Civil War Compare and Contrast

JerseyBart

Brigadier General
Moderator
Forum Host
Joined
Jul 19, 2006
Location
New Jersey
General Ulysses S. Grant and General Robert E. Lee

List up to 5 differences between them and 5 similarities. No insults, No flame wars or trolling. Host/moderator (me) reserves the right to moderate and thread ban if insults, flaming and/or trolling occur.

(Simple format example)
Differences

1.
2.
3.

Similarities

1.
2.
3.

Have fun.
 
Differences

1. Lee spent his life in the military, Grant left the US Army for civilian life in the years before the war.
2. Grant's strategic vision led to victory, Lee's to defeat.
3. Grant authored an authoritative memoir, Lee left us wanting one.

Similarities

1. Devoted family men.
2. Grew in the esteem of the troops and political leaders by virtue of character and success in operations.
3. Not the top graduate of their respective West Point classes.
 
Grant's strategic resources led to victory, not his vision. Grant authored a controversial memoir.

Lee grew in the esteem of the troops and the public. Grant grew in the esteem of political leaders.

Lee graduated second in his West Point class and earned no demerits. Grant graduated 21st in his West Point class and I don't even know how many demerits he earned.

These guys were so completely different in origin, experience and temperament I can't even really answer the question. Nice idea for a thread, though.
 
Differences:

1. One fought to preserve the nation intact. The other fought to break the nation apart.
2. One was a typical, quintessential American "regular guy" from humble roots. The other was an upper class aristocrat.
3. One wrote clear orders that needed no questions or interpretation. The other didn't and had a key subordinate commander complain, "Why can't the commanding general have someone on his staff who can write an intelligible order?"
4. One sometimes drank too much. The other was obsessive about maintaining control of himself.
5. One worked hard with his hands. The other had others work hard with their hands for him.

Similarities:

1. Both were aggressive generals who sought to gain and maintain the initiative.
2. Both had good working relationships with their respective presidents.
3. Both fostered loyalty from their staffs.
4. Both were educated at West Point and had experience in the Mexican War before the Civil War.
5. Both were personally brave.
 
Back
Top