Ep 4. The Boy Generals
- April 16, 1995
- 42 min
Civil War Journal is an American documentary series that explores the people, places, and events of the American Civil War. In season 3 episode 4, titled The Boy Generals, the focus is on the young men who served as generals in the Confederate and Union armies.
The episode begins by introducing the two most famous boy generals of the Civil War: George Armstrong Custer and John Singleton Mosby. Custer was just 23 when he became a general in the Union army, while Mosby was a mere 21 when he was commissioned as a Confederate colonel.
The episode then delves deeper into the stories of these and other boy generals, exploring how they rose to such high ranks at such young ages. For some, like Custer and Mosby, it was a combination of talent, bravery, and political connections. For others, like Confederate general William "Grumble" Jones, it was a matter of being in the right place at the right time.
Despite their youth, these boy generals proved themselves as capable leaders on the battlefield. The episode recounts several key battles where they played prominent roles, including the Battle of Gettysburg and the Battle of Cedar Creek.
Throughout the episode, interviews with historians and experts provide additional context and analysis. They discuss the societal norms of the time and how they contributed to the phenomenon of boy generals, as well as the criticisms some of these young officers faced from older, more experienced soldiers.
As the war dragged on, many of these boy generals suffered from the same physical and emotional tolls as their older counterparts. The episode explores the challenges they faced, including injuries, illness, and the psychological impact of leading troops into battle.
In the end, The Boy Generals paints a fascinating portrait of a unique subset of Civil War history. By combining archival footage, expert analysis, and compelling storytelling, the episode sheds new light on the experiences of these young men who made such a significant impact on one of the defining conflicts in American history.
