tony_gunter
First Sergeant
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2011
- Location
- Mississippi
Donald Miller on Chickasaw Bayou:
"Grant took Halleck's advice ... [and decided to attack Vicksburg with a riverine operation]. Halleck approved, and when Grant asked whether he or Sherman should lead the river expedition, he left the decision to [Grant]. It would be Sherman, Grant decided." page 221, source Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, Volume 6 page 402.
My reading of that source is the complete opposite of this. For one, Halleck ORDERED Grant to terminate his overland campaign and send an expedition downriver. This preremptory order came after several weeks of Halleck "suggesting" to Grant that he not go too far south and instead send an expedition down river. Grant then asks if he should send the men down river under himself or Sherman. Halleck responds "the President may insist upon designating a separate commander; if not, assign such officers as you deem best. Sherman would be my choice as the chief, under you."
Halleck told Grant to assign a commander, which obviates Grant leading the expedition himself, and Grant had just spent weeks fielding Halleck's preremptory orders disguised as "suggestions," why is this one any different?
"Grant took Halleck's advice ... [and decided to attack Vicksburg with a riverine operation]. Halleck approved, and when Grant asked whether he or Sherman should lead the river expedition, he left the decision to [Grant]. It would be Sherman, Grant decided." page 221, source Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, Volume 6 page 402.
My reading of that source is the complete opposite of this. For one, Halleck ORDERED Grant to terminate his overland campaign and send an expedition downriver. This preremptory order came after several weeks of Halleck "suggesting" to Grant that he not go too far south and instead send an expedition down river. Grant then asks if he should send the men down river under himself or Sherman. Halleck responds "the President may insist upon designating a separate commander; if not, assign such officers as you deem best. Sherman would be my choice as the chief, under you."
Halleck told Grant to assign a commander, which obviates Grant leading the expedition himself, and Grant had just spent weeks fielding Halleck's preremptory orders disguised as "suggestions," why is this one any different?