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In the spirit of being realistic, I don't think it was politically a viable option to replace Bragg with many leaders. I agree that Taylor would have been a good choice (and he did command it very briefly). Hardee would have been solid. And Johnston was a good choice.
Respectfully
__________________ Up men, and to your post! And let no man forget today that you are from old Virginia!
Larry:
Re: Taylor and Walthall
I've spoken a bit out of turn with my advancement of Taylor, and I don't know enough about the command structure in the Western CSA (except Bragg who was, if not the seed of western troubles, he was the soil) to make a sensible recommendation.
All I know about it I've read on the civilwarwest forum. So I don't know who Walthall is, and those who've done the same kind of recommendation seem to agree on Taylor. Cleburne is often advanced as commander, but I can't see where he demonstrated any command ability. Good fighter, sterling character, adequate devotion, etc. Forrest is often advocated, but I consider that ludicrous -- didn't play well with others.
So. You could advance my education by telling me a little about Walthall and why he may deserve consideration. Or pointing me to a few of his accomplishments. In doing so, we could maybe get this thread going along the lines of better choices (it's getting difficult to find anyone who thinks Braxton wasn't that bad).
Regards,
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
In the spirit of being realistic, I don't think it was politically a viable option to replace Bragg with many leaders. I agree that Taylor would have been a good choice (and he did command it very briefly). Hardee would have been solid. And Johnston was a good choice.
It all comes down to Davis, doesn't it? Can't discuss a Confederate difficulty without involving Davis. I'm finding that, as the process of attacks and defenses opens new opportunities to learn, it's also creating a vague unease of sympathy for the man. Certainly not mediocre, but drowned by a nightmarish confusion of creation and impossibility. Over his head, and probably beyond the capabilities of any mere mortal.
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
I would tend to agree. Davis certainly made some terrible decisions, but he made some good ones in a pretty much impossible situation. A.S. Johnston is sometimes spoken of in very high terms, but I don't think he lived long enough to prove himself either way. He had the right idea at Shiloh, and the Bowling Green line really wasn't his fault. Had he lived, he probably would have been a better choice than Bragg but also probably could not have redeemed the situation in the West.
Respectfully
__________________ Up men, and to your post! And let no man forget today that you are from old Virginia!
Walthall's finest hour or week as it were was the retreat of the army of Tennessee from Nashville to Bainbridge, Alabama between Dec 18, 1864 and December 28. He worked in tandem with Nathan Bedford Forrest to fight the rear guard action against Wilson's cavalry. Here is an excerpt from a previous post. I'll find a bio on the guy in a few minutes.
From History of the 33rd Mississippi:
On 20 December the army had reached Columbia, Tennessee, and what was left of Featherston's Brigade was tasked with being the rear guard of the army and holding off the pursuit of Gen. Wilson's Yankee cavalry. Gen. Featherston's Brigade was temporarily consolidated with Gen. Quarles Brigade for this defense with Gen. Walthall in overall command of the infantry rear guard. Despite all the suffering and privation the men of the 33rd Mississippi had been through they still were brave soldiers and continued to fight on. The action of the rear guard was complimented by the Yankee commander, Gen. Thomas, when he wrote, "with the exception of the rear guard (Hood's) army had become a disheartened and disorganized rabble of half-armed and barefooted men. The rear guard was undaunted and firm, and did its work bravely to the last."
Reaching Columbia, Hood seemed to recover his composure and entertained the idea of remaining in Tennessee, despite his defeat at Nashville. One had only to look closely at the condition of his men to know how foolhardy such a decision could be. Though some closely around him agreed that the army should try to hold the Duck River line, his outspoken cavalry commander, Nathan Bedford Forrest minced few words in giving his opinion. If the state could not positively be held, then it should be abandoned. Forrest was also to have added, "Give me Walthall to command a division of infantry and I promise that the army shall retreat in safety." (Garner) Hood wisely elected to take Forrest's advice.
On the morning of December 20, a dark and bitterly cold day, Hood had summoned his youngest major general, Edward Cary Walthall, to his headquarters. Hood wasted no time in getting to the purpose of his summons. "General Walthall, things are in a bad condition. I have decided to reorganize a rear guard. Forrest says he can't keep the enemy off of us any longer without a strong infantry support, but says he can do it with the help of three thousand infantry with you to command them. You can select any troops in the army. It is a post of great honor, but one of such great peril that I will not impose it on you unless you are willing to take it; and you had better take troops that can be relied upon, for you may have to cut your way out to get to me after the main army gets out. The army must be saved, come what may, and if necessary your command must be sacrificed to accomplish it." (Sanders)
Edward Cary Walthall, a thirty-three year old lawyer from Holly Springs, Mississippi, didn't have to thank any political friends for his promotion to major general during the Atlanta Campaign. His mettle had been tested on many a battlefield, especially at Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. At Chickamauga, Walthall lost thirty-two percent of his command; at Missionary Ridge it was his command that saved Bragg's Army from destruction. At the latter, Walthall was wounded but refused to leave the field until his men were safely withdrawn from the field. During the battle of Franklin, Walthall had two horses shot from under him during his brigade’s fighting at the Carter house cotton gin. Further evidence of Forrest's respect for Walthall's ability was shown on November 30th, in a statement by Rev. James H. McNeilly, of Quarles' Brigade, after the Federals had managed to escape Hood's trap at Spring Hill; "I saw General Forrest sitting alone on his horse, and I went near him. He seemed to be deeply moved, his face expressive of sorrow, anger, and disgust. Directly General Walthall rode up and saluted him, and then he gave expression to his feelings. These were his very words: 'O General, if I had just one of your brigades, just one, to fling across the road, I could have taken the whole-----shebang.' " (CV, 1918, Franklin-Incidents of the battle, by J. H. McNeilly) Walthall was described as "personally, very handsome, dignified in bearing, imposing in manner, neat in dress, eloquent in speech ... and kind to the men who served under him." (Garner)
Wasting little time to consider the consequences of commanding the rearguard, Walthall replied to Hood; "General, I have never asked for a hard place for glory nor a soft place for comfort, but take my chances as they come. Give me the order for the troops, and I will do my best. Being the youngest major general in the army, I believe, my seniors may complain that the place was not offered to them, but that is a matter between you and them." With that, General Hood replied: "Forrest wants you, and I want you."
Hearing that Walthall was chosen to command the infantry of the rearguard, one veteran wrote; "and when he drew his sword in command over the rearguard to cover its retreat, there was not a soldier in it who did not believe that he would do it or perish in the effort..." (CV) Forrest himself, when hearing the news, remarked "Now we will keep them back." (CV)
For the rearguard, Walthall chose eight brigades, numbering 1,621 effectives. He then united these brigades into four divisions as follows; Featherston and Quarles, under command of Brig. Gen. Featherston; Ector and Reynolds, under the command of Brig. Gen. Reynolds; Strahl and Maney, under the command of Colonel Field; Smith and Palmer, under command of General Palmer. The Cavalry consisted of Jackson's, Buford's and Chalmers' divisions of cavalry, and Morton's Battery. The entire force fell under the command of General Forrest. (Sanders)
Above and beyond, my man. Thank you. (I didn't really expect the length you went to, but it is appreciated.)
Walthall sounds like he would have been a prime candidate if there had been any effort in that cursed army to develop and recognize talented officers. More men like him in place of Bragg's lieutenants would have had a profound influence on the fortunes of the AoT.
Thank you.
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
Ole, I just happened to have the Walthall info in my pocket. Lots of fine officers rarely get mentioned in these forums. This guy deserved a few seconds on the stage. Nice to know folks read this stuff. I, for one, learn much just stumbling around this site. My thanks to you all and our hosts!
Elektratig : I find myself agreeing with you 99.9% (not sure about Johnston giving up Atlanta). Like Ole says, he was not a winning general, so must be regarded as a failure, I do however, think that history has been a little unkind to him. I think this is down to his personality, with a little better PR he might have come out of the situation a little better. OK, lets look at a winning generals record, lets pick one at random, say General Sherman, whupped at Bull Run, removed from command for being ‘crazy’, whupped at Shiloh, whupped at Chicksaw Bayou, did not agree with Grants overland campaign to take Vicksburg, whupped at Tunnell Hill, whupped at Resaca, whupped at New Hope Church and whupped at Kennesaw Mountain, in fact, I am finding it hard to think of an offensive battle he did win. Its amazing what good PR can achieve, isn’t it? (Tongue very much in cheek).
I have only just come into this forum, so am a novice, but it has certainly made me sit up and think, re-read a few articles and made me think a little harder and wider to get a better understanding of the whole war . Excellent posts from everybody, well thought out and reasoned and yes, General Walthall was an excellent officer.
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