Grant's Hammer

[ole]

In there, dvr, is the complexity ... and the reason why we can't sit in our armchairs and judge. On the sharp edge is the need to keep the other guy off balance and reacting. Grant knew that and Lee knew that.

Whenever it appears that they were being stupid and taking egregious risks, they were jostling for an advantage. Keep 'em tilted.

Lee, bless his heart, got confronted by a general who didn't know quit. Not going to speculate on who was the better, but it was his first and last exposure to an equal.

Ole

 

[Remember1864]

"Petersburg- Made a beautiful tactical move across the river , made a very successfull initial attack, storming several forts and taking several miles of lines and then stopped." BillO

Huh? Grant had little to do with the main assault on Petersburg 15 June 1864. This "lost opportunity" can be attributed to one William F. "Baldy" Smith of the XVIII Corps. Wasn't Grant's decision to stop after the fighting ceased on the night of the 15th. Smith made the call. And in his defense, he had some decent reasons for his judgement call. Regardless, many NCOs under Smith were cursing him harshly that night. Seems as if the rank and file of the AoJ and the AoP had a better idea of the CS defensive posture around Petersburg than those making the decisions.

John Marler
Franklin, TN