Smithsonian Institution
Civil War@smithsonian: Leaders
This site has photographs and paintings of Civil War leaders, both political and military. Clicking on the arrow will take you through pictures and brief biographies of the leaders. From the National Portrait Gallery.
Civil War Home
Home of the American Civil War: Ambrose Burnside
A biography of Ambrose Burnside outlining the bright spots and disasters of his military career. Included is an explanation of the term "sideburns." From "Who Was Who in the Civil War" by Stewart Sifakis.
Civil War Home
Home of the American Civil War: Joseph Hooker
Read about one of the more colorful generals in the Civil War. Joseph Hooker alienated his superiors and distrusted his subordinate officers. From "Who Was Who in the Civil War" by Stewart Sifakis.
Civil War Home
Home of the American Civil War: George Brinton Mc Clellan
A biography of George McClellan, commander of the Union forces for many important battles during the Civil War. From "Who Was Who in the Civil War" by Steward Sifakis.
Civil War Home
Home of the American Civil War: Philip Sheridan
Detailed description of Sheridan's Civil War efforts as a military leader. From "Who Was Who in the Civil War" by Stewart Sifakis.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Presidential Log Cabins: Ulysses S. Grant, Hero of the Civil War
Part of a larger biography of presidents is this article which focuses on Ulysses S. Grant in his role as general in the Civil War.
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: Interactives: Meet the Army Commanders!
Information about the top-ranking field commanders of the Confederate and Union armies lets learners make judgments as to which side possessed the advantage, in terms of military leadership, at the outset of the war.
PBS
New Perspectives on the West: Philip Sheridan
Read about Sheridan's experience in the Civil War and his later accomplishments fighting the Plains Indians.
Other
Wild Geese Today: Colonel Patrick Guiney: Boston's 'Good Knight'
In-depth, action filled look at an Irish soldier's life in the Civil War.
Other
Wild Geese: General Michael Corcoran
A five-part article about Michael Corcoran, an Irish immigrant who volunteered when Lincoln first issued a call for troops. Read about his actions at Bull Run, in a Southern prison camp, and his leadership of the Irish Brigade. This...
Son of the South
Son of the South: Union Generals
Presents biographies and resources for six Union Army generals.
Other
University of Albany: Recruitment of the Union Army in New York
Describes Civil War recruitment methods at the state and federal level. Focus is on methods used in New York state.
Other
Abraham Lincoln's White House: Henry Halleck (1815 1872)
Henry Halleck had brains, but had trouble putting his ideas to work. This very readable biography discusses his military career during the Civil War.
Other
Abraham Lincoln's White House: Joseph Hooker (1814 1879)
A description of Joseph "Fighting Joe" Hooker's military career in the Civil War. Read excerpts of letters from Abraham Lincoln to Hooker concerning his conduct. Fun to read.
Other
Abraham Lincoln's White House: John Pope (1823 1892)
Abraham Lincoln had such a hard time finding a decent general to command the Army of the Potomac. John Pope was another of his disappointments. Read this account of his Civil War career.
Ohio History Central
Ohio History Central: Don C. Buell
Read this biography of Union general, Don Carlos Buell. Find out about his command, and the reasons he was relieved of that command.
Ohio History Central
Ohio History Central: Ambrose Burnside
A thorough biography of Ambrose Burnside and his military career. Read about his command of the Ninth Corps in several battles and as commander in the Department of the Ohio.
Virginia Historical Society
Virginia Historical Society: Lee and Grant
A retrospective of the two greatest generals of the Civil War, Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant. A side-by-side comparison of the two icons before, during, and after the war.
American Battlefield Trust
American Battlefield Trust: Civil War Biography: John C. Fremont
A profile of John Fremont makes note of his short stint as a the Union army officer.
American Battlefield Trust
American Battlefield Trust: Civil War Biography: Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
A biographical profile of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain.
American Battlefield Trust
American Battlefield Trust: Civil War Biography: George Armstrong Custer
A biographical profile of George Armstrong Custer. Makes note of the engagements he fought during the Civil War and his postwar service in the American West.
American Battlefield Trust
American Battlefield Trust: Civil War Biography: John Buford
A biographical profile of John Burford, a Union officer who fought at Gettysburg.
American Battlefield Trust
American Battlefield Trust: Civil War Biography: Robert Gould Shaw
Biographical profile of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, who led the 54th Massachusetts, one of the first-formed African American regiments of Union soldiers.
Ohio History Central
Ohio History Central: Battle of Fort Henry
A brief description of the Battle of Fort Henry, including the strategy and result of the Union bombardment.