"Was Jeb Stuart as Good as N B Forrest?" Topic

I think this is why I dislike rating systems. For the most part, Stuart served as a recon officer while Forest led mounted infantry. And in any event, Stuart's ride in Maryland and PA doesn't reflect one way or the other on his "ability to fight an actual battle."

I'd also say that was one of several occasions where Lee's subordinates get beaten up by historians for following Lee's orders. (Longstreet on the Second Day is another.) Good generals--even great generals--sometimes make mistakes. Unless they're Robert E. Lee, in which case the man executing the order is to blame.

Forrest had plenty of his own faults. They also had distinctly different commands, so it is something of an apples to oranges comparison.

I've seen the Memo, but not allowed to read it completely, let alone keep a copy.
Robert E Lee was the bestest most competent general who ever lived.
Any so-called errors in his campaigns or battles are totally the fault of incompetent (dare I say "Evil"?) subordinates who traitorously let Him down.
Thus Stuart is lowest of the low.

Forrrst? Meh. He was out West. Nothing happened there. Nothing to see.

I agree with RP: they were generals with different missions. Stuart was better at recon and screening while Forrest excelled at raiding and dealing with Federal raids. Forrest was also a frighteningly competent combatant. He killed 29 opponents in battle and one of his own compatriots. The assailant had a pistol and Forrest had a pen knife.

Glad you were able to see the memo John the OFM. It makes you one of Those Who Know.

Well, Forrest's assailant was an officer that had his honor slandered by the General who did not have all the facts when he made the disparaging remarks. A brief description of the Forrest Gould Affair. hmdb.org/m.asp?m=168602

John, the ACW was won in the west.

Agree, Civil War was won in the West.

No! How dare you!

"Boys! BOYS! You can BOTH take me to the prom!"

I'm a heretic. I consider Wade Hampton to be a better cavalry commander in the Army of Northern Virginia than Stuart, with Forrest above both.

Stuart was better than Forrest. The problem with Forrest is that he would not operate under the chain of command. He wasn't a team player.

Civil War was won in the West

I use to believe that back when I didn't know any better.

If you can't find the choice for Stuart, look at the bottom of the list. I nearly missed it. Probably will skew the vote.

I agree 79th PA and Shagnasty – it depends on how you define better but their operational roles were totally different – Stuart was more of a conventional cavalry commander while Forest was a raider on lines of operation – both were pretty good in their respective roles but I don't see an easy way to make a head to head comparison beyond the fact that they mostly did things while riding a horse