Joshua Horn
Sergeant
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2012
- Location
- Wake Forest, NC
America’s Most Reconsidered General by Phil Leigh
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/01/americas-most-reconsidered-general/
I think Grant was a good general as shown at Forts Henry and Donelson, Vicksburg, Chattanooga, etc. He was good at quick movements and diligent tenacity. He was one of the best generals the Union had, if not the very best. But he wasn't the greatest general the war produced. In the Overland and Petersburg campaigns his movements were not brilliant. The main redeeming quality he had over previous commanders of the Army of the Potomac was his perseverance. He kept going and didn't retreat after one retreat.
I don't think he would have beaten Lee if they had equal numbers. But he was the man the Union needed, as they had the superior forces in Virginia, they just needed someone to use them.
Grant was a multidimensional man, and not without brilliant qualities. But the time is long past when he should be evaluated from only one perspective.. In the same way that mid-20th century historians revised the pitiful depths to which they had cast the man, today’s scholars and writers need to rethink the pedestal upon which they have placed him. After all, Teflon can be slippery.
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/01/americas-most-reconsidered-general/
I think Grant was a good general as shown at Forts Henry and Donelson, Vicksburg, Chattanooga, etc. He was good at quick movements and diligent tenacity. He was one of the best generals the Union had, if not the very best. But he wasn't the greatest general the war produced. In the Overland and Petersburg campaigns his movements were not brilliant. The main redeeming quality he had over previous commanders of the Army of the Potomac was his perseverance. He kept going and didn't retreat after one retreat.
I don't think he would have beaten Lee if they had equal numbers. But he was the man the Union needed, as they had the superior forces in Virginia, they just needed someone to use them.