It's hard to argue against Forrest, Jackson, Sickles, Jackson et. al. However, I would like to submit Edwin Vose Sumner for 'Honorable Mention.'
1. "Bull" Sumner was born in Boston, December 30, 1797. This made him 64 years old when he commanded II Corps in the Army of the Potomac during the Peninsula Campaign. Those of us on the far side of 60 who have also lived rough on active service can appreciate what that statement means.
2. Sumner received a direct commission to the Army in 1819. This meant he had served as a cavalryman longer than many of his contemporary commanders had been alive. This includes his GinC, George McClellan.
3. Sumner has been described as a 'Martinet' with 'Old Army' ideas about discipline. His nickname 'Bull' is attributed to many origins. Some say the troops referred to him as the "Bull of the Woods" for his stentorian voice. Others say it was because he was notoriously "Bull-headed!" My favorite explanation comes from Colonel Marvin Sully when he commanded the 1st Minnesota. Sully maintained that during a firefight with some plains Indians before the War, Sumner was in the middle of the firing line and was struck in the forehead. Someone picked up the round after if bounced off Sumner's forehead and found it had been flattened. Sully claimed that the troops called Sumner 'Bullhead' after the incident. (Sully may have gotten the wrong war. At Cerro Gordo, Sumner was struck in the forehead by a spent Mexican round.)
4. Sumner was no stranger to danger. Sumner had been wounded in Mexico and at Glendale. He personally led his corps into the fight at Antietam and was well forward at Fredericksburg. This personal involvement in the fight has led critics to say that he was less than effective as a Corps Commander. Probably true-but no one can deny his courage. A Dr. Hand describes Sumner's demeanor in a fight (Again Glendale): "As we reached General Sumner he was, in his usual way, swinging his spectacles in his hand, and just then, a bullet broke one of the glasses. He was much annoyed, but then quickly told Colonel Sully to bring up all the reserves.
5. Sumner has been criticized for being an Old School Cavalry Colonel not suitable for Corps Command. He suffered criticism at Williamsburg from McClellan (Who was starting his pattern of not being where the fight was) for not handling the troops efficiently. Since this was the Army of the Potomac's first real battle under McClellan's regime, I might argue that few others would have done better and that McClellan was looking for a scapegoat. At Savage Station and Glendale, Sumner again took command in the conspicuous absence of McClellan and fought two creditable delaying actions. Of course, at Savage Station, 'Bull' refused to leave the field after the rebels had fallen back even though the Army was in General Retreat (Oops! I mean it was changing its base!). Anyway, it took a direct order and threat of arrest to get the old fighter to fall back.
6. Sumner could be generous. At Glendale, Sumner sent the better part of his Corps to support Franklin against Stonewall. Again, at Malvern Hill, when Porter's Corps was being hit hard, Porter observed, "At an early hour of the day Sumner kindly sent me Caldwell's brigade, as he thought I might need help." This, to me, reflects a flexibility and grasp of battle command not normally associated with Bull Sumner. These are handy traits to have when your GinC habitually makes himself scarce when the bullets start flying.
7. Sumner's finest hour was perhaps at Fair Oaks/Seven Pines. After the drubbing Keyes and Couch took on the first day, it appeared that the Confederates were poised to destroy 40% or better of the Army of the Potomac. Sumner had his Corps lined up on the northern side of the Chickahominey at Grapevine Bridge ready to strike in the event that McClellan would get off his butt to order his advance. When the order came, a nervous Engineer Officer pointed out that the river was at flood stage and that the bridge would not hold the weight of his troops and guns, Sumner exclaimed, "But Sir! I am ordered!!" At that, Second Corps advanced, the weight of the troops and guns settling the bridge and Sumner did what he did best, He 'Marched to his front like a soldier' (Thank you Mr. Kipling) and saved the day.
8. Edwin Vose Sumner resigned his command after Hooker was selected as the Army of the Potomac commander after the debacle at Fredericksburg. Perhaps Sumner was tired of being passed over by junior officers, perhaps he was just tired of the slughter in Virginia. I personally think he couldn't stand to be under the command a a man as morally bereft as Hooker.
9. Edwin Vose Sumner requested and was granted command of the Department of Missouri where the old cavalryman could fight the war he learned on the plains against irregular forces and brigands. 'Bull' Sumner contracted the flu on his way to Missouri and died in Syracuse, New York
_________________ Dan Peterjohn General, United States Volunteers Army of the Tennessee Commanding
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