"Worst Continental Army Generals" Topic
5 Posts
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07 Dec 2025 3:31 p.m. PST
by Editor in Chief Bill
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| Tango01 | 07 Dec 2025 1:19 p.m. PST |
"Recently, I offered my choices for the ten most important Continental Army generals. Not the best or the worst, but the most important. But attempting to suggest the ten least important would likely be an exercise in futility, as well as somewhat disparaging of those patriotic men who had an actual, but minimal, impact on the war…"
Journal of the American Revolution
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Armand
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 John the OFM  | 07 Dec 2025 4:26 p.m. PST |
Gates Lee Arnold was good, for whichever side that treacherous scum played for. |
| Perris0707 | 07 Dec 2025 6:02 p.m. PST |
Hard to be worse than Charles Lee. |
| BillyNM | 07 Dec 2025 10:14 p.m. PST |
Why a special category for Arnold, just because you disapprove of his actions but can't find reason to call him a bad general?
The consideration of the others seems pretty superficial, it only looks at their actions and outcomes, nothing on the context, the authority, resources, opportunities and support or opposition from others. It's fairly clear from how often some comment appears that rivalry, if not outright jealousy, was rife amongst the Continental Commanders. That and the tendency for the winners to write the history calls for in depth research before judgement. |
 piper909 | 07 Dec 2025 11:54 p.m. PST |
Rick Atkinson's recent volumes on the AWI portray Arnold as one of the best tactical commanders on either side. The fact that his temperment was mercurial and impulsive and led him to switch sides doesn't negate his skill set to me. |
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