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Assuming you mean Military commander-in-chief. I like to think George Thomas (the Other Virginian) was capable of matching Grant for the North and James Lonstreet ('old warhorse') would, probably, have a better understanding that the csa was more than just Va.
....And if it is Presidents, I have long maintained that Lincoln and Davis were the 'best' products of their respective sections.
If one were of a mystical bent, it could seem that both men were born for their respective places in history.
If you could/had to pick a new commander-in-chief for the North & South's forces who would it be?
I assume we are talking Generals not Presidents...
At the beginning of the war for the Union McClellan was the right choice for he could organize and army but could not led one into battle. He lack the fortitude for a fight...
Once the army is organized then I will go with Meade for he proved he could run the army and fight when needed...
If it is about President then for the Union I'm going with either Congressman Thaddus(R) from PA. or Senator Sumner(R) from MA.. They both would have prosecuted the war to it fullest then made the south pay in defeat.
In the South if I can not go with one of the dead General Johnston then I would go with Admiral Semmes for he had the fire in the belly for a fight.
If for CSA President then either Alex Stephans or Breckinridge for almost anyone would have been better then Davis....
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"States Rights are about States Wrongs" - Jesse Jackson
For the North, I would choose Meade. He wasn't relieved per se after Gettysburg and was right there to the end and did a pretty good job.
For the South, I would choose "Old Pete" James Longstreet. "What If' question--If Longstreet had been in command at Gettysburg, how would it have turned out?
For the North, I would choose Meade. He wasn't relieved per se after Gettysburg and was right there to the end and did a pretty good job.
For the South, I would choose "Old Pete" James Longstreet. "What If' question--If Longstreet had been in command at Gettysburg, how would it have turned out?
I have to agree with Meade. I doubt "Old Pete" would have allowed Picket's Charge.
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"Those who forget to remember the past are condemned to repeat it", George Santayana.
I think the non-military Abe with his attorney mindset could grasp the basic concepts of strategy better than West Point trained minds including Jeff Davis. So, for the Union, I'd go with Abe.
Now, for the Confederacy, I'm hesistant to go for Lee since Lee was (understandably) myopic with respects to Virginia. I'd hate to have Joe Johnston as he would retreat if the Ladies Auxiliary made a good demonstration. I suppose I'd go with Jackson as CinC.
If you could/had to pick a new commander-in-chief for the North & South's forces who would it be?
Though he had a bit of an affection for the bottle, John Breckenridge would be my choice for the Confederacy. He would likely not have given key posts to such disasters as Polk, Pemberton, and Granny Holmes, and he would not have let his ego destroy his relationship with Joe Johnston and P.G.T. Beauregard.
For the Union... Lincoln, IMO, was the indispensible man.
"One of the characteristic aspects of this utterly confusing war was the general feeling, among active secessionists, that it was somehow perfidious and unnaturally evil for the Federal government to resist when warlike measures were taken against it."
mused on how the Confederacy could have gotten it right. It's on page 53 of the 2007 revised edition of Company Aytch.
Quote:
Had General Robert E. Lee been the Commander in Chief of our armies, General Joe E. Johnston our Commissary and Quartermaster, General Stonewall Jackson and General N. B. Forrest been our field commanders, then let Bragg been the disciplinarian, whipper and shooter and hanger of evil doers, then our cause would have been a success.
It is clear that Jeff Davis was not the right choice for the Confederacy. Zeb Vance? Petigru? The spot required a Lincoln and he was already taken. Maybe Judah Benjamin? It needed someone who could get along and shape his cabinet into a cooperative group of action-oriented doers. And, for the life of me, I can't name a Confederate who could have done that. There must have been a few, we just don't know his name.
ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
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