Who was a very important person in the American Civil War?

Answer 1

The list of "important persons in the American Civil War" is rather extensive, depending on what your criteria are. Some important persons were:

Abraham Lincoln (US president during the war)

Hannibal Hamlin (US vice-president for Lincoln's first term)

Andrew Johnson (US vice-president for Lincolns second term)

Jefferson Davis (President of the Confederacy)

US military commanders:

• Maj. General George McClellan - General-in-chief until relieved of duty in 1862
• Maj. Gen. George G. Meade - commanding officer at the Battle of Gettysburg
• Lt. General Ulysses S. Grant - eventual General-in-chief of Union forces. Received surrender of Robert E. Lee's forces
• Major General Ambrose Everett Burnside - successful campaigns in North Carolina and East Tennessee but was defeated in the disastrous Battle of Fredericksburg and Battle of the Crater. Considered one of the least effective generals of the war.
• Maj. General Winfield Scott - General-in-chief prior to McClellan - also the architect of the plan to blockade all southern ports and to divide the Confederacy in two by capturing all points along the Mississippi.
• Maj. General Philip Sheridan - commanded cavalry of Army of the Potomac, first use of scorched earth tactic by Union forces)
• William Tecumseh Sherman - succeeded Grant as commander of Union forces in the west. Conducted "Sherman's march to the sea" to further gut and divide the Confederacy
• Brig. General Winfield Scott Hancock - important commander of Union forces a the Battle of Gettysburg.

Confederate military commanders:

• General P.G.T. Beauregard - first commander of the entire Confederate army. Forces under his command fired the opening shots of the war at Fort Sumter. Commanded the forces at the first Battle of Bull run where the Union army was forced to retreat in disarray. He promoted the development of the Confederate Battle flag that is now usually associated with the Confederate States (the one with a blue diagonal cross containing 13 stars on a red field )
• Lt. General Jubal Early - served under Stonewall Jackson and then Robert E. Lee for almost the entire war, rising from regimental command to lieutenant general and the command of an infantry corps in the Army of Northern Virginia.
• Lt. Gen. Richard S. Ewell - senior commander under Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee and fought effectively through much of the war
• Lt. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest - innovative cavalry leader during the war. Became the first Grand Wizard of the KKK after the war.
• Lt. Gen. A. P. Hill - commander of "Hill's Light Division" in the Seven Days Battles and became one of Stonewall Jackson's ablest subordinates, distinguishing himself in the 1862 battles of Cedar Mountain, Second Bull Run, Antietam, and Fredericksburg. Killed during the Union Army offensive at the Third Battle of Petersburg.
• General J. B. Hood - had a reputation for bravery and aggressiveness that sometimes bordered on recklessness. Arguably one of the best brigade and division commanders in the Confederate States Army. Probably promoted beyond his level of competence when he was promoted to lead larger, independent commands late in the war. Disasterously outmaneuvered by Sherman in the Atlanta campaign
• Lt. General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson - one of the most gifted tactical commanders in the nation's history. His Valley Campaign and his envelopment of the Union Army right wing at Chancellorsville are studied worldwide even today as examples of innovative and bold leadership. He excelled as well in other battles: the First Battle of Bull Run (where he received his famous nickname "Stonewall"), Second Bull Run, Antietam, and Fredericksburg. Killed in a "friendly fire" accident at the Battle of Chancellorsville
• General Albert S. Johnston - Given command of western theater operations. Killed in action at the Battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862
• General Joseph E. Johnston - Led major Confederate commands except July 17, 1864 to February 1865
• General Robert E. Lee - the consummate Confederate general, commander of the Army of Northern Virginia and General-in-chief of the Confederate Army.
• Lt. Gen. James Longstreet - made significant contributions to the Confederate victories at Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, and Chickamauga, in both offensive and defensive roles. He also performed strongly during the Seven Days Battles, the Battle of Antietam, and until he was seriously wounded, at the Battle of the Wilderness. Disagreed with General Lee on the tactics to be employed and reluctantly supervised the disastrous infantry assault known as Pickett's Charge.
• Maj. General J.E.B. Stuart - a cavalry commander known for his mastery of reconnaissance and the use of cavalry in support of offensive operations.
• Maj. General George E. Pickett - One of Longstreet's generals who led the disastrous "Pickett's charge" at the Battle of Gettysburg.

This list is by no means exhaustive, but it should be a good start.