Should JEB Stuart commanded infantry?

[nbforrest]

Of course the problem would be finding a command for Stuart that would not been seen as a demotion. I mean, there weren't exactly a lot of division or corps sized independent commands that Stuart could have been handed.

Respectfully

[Miss Markie]

partisan ranger, like Mosby? I think Stuart loved it most when he was off ridin' a raid, and I always see him as an independent.

[samgrant]

As Cav was his 'specialty' it would seem odd to 'switch (from) horses in midstream'.

[ole]

Forrest and Stuart were especially good at what they were doing. It might well be that they were considered for infantry command but were passed over because of their demonstrated skill at other things. It might also be that they were considered unready for an infantry command. They had both been briefly in command of infantry and managed to do well enough on those occasions, but neither can be said to have been tested.

I suspect neither were qualified. As they weren't tested to my knowldege, I can only have an opinion.

Just a thought.
Ole

[milhistbuff1]

What about Sheridan? Why did Grant give him command of the AOP cav. when he had only really commanded infantry?
Respectfully,
Matt

[ole]

What about Sheridan? Why did Grant give him command of the AOP cav. when he had only really commanded infantry?

Sheridan was going the other way. Sheridan had proved himself a better-than-average infantry commander. Is there any reason to believe he couldn't operate cavalry as well?

I guess I'm saying that, on the surface, I'd think managing cavalry would be easier than managing infantry. I could be wrong.
Ole

[nbforrest]

An interesting point about Sheridan. I personally think he was a bit of a failure as a cavalry commander, so that would tend to make me be a bit cautious in saying that cavalry commanders could be quickly switched to infantry command. Certainly it happened successfully, but it seems only on a smaller scale. Earl Van Dorn and Abraham Buford come to mind in successful infantry to cavalry switches.

Respectfully

[r_moody]

I think that Grant wanted to change the role of the cavalry in the AOP. He was going to rely on the rivers as his main supply route and reduce the need for long mule trains that needed to be defended by cavalry. By doing so he could shift the focus from a traditional cavalry to mounted infantry al'a Forrest. IIRC Grant and Halleck both wanted this change in style as Halleck suggested Sheridan before Grant mentioned his name. I can't think of anyone who I would have picked over Sheridan for this style of fighting. It would take time to get this newer style of cavalry into the minds of the eastern troopers. As it developed Sheridans force became effective to the war effort but not in the traditional way. Sheridan had mounted infantry with all of the logistical support that Forrest could only dream of. Grant was very determined to change the style of fighting in the east to reflect what the west had been doing for years. Grant promoted generals that fought his way, the other traditional generals were passed over for more aggressive generals like Sheridan. Grant was willing to sacrifice tactical error for speed. Sheridan and Sherman both fit this style.

Rick

[nbforrest]

I don't entirely disagree, and I too see a pattern in Grant's choices, but perhaps with a bit more negative tinge. Generals like Sheridan and Sherman seem to have been chosen by Grant more on personal attachment and favoritism rather than any innate skill. Both were rather mediocre tacticians. But they won. Perhaps Grant truly did see that fighting spirit and agressiveness was what was needed to win the war; great tactical skills weren't really necessary (as I think Grant demonstrated). I don't fully buy Wittenberg's criticisms of Sheridan, but I suppose he is overrated to some extent (but aren't most very famous generals?)

Respectfully

[Highfly]

I'd have to agree that there seems to be a pattern in Grant's choices. Though Sherman and Sheridan weren't the most brilliant of tacticians they were ruthless in their approaches to the enemy, much like he was with his policy of unconditional surrender.

~ Highfly