they marched away a Southern general sent a corporal as a messenger to General Bragg to inform him of the retreat. The corporal reported to Bragg, "General, the Yankees are retreatin'!". In his customary brusque manner Bragg replied, "Corporal, how do you know the Yankees are retreating?" The corporal answered, "General, I've been with you for two years."

[BillPloof-br]

You know it's kind of hard to believe anything anyone says when they can't spell a man's name properly to begin with

[odysseusrex]

Bragg was, by definition, not a US general and would have objected to being called such. Custer, when he was a general, had an excellent record. After the war though, he was reduced in rank and, as commander of the 7th Cavalry, held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

[michaeltelson]

During the middle part of the 19th century private minting of coinage was still allowed. I have an example of a McClellan copper cent in my collection that was minted for the political campaign against Lincoln.

[harlanabraham]

Some of the Generals did some great things. Then a misjudgment lead them to their downfall.

[josephluscavage]

I have never been a fan of McClellan as a “combat “commander but he is an example of what Clausewitz called “synchronicity.” Basically, being in the right place at the right time with the right resources to have effect. McClellan was an organizer. He came to the Army of the Potomac at a time when it was no better than an armed mob. He organized it, drilled, organized its logistics chain and provided it those basic things an Army needs to function. He was incapable of employing it. But then so where some of those promoted to do the same. I have always ascribed to the synchronicity: Lincoln led to McClellan that in the end lead to Grant that led to victory at Appomattox. Remove any of those men and the outcome is very different.