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OR Thomas vs Slowtrot Sherman?
From "The Shipwreck of Their Hopes" by Peter Cozzens regarding actions on the left wing of the Union Army at Missionary Ridge. Page 150
"Bragg had handed Sherman the chance to destroy his army; the Ohioan let it slip through his fingers. As the morning passed, he kept the two Smiths busy digging in while waiting for Ewing to get his entire division across the river. Down in Fort Wood, Grant was growing impatient with his friend. Still, reflecting both his confidence in and unwillingness to offend his touchy compatriot, Grant stopped short of peremptorily ordering him forward, Instead, at 11:20 A.M., he wrote him a solicitous note:
Thomas' forces are confronting enemy's line of rifle pits, which seem to be weakly lined with troops. Considerable movement has taken place on the ridge toward you. Howard has sent a force to try and flank the enemy on our left, and to send through to communicate with you. Until I hear from you I am loath to give any orders for a general engagement. Hooker seems to have been engaged for some time, but how I have not heard. Does there seem to be a force prepared to receive you east of the ridge? Send me word what can aid you.
Nothing short of a kick in the pants, would start Sherman on his way before he was ready. The normally compassionate James Wilson, who had gotten off the Dunbar to watch the attack, was both mystified and angry with Sherman. With or without Ewing, Wilson believed,
there was nothing left for him to do but move against the enemy. The country was entirely open, and, while the ground was high and rolling, the way both to the enemy,s flank and rear lay straight out from the river. Nothing could be more favorable to a direct attack or to a turning movement against the enemy's right flank and rear, but from the first...Sherman's movements were slow and ineffective. Instead of pushing resolutely to the attack he lost several hours in digging rifle pits to cover the brigade....The simple fact is that Sherman with all his brilliancy, was not the man for such bold and conclusive operation.
Wilson's opinion was gotten by Cozzens from Wilson's book "Under the old Flag."
Ever read about Sherman having a case of the slows?
From "The Shipwreck of Their Hopes" by Peter Cozzens regarding actions on the left wing of the Union Army at Missionary Ridge. Page 150
"Bragg had handed Sherman the chance to destroy his army; the Ohioan let it slip through his fingers. As the morning passed, he kept the two Smiths busy digging in while waiting for Ewing to get his entire division across the river. Down in Fort Wood, Grant was growing impatient with his friend. Still, reflecting both his confidence in and unwillingness to offend his touchy compatriot, Grant stopped short of peremptorily ordering him forward, Instead, at 11:20 A.M., he wrote him a solicitous note:
Thomas' forces are confronting enemy's line of rifle pits, which seem to be weakly lined with troops. Considerable movement has taken place on the ridge toward you. Howard has sent a force to try and flank the enemy on our left, and to send through to communicate with you. Until I hear from you I am loath to give any orders for a general engagement. Hooker seems to have been engaged for some time, but how I have not heard. Does there seem to be a force prepared to receive you east of the ridge? Send me word what can aid you.
Nothing short of a kick in the pants, would start Sherman on his way before he was ready. The normally compassionate James Wilson, who had gotten off the Dunbar to watch the attack, was both mystified and angry with Sherman. With or without Ewing, Wilson believed,
there was nothing left for him to do but move against the enemy. The country was entirely open, and, while the ground was high and rolling, the way both to the enemy,s flank and rear lay straight out from the river. Nothing could be more favorable to a direct attack or to a turning movement against the enemy's right flank and rear, but from the first...Sherman's movements were slow and ineffective. Instead of pushing resolutely to the attack he lost several hours in digging rifle pits to cover the brigade....The simple fact is that Sherman with all his brilliancy, was not the man for such bold and conclusive operation.
Wilson's opinion was gotten by Cozzens from Wilson's book "Under the old Flag."
Ever read about Sherman having a case of the slows?
Bringing the