I want to start a rather fun discussion. Which were the best at what they did and why? E.g. Who was the best cavalry commander, Le Marchant or Paget? etc etc...
Also I loved your "Russian Generals Ranked" series @Joshua Provan , very informative and enjoyable!๐
Quartermaster General Department
George Murray
William DeLancey
See Next to Wellington. General Sir George Murray. Helion and Company.
Murray was an excellent staff officer. Although in the Guards, he served in the QMG Department on a number of expeditions: Hanover 1805 as the Deputy QMG, Copenhagen 1807 as the DQMG, Sweden 1808 under Moore as the QMG, Portugal 1808-1809 under Moore as the QMG, Peninsula 1809-1811, 1813-1814 under Wellington as the QMG, France 1815 as the QMG and France 1815-1818 as the QMG [served also as Chief of Staff to the Allied Army of Occupation 1815-1818] In 1814 he was placed on the staff of the army in Canada to command in Upper Canada.
Adjutant General Department
Charles Stewart
Edward Pakenham
Lord Aylmer
I think George Murray deserves a mention in this discussion also. I've gotten the impression so far that he's Wellington's best staff officer, although I admittedly don't know much about him.
I'd greatly appreciate it if someone who knows more could chime in on this subject.
Not directly. Moore arrived on the Portuguese coast with his division in late August 1808 after Wellesley had been superceded by Burrard. On the 17th September, Wellesley wrote Moore a friendly letter, basically saying that he (W) thought Moore should be commander-in-chief, and offering to speak to his government friends to try and lessen the hostility the Tory government felt towards Moore.
Since Moore was senior to Wellesley, the question would have been 'Was Wellesley one of Moore's best commanders?'
Too bad Moore died early, he would have made the list...
In no particular order:
Corps Level
John Hope
Thomas Graham
Rowland Hill
Stapleton Cotton
William Beresford
Lord Paget
Division Level
Thomas Picton
Lowry Cole
Charles Alten
Robert Craufurd
James Leith
Edward Pakenham
Charles Colville
Lord Dalhousie
Cavalry
Stapleton Cotton
Lord Paget
Henry Fane
William Lumley
John Le Marchant
Royal Artillery
William Robe
Alexander Dickson
Augustus Frazer
Royal Engineers
Richard Fletcher
Howard Elphinstone
John Burgoyne
Agree on 'Daddy' Hill. Picton, Crauford also deserve mention.
Who is often, if not always, overlooked is Alexander Dickson, Wellington's artillery commander. He was both an excellent soldier and artilleryman.
His manuscripts are full of detail on the artillery operations in Portugal and Spain under Wellington.
For the years 1809, 1810, 1811:
The Dickson Manuscripts: Being Diaries, Letters, Maps, Account Books, with ... - Sir Alexander Dickson - Google Books
There is also a 'chapter' on New Orleans which is very valuable and it is not with the published manuscripts.
Wellington's artillerymen and engineers are too often overlooked.
Great question. Best overall commander is probably Rowland Hill, who was able to operate a semi independent command and won a few independent actions. Graham is also considered a contender by many (including me), but we saw more of Hill's skill over the course of the Peninsular War than Graham's.
For cavalry, Paget is an obvious and strong choice, as is Le Marchant. Both had issues with their men over-extending themselves (Salamanca and Waterloo respectively). Not sure if i'd favour one over the other personally.