Was McClellan largely responsible for the reverses the Union suffered up to sept 1862

[Admiral_Porter]

I think, also, that the AOP's proximity to Washington made things doubly worse for everyone involved.

I agree.

If I remember correctly Grant knew that Halleck would not approve of his movement to the south of Vicksburg but he knew distance affected the ability to receive orders so he started his march before he got approval.

[CChartreux]

Originally Posted by Admiral_Porter

I agree.

If I remember correctly Grant knew that Halleck would not approve of his movement to the south of Vicksburg but he knew the distance involved in communicating orders so he started his march before he got approval.

I love this guy (Grant); sounds like something he would do. Remember the time he had Sherman 'steal' McClernand's troops? He knew how to get what he wanted...any wonder Vicksburg was his?

[milhistbuff1]

Admiral,
With all due respect, I dont believe the valley analogy applies. Fremont, Banks, Milroy, and Shields, were hardly in the same league as the mid 1863 AOP corp command lineup.

CChartreux, Grant did have halleck looking directly over his shoulder when he took overall command, its just that Lincoln essentially told Halleck and Stanton to keep their mouths shut after Grant got his 3rd star.
Respectfully,
Matt

[Admiral_Porter]

With all due respect, I dont believe the valley analogy applies. Fremont, Banks, Milroy, and Shields, were hardly in the same league as the mid 1863 AOP corp command lineup.

I wasn't comparing their generalship.

I was just saying that having a divided command was a contributing factor in previous federal defeats.

[milhistbuff1]

ok, I believe that factor would have been much less likely to cause problems since professionals would be handling the movements for the most part as opposed to political hacks. Lee gave them an opportunity in the early days of the Gettysburg campaign. Lincoln said to Hoker, something to the effect that the "animal must be pretty slim in the middle" I believe had Hooker requested the Harpers Ferry garrison for the purpose of menacing Lee's rear Lincoln would have forced Halleck and Stanton to give it to him.
Respectfully,
Matt

[Admiral_Porter]

Hooker did request the garrison but Halleck refused to give it to him. He resigned soon after.

[milhistbuff1]

I know, real question is why didnt Lincoln overrule him. Especially since Hooker was doing his best to repair the damage C'Ville caused.

[Admiral_Porter]

Lincoln tried to avoid meddling in the affairs of his military as much as possible.

He would often suggest a course of action rather than order it.

[milhistbuff1]

Lee had a similar style if i'm not mistaken. Was Lincoln so burnt by McClellan's insubordinate attitude that he refused to get actively involved? Surely as a former military vet himself, he understood the necessity of releasing the Harpers Ferry garrison, since he did so as soon as Hooker resigned.
Respectfully,
Matt

[Admiral_Porter]

Surely as a former military vet himself, he understood the necessity of releasing the Harpers Ferry garrison, since he did so as soon as Hooker resigned.

Halleck did this. As far as I know Lincoln had nothing to do with it.

Was Lincoln so burnt by McClellan's insubordinate attitude that he refused to get actively involved?

After a time Lincoln did get involved.

He issued an order which said that all the Federal armies must advance by a certain date in early 1862. Mac got angry and stormed off to protest the move to Lincoln.