Hornets Nest and Gen. Prentiss..?

[5fish]

The historical record seems to indicate Grant was Not particularly skillled (having great ability) in politics.

But why OPN?

His damage control after Shiloh it was obvious and it worked.

He easily handle McCernand a political rascal.

He easily handle Butler, Baldy Smith, and Burnside when he was in the east.

So where does this historical notion that Grant was not particularity skilled comes from? It must come from his informal nature that makes him seem naive at politics.

Maybe someone knows something for what I see a skilled manager of military politics with any back stabbing done when needed.

[timewalker]

But why OPN?

His damage control after Shiloh it was obvious and it worked.

He easily handle McCernand a political rascal.

He easily handle Butler, Baldy Smith, and Burnside when he was in the east.

So where does this historical notion that Grant was not particularity skilled comes from? It must come from his informal nature that makes him seem naive at politics.

Maybe someone knows something for what I see a skilled manager of military politics with any back stabbing done when needed.

I don't know that I would say that he "handled" Butler and Burnside. He lived with them because Lincoln told him they were too necessary politically for the 1864 election. Once the election was over and they were no longer necessary, he jettisoned them with Lincoln's blessing. A true political operative would have figured out a way to get rid of them without any political ramifications, but that was not done.

I think at the beginning Grant was indeed naive when it came to politics. He learned as the war progressed, but I do not get the feeling he was ever skilled at politics the way, say, Halleck was. Indeed, after the war Grant found out the way Halleck had played him and his opinion of Halleck plummeted.

[OpnDownfall]

What is seen as craft and guile of a high order by some, is seen by others as politics (old army style) as usual.
The 'damage control' exercised after Shiloh, If such it was, was not particularly effective. Grant lost control of his campaign to Halleck and if not for Halleck's being promoted and called East, Grant would have most probably left the army, under a cloud.
With Lincoln behind him, Grant needed no great poklitical talent.
Few competent army commander's position would have been challenged by Smith, Butler Or Burnside.
Lincoln, a politician of some ability in his own right, was not impressed by Grant's political skills, but his military ability to win battles with a minimum of hand holding from the White House.

[5fish]

I have a question:

When you read accounts of people at the Hornet Nest, they refer to Gen. Grant ridding up to Gen Prentiss and telling him to hold the line. Gen. Grant is quoted to have said "hold at all Hazard".

Why does Gen. Grant leave this whole moment out of his Official Report and memoirs?

It would be hard to believe Gen. Grant would forget this important moment of the battle and not giving Gen. Prentiss his due.

Did it even happen?