Like most of them, Grant had no large unit command experience and it showed. The difference with Grant is that he learned how to conduct combined arms operations. He learned what the telegraph could do as a command and communication instrument. He adjusted to the new reality of railroad logistics, and he eventually rebuilt the Army of the Potomac as an army of movement. Despite the expense involved, he got the politicians to pay for the big cavalry units that were vital to ending the war rapidly from September 1864 to April 1865.
Starting from being a post junior officer in California, he found out he could command a regiment. Then his tactical successes in Missouri did not involve much fighting, but he put Fremont in a position to clear the Confederates out of most of Missouri.I think you make the same mistake Grants foes did, you underrate him.
Sorry, I was looking at the big picture as to which general would win the entire war not the individual battles.I don't think they would nescesarily win every time depending on the side but with great startegy and leadership as you can see below and I can name more battles where no matter howmany boys in blue they union had, no matter how outgunned the Confederates were, no matter who was better supplied, the Confederates in these battles win in all of these battles I can name.
2nd Manassas Lee: 50,000 Union: 62,000 Confederate victory
Fredricksburg: Lee: 72,000 Union: 114,000 Confederate victory
Chancellorsville: Lee: 60,892 Union: 133,868 Confederate victory
Starting from being a post junior officer in California, he found out he could command a regiment. Then his tactical successes in Missouri did not involve much fighting, but he put Fremont in a position to clear the Confederates out of most of Missouri.
Capturing Paducah was just tactical speed. There was not much fighting.
His achievement at Belmont was not giving up when he had a chance to get back to the transports.
By Shiloh his tactical contribution was mainly in arranging a fall back line supported by artillery and the gunboats. After that, his plans were almost always the same. Degrade the enemy's logistics, and protect your own logistics.
As a general, his genius was common sense. As a politician he had a 10 period from 1863 to 1874 when he made few mistakes.