In which we discuss Napoleons generals

[storealex]

Recently I've become interested in Napoleons Marchalls and generals and would like to know more, especially about their abilities as generals. I would like to see a rating of his 10 most able generals/Marchalls, with a few words to each explaining their placement of the list

So far my list looks like this, but I admit Im no expert and would like to be corrected, as well as I would like more words to each person on the list:

1. Davout. Instrumental in several great victories. Able to operate on his own and still obtain victory. Loyal to the end. A bit harsh on his troops.

2. Maséna. Very important in Italy and onwards.

3. Ney. Great general, brave and loyal. Too aggressive and not too effective in the end.

4. Murat. Supreme cavalry commander. Able to swing the tide of many battles with dashing cavalry charges. Not much of a ruler.

5. Lannes. Same as Maséna, but less important. Perhaps due to early death.

6. Berthier. Not really a general, but instrumental in all Napoleons battles except the 100 days,.

7. Bernadotte. Very skillful, but often let's his personal grudges get in the way of victory.

8. Macdonald. A good, stable commander. Not too creative.

9. Lasalle. The best light cavalry commander the world has seen.

10. Soult. You tell me?

 

[LightSpectra]

On two separate occasions (Bautzen and Waterloo), Ney caused Napoleon to lose a war. He was a valiant but inconsistent general.

Napoleon considered Massena to be his greatest general -- who am I to argue with the man himself? -- but I'd say Lannes is the greatest. He was more successful in the Peninsular War than Bonaparte himself.

 

[privatehudson]

On two separate occasions (Bautzen and Waterloo), Ney caused Napoleon to lose a war. He was a valiant but inconsistent general.

I think its rather dubious to claim that Ney lost the 1815 campaign because of his performance at Waterloo. What Ney did at Quatre Bras had more impact on that campaign, by Waterloo the French were already in a pretty sticky situation and the blame for that lies more with the Emperor than Ney.

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

What happened at Bautzen? Do you mean Berezina?

 

[LightSpectra]

I think its rather dubious to claim that Ney lost the 1815 campaign because of his performance at Waterloo. What Ney did at Quatre Bras had more impact on that campaign, by Waterloo the French were already in a pretty sticky situation and the blame for that lies more with the Emperor than Ney.

At Waterloo, Ney's cavalry corps could've been used for something better than, say, nothing.

What happened at Bautzen? Do you mean Berezina?

Napoleon's plan at Bautzen was to use Ney's cavalry to annihilate the retreating Allies. Ney misunderstood the plan and thus the Coalition survived.

 

[privatehudson]

At Waterloo, Ney's cavalry corps could've been used for something better than, say, nothing.

Such as sitting around twiddling their thumbs whilst he casts around for enough infantry to make another effective attack?