Saphroneth
Lt. Colonel
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2017
Perhaps the best way to look at the issue of numerical superiority is this.
Did Grant's numerical superiority over Lee actually help him?
Well, we can first look at Grant's attitude towards having a numerical superiority. It's plan as day to see that Grant was pulling in more and more reinforcements pretty much as fast as he could get them, including the whole of 9th Corps, much of Butler's Army of the James and tens of thousands of troops from Washington.
So Grant thought he needed those troops, and either he was right or he was wrong.
If he was right, then, well, Grant's numerical superiority over Lee was significant to how the campaign turned out. Job done.
If however, Grant was wrong and didn't need those troops, then he needlessly endangered Washington (which came close to being taken by Early, and it was only reinforcements rushed to Washington which prevented the peril).
Did Grant's numerical superiority over Lee actually help him?
Well, we can first look at Grant's attitude towards having a numerical superiority. It's plan as day to see that Grant was pulling in more and more reinforcements pretty much as fast as he could get them, including the whole of 9th Corps, much of Butler's Army of the James and tens of thousands of troops from Washington.
So Grant thought he needed those troops, and either he was right or he was wrong.
If he was right, then, well, Grant's numerical superiority over Lee was significant to how the campaign turned out. Job done.
If however, Grant was wrong and didn't need those troops, then he needlessly endangered Washington (which came close to being taken by Early, and it was only reinforcements rushed to Washington which prevented the peril).