Grant gets commision in the AotP

[Dred]

After reading the new post about Forts Henry and Donelson I got to thinking...

What would have happened if Grant had gotten commission in the Army of the Potomac when he first applied to it back in .. 1861 was it? Would his progress have been stymied by the political bickering in the ranks? Would he have brought greater successes earlier? Who would have taken over in the west and would whoever have been as effective? Would Sherman have ever become a major player? This is a big one, it would have affected so much for the rest of the war. Thoughts?

[gary]

The opportunity for independent command where he could demonstrate his tenacity would have been limited. Unless he led at Balls Bluff (Leesburg), he would have been just another brigadier in the sea of brigadiers.

[OpnDownfall]

I agree, it would have been difficult for him to shine under the timid McClellan or the other uninspired and uninspiring senior officers of the AoP. Grants decisiveness and confidence would almost certainly have gotten a bad review from Little Mac.