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Civil War generals were deeply eccentric, had wild personal lives, or
engaged in bizarre behaviors that would seem unthinkable for modern military
leaders.
UnionMaj. Gen. Joseph Hooker earned a reputation for hard-drinking and loose
living. His headquarters during the winter of 1862–63 was described by a
cavalry officer as "a combination of a bar-room and a brothel." This
led to rumors (partly exaggerated) that prostitutes following his army became
known as "hookers."
Many Civil War generals were deeply eccentric, had wild
personal lives, or engaged in bizarre behaviors that would seem unthinkable for
modern military leaders.
Confederate
Lt. Gen. Richard Ewell was often called the "oddest, most eccentric
genius in the Confederate Army." He had a bald head, a long nose, and
bright eyes, and he frequently tilted his head sideways like a bird when
listening or giving orders. His mannerisms were so peculiar that subordinates
found him almost comical.
Ewell
was a hypochondriac who carried around a variety of medicines and was known for
explosive verbal orders that no one could fully understand when he was excited.
Many Civil War generals were deeply eccentric, had wild
personal lives, or engaged in bizarre behaviors that would seem unthinkable for
modern military leaders.
Union
Maj. Gen. Benjamin Franklin Butler was one of the most controversial and
detested figures of the war. Nicknamed the "Beast of New Orleans" for
his harsh occupation of the city in 1862, he issued the infamous "Woman
Order": any woman who insulted Union soldiers would be treated as a
"woman of the town" (i.e., a prostitute). This outraged the South,
and Jefferson Davis declared him an outlaw.
He
was also called "Spoons Butler" for allegedly stealing silverware and
other valuables from Southern homes. Southerners made chamber pots with his
face on the bottom. Physically, he was described as ugly with a walleye, and
his military competence was widely questioned but he was a shrewd politician.
Many Civil War generals were deeply eccentric, had wild
personal lives, or engaged in bizarre behaviors that would seem unthinkable for
modern military leaders.
Union
Brig. Gen. Hugh Judson Kilpatrick earned the nickname
"Kill-Cavalry" for his reckless tactics that got many of his own men
killed in ill-advised charges. He was ambitious, brash, and politically savvy,
often prioritizing glory over sound strategy (famously at Gettysburg, where he
pushed a disastrous charge).
He
was known for disorderly camps filled with prostitutes and once famously fled
in his underwear during a surprise Confederate attack at Monroe's Crossroads.
Kilpatrick was a glory-seeker who exaggerated successes and survived multiple
wounds and scandals.
The American Revolution (1775 to1783)
inspired generations of artists who sought to capture its drama, heroism,
sacrifice, and ideals. While many works were created long after the
events—often blending historical fact with artistic license and symbolism—these
paintings have profoundly shaped how Americans visualize their founding
struggle. They range from near-contemporary propaganda pieces to grand
19th-century historical epics. Among the best:
George Washington at
Princeton by Charles Willson
Peale (1779)
Painted
during the war, this portrait shows Washington after his victory at the Battle
of Princeton in January 1777. Peale, who knew Washington, captured him in a
commanding yet approachable pose amid the battlefield. It is one of the most
important contemporary portraits of the era.
The oddest things about the
Japanese army in World War 2 include:
The Bicycle Blitzkrieg: In the 1941–42 Malayan campaign,
Japanese troops confiscated thousands of bicycles from locals and used them for
rapid jungle advances, covering up to 50 km per day without fuel, outpacing
Allied forces in a surprising "bicycle infantry" success.
Balloon Bombs: Japan launched over 9,000
hydrogen-filled paper balloons carrying incendiaries across the Pacific via jet
stream to bomb North America. About 300 reached the U.S./Canada; one killed six
civilians in Oregon—the only deaths in the continental U.S. from enemy action.
Unit 731 Atrocities: This secret unit conducted horrific
human experiments on thousands of prisoners to develop biological weapons.
Holdout Soldiers: Dozens of Japanese soldiers refused
to surrender for years or decades after 1945, living in jungles. Hiroo Onoda
held out in the Philippines until 1974—nearly 30 years—still fighting a
guerrilla war.
The American Revolution (1775 to1783)
inspired generations of artists who sought to capture its drama, heroism,
sacrifice, and ideals. While many works were created long after the
events—often blending historical fact with artistic license and symbolism—these
paintings have profoundly shaped how Americans visualize their founding
struggle. They range from near-contemporary propaganda pieces to grand
19th-century historical epics. Among the best:
The Spirit of ’76 (Yankee Doodle) by Archibald MacNeal Willard (1876)
Created
for the U.S. Centennial, this depicts three generations of musicians—an elderly
drummer, a younger fifer, and a boy—marching through a battlefield. It evokes
enduring patriotism, resilience, and the Revolutionary spirit. Though not
depicting a specific event, it became a quintessential symbol of American
independence.
Meth-Fueled Blitzkrieg: Soldiers received millions of
Pervitin tablets (methamphetamine), for tank crews. It kept troops awake for
days during rapid invasions but caused addiction and crashes.
Extensive Use of Enemy Gear: Chronic shortages led German units
to capture and deploy French, Soviet, and Allied vehicles, uniforms, and
weapons on a massive scale—sometimes entire divisions relied on foreign
equipment.
Wonder Weapons Obsession: Resources poured into impractical
projects like the V-2 rocket, jet aircraft, and giant tanks (Maus), diverting
effort from reliable production while delivering limited battlefield impact.
Deception: In the Battle of the Bulge,
English-speaking Germans in U.S. uniforms infiltrated lines to sow
chaos—technically a war crime but a bold special forces tactic.
The American Revolution (1775 to1783)
inspired generations of artists who sought to capture its drama, heroism,
sacrifice, and ideals. While many works were created long after the
events—often blending historical fact with artistic license and symbolism—these
paintings have profoundly shaped how Americans visualize their founding
struggle. They range from near-contemporary propaganda pieces to grand
19th-century historical epics. Among the best:
The Death of General
Warren at the Battle of Bunker’s Hill by John Trumbull (1786)
Trumbull
memorializes the June 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill and the death of Dr. Joseph
Warren, a prominent Patriot. The chaotic battle scene captures heroism and
sacrifice, drawing on Trumbull's firsthand war experience. It is one of his
series of eight major Revolutionary history paintings.
The oddest things about the Russian army in World War 2 include:
Anti-Tank
Dogs: Soviet forces trained dogs to carry explosives on their backs
and run under enemy tanks, detonating on contact. Though used with some success
early on, many dogs returned to Soviet lines creating havoc.
Combat
Camels: In the Kalmyk and Astrakhan steppes, over 300 camels were used
for transport and artillery hauling, with one reportedly spitting on the
Reichstag in Berlin.
Lend-Lease
Spam: American-supplied SPAM canned meat became a vital protein source
for the Red Army, so valued that Soviet soldiers sometimes called it
"Second Front" and Khrushchev later credited it with helping feed the
troops.
Tractor
"Tanks": In 1941 Odessa, Soviets disguised farm tractors as
tanks with fake armor, guns, and sirens to bluff and frighten Romanian forces
at night.
Sneak Attack! (Four Alternative History Stories)
The American Revolution (1775 to1783)
inspired generations of artists who sought to capture its drama, heroism,
sacrifice, and ideals. While many works were created long after the
events—often blending historical fact with artistic license and symbolism—these
paintings have profoundly shaped how Americans visualize their founding
struggle. They range from near-contemporary propaganda pieces to grand
19th-century historical epics. Among the best:
The Bloody Massacre (Boston Massacre) by
Paul Revere (1770)
Though an engraving rather than an oil
painting, this is one of the most influential images from the Revolutionary
era. Paul Revere's propaganda print shows British soldiers firing into a crowd
of unarmed Boston civilians on March 5, 1770, killing five. It exaggerates
British aggression to inflame colonial sentiment and remains a powerful example
of visual propaganda.
Love, Sex, and Marriage in Colonial America 1607-1800
William Paul Roberts
(1841–1910) earned the distinction of becoming the youngest general officer in
the Confederate States Army. Born in Gates County, North Carolina, he enlisted
as a private in the 15th North Carolina Infantry at age 19. His bravery and
leadership shone through in battles like Fredericksburg and Brandy Station.
Rising rapidly through the
ranks, Roberts commanded cavalry units. On February 23, 1865, at just 23 years
old, he was promoted to brigadier general, leading a cavalry brigade in the
Army of Northern Virginia during the war’s final campaigns.
After Appomattox, he returned
to civilian life as a farmer, legislator, and state auditor.
The American Revolution (1775 to1783)
inspired generations of artists who sought to capture its drama, heroism,
sacrifice, and ideals. While many works were created long after the
events—often blending historical fact with artistic license and symbolism—these
paintings have profoundly shaped how Americans visualize their founding
struggle. They range from near-contemporary propaganda pieces to grand
19th-century historical epics. Among the best:
Surrender of Lord Cornwallis by John Trumbull
(1820)
A Trumbull masterpiece in the Capitol
Rotunda, this depicts the British surrender at Yorktown in 1781, effectively
ending major combat. American and French forces receive the surrender
(Cornwallis himself is absent, citing illness). The painting highlights the
Franco-American alliance and military triumph, with careful attention to
uniforms and figures based on Trumbull's research and portraits.
The oddest things about the
Italian army in World War 2 include:
Tankette Obsession: Italy relied heavily on tiny L3
tankettes—light, machine-gun-only vehicles suited more for colonial policing
than modern warfare. They were often outclassed and even flipped by determined
infantry.
Bersaglieri Feather Plumes: Elite Bersaglieri light infantry
wore distinctive cock’s-feather plumes on helmets even in combat, maintaining
flamboyant traditions amid mechanized war.
Mass Surrenders with Leaflets: In North Africa, Italian units
sometimes surrendered en masse to propaganda leaflets. One story claims a
soldier asked for an extra leaflet to convince his buddy.
The American Revolution (1775 to1783)
inspired generations of artists who sought to capture its drama, heroism,
sacrifice, and ideals. While many works were created long after the
events—often blending historical fact with artistic license and symbolism—these
paintings have profoundly shaped how Americans visualize their founding
struggle. They range from near-contemporary propaganda pieces to grand
19th-century historical epics. Among the best:
Sully's
massive canvas portrays Washington on horseback overseeing the Delaware
crossing, with soldiers, horses, and cannons in dramatic action under a stormy
sky. It emphasizes tension and resolve. Though less famous than Leutze’s
version, it was an ambitious early attempt at the subject.
The American Revolution (1775 to1783)
inspired generations of artists who sought to capture its drama, heroism,
sacrifice, and ideals. While many works were created long after the
events—often blending historical fact with artistic license and symbolism—these
paintings have profoundly shaped how Americans visualize their founding
struggle. They range from near-contemporary propaganda pieces to grand
19th-century historical epics. Among the best:
The Battle of
Lexington by William Barnes
Wollen (1910)
This
later work captures the opening skirmish at Lexington on April 19,
1775—"the shot heard round the world." It shows the tense clash
between colonial militia and British troops, conveying the sudden ignition of
war.
Love, Sex, and Marriage in Colonial America 1607-1800
The American Revolution (1775 to1783)
inspired generations of artists who sought to capture its drama, heroism,
sacrifice, and ideals. While many works were created long after the
events—often blending historical fact with artistic license and symbolism—these
paintings have profoundly shaped how Americans visualize their founding
struggle. They range from near-contemporary propaganda pieces to grand
19th-century historical epics. Among the best:
The March to Valley
Forge by William B. T. Trego
(1883)
Trego
depicts the Continental Army's grueling winter march to Valley Forge in
December 1777, highlighting hardship, resilience, and determination. Soldiers
trudge through snow with Washington leading; it humanizes the suffering and
endurance of the Revolutionary forces.
These
artworks, while often romanticized, have educated and inspired millions. Many
hang in major museums or the U.S. Capitol, and their reproductions appeared in
textbooks, prints, and currency. They remind us that the Revolution was not
just a series of battles but a profound story of ideas, sacrifice, and nation-building.
For deeper study, resources from the American Revolution Institute and museums
like the Met offer rich context.
Virginia in the American Revolution
How Martha Washington Lived: 18th Century Customs
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