Here's a previous discussion about Sheridan that might be of interest to you: https://civilwartalk.com/threads/philip-sheridan.134169/
The last last of the war Sheridan was the MVP...
Phil Sheridan "MVP" of the Civil War...!! | The Eastern Theater
In the last days of the Civil War, one man brought his "A" game to the field of battle. He get little recognition for his "MVP" performance in the waining days of the war. If it had not been war but a sport it would be his name we speak of instead of the man who place the pieces on the...civilwartalk.com
Or, alternatively, he and his PR people were in the right place at the right time to maximize media adoration. One can easily make the argument that what he actually accomplished could have been done by a number of other senior officers.Exactly my point. He showed up when it counted. Thanks for posting.
Kinda like his 1-11-1 record as commander of the Army of the Potomac's Cavalry Corps? Or the fact that Early's army escaped to fight another day after each engagement in the Valley Campaign?
Or, alternatively, he and his PR people were in the right place at the right time to maximize media adoration. One can easily make the argument that what he actually accomplished could have been done by a number of other senior officers.
I like to suggest you have overlooked somethings about Sheridan and his accomplishments. Yes, tactically he may have been bested in a few cavalries fights but strategically, he was winning the big game. From the time he got out from under Gen. Meade's yoke, the Confederate cavalry was fighting off its back foot for Sheridan claimed the initiative and never lost it. It most of the Eastern Theater the Confederate cavalry dominated the field and always had the initiative until Gen. Sheridan arrived and given free rein.
Gen. Sheridan, strategically achieve his main goal by bringing death to Gen. Stuart. I know Rhea also says Gen. Grant was deprived of his eyes after Spotsylvania by Sheridan's actions deprived Gen. Lee of his eyes too. Strategically, Gen. Sheridan cut off the head of the Confederate cavalry, took the initiative away from the Confederate cavalry and kept them occupied, and showed the Confederate cavalry that Union cavalry was just as good as Confederate cavalry and was getting better.
In the Shenandoah Valley, it may not have been textbook but he routed the Confederate cavalry, routed Early's army, controlled and burned the valley and starved the Confederate raiders... all strategic successes...
In those last days of the war in post-8# Sheridan the one who puts in the final nails into Lee's AoNV coffin...
Yes, tactically you can question Sheridan but you can not question his success in playing the big game...
Ummm...no.
And with that, I have said all to you that I ever intend to say, now or ever. I am not going down your troll rabbit holes ever again. If that means that you get the last word, good for you.
He was generally best whenever either he had no enemy army in front of him or one that was nearly on its knees. Change my mind.I like to suggest you have overlooked somethings about Sheridan and his accomplishments. Yes, tactically he may have been bested in a few cavalries fights but strategically, he was winning the big game. From the time he got out from under Gen. Meade's yoke, the Confederate cavalry was fighting off its back foot for Sheridan claimed the initiative and never lost it. It most of the Eastern Theater the Confederate cavalry dominated the field and always had the initiative until Gen. Sheridan arrived and given free rein.
Gen. Sheridan, strategically achieve his main goal by bringing death to Gen. Stuart. I know Rhea also says Gen. Grant was deprived of his eyes after Spotsylvania by Sheridan's actions deprived Gen. Lee of his eyes too. Strategically, Gen. Sheridan cut off the head of the Confederate cavalry, took the initiative away from the Confederate cavalry and kept them occupied, and showed the Confederate cavalry that Union cavalry was just as good as Confederate cavalry and was getting better.
In the Shenandoah Valley, it may not have been textbook but he routed the Confederate cavalry, routed Early's army, controlled and burned the valley and starved the Confederate raiders... all strategic successes...
In those last days of the war in post-8# Sheridan the one who puts in the final nails into Lee's AoNV coffin...
Yes, tactically you can question Sheridan but you can not question his success in playing the big game...
Ummm...no.
Change my mind.
He was generally best whenever either he had no enemy army in front of him or one that was nearly on its knees. Change my mind.
Or, alternatively, he and his PR people were in the right place at the right time to maximize media adoration. One can easily make the argument that what he actually accomplished could have been done by a number of other senior officers.
The same can be said about Winfield Scott Hancock. Anybody know of any others who fit this description?