- Joined
- Apr 4, 2017
- Location
- Denver, CO
Alexander Brydie Dyer was another Virginian who remained in the US during the Civil War. While Winfield Scott was still running the US Army, he assigned Dyer to run the critically important federal arsenal at Springfield, MA. Dyer's efforts in increasing output of rifles from the armory were a crucial part of the US war effort. This was especially true since Ordnance Chief Ripley's plan to retool the smoothbore muskets into rifles was a failure and has been noted elsewhere US purchases of firearms in Europe usually resulted in the purchase of inferior weapons.
While Scott was still in charge, Montgomery Meigs was appointed chief quartermaster. Robert Allen, who had served under Scott in Mexico, took over in St. Louis. Rufus Ingalls was involved in the Fort Pickens operation eventually took over logistics for McClellan's army. These three served for the duration and it was there persistence that led the US to solve its quartermaster and commissary problems, after great difficulties.
Scott's influence on the way the US Civil War was fought was inaccurately minimized by the journalists of that time.
I note Scott's influence on the Quartermaster department and the critical federal armory in Springfield.
But Scott's protege in California, Henry Halleck, who married a descendant of Alexander Hamilton, came east and eventually became commander in chief. Halleck's traveling companions on the long cruise around the Horn of South America, Sherman and Ord, also became permanent parts of the US Civil War effort.
George Thomas was another Virginian. Although Thomas had served in the US/Mexican war under the other Whig, Zachary Taylor, Thomas was a prominent officer and was sent west to a smaller command while Scott was still in charge. The other field commander who may have benefited from Scott's supervision was Grant. Grant most likely got the opportunity at the Cairo posting due to IL Governor Yates' insistence. Yates got his two preferences, Grant and McClernand to be in charge at that concentration center. Scott was satisfied that at least one was a West Point graduate, with experience in Mexico and on the Pacific Coast.
While Scott was still in charge, Montgomery Meigs was appointed chief quartermaster. Robert Allen, who had served under Scott in Mexico, took over in St. Louis. Rufus Ingalls was involved in the Fort Pickens operation eventually took over logistics for McClellan's army. These three served for the duration and it was there persistence that led the US to solve its quartermaster and commissary problems, after great difficulties.
Scott's influence on the way the US Civil War was fought was inaccurately minimized by the journalists of that time.
I note Scott's influence on the Quartermaster department and the critical federal armory in Springfield.
But Scott's protege in California, Henry Halleck, who married a descendant of Alexander Hamilton, came east and eventually became commander in chief. Halleck's traveling companions on the long cruise around the Horn of South America, Sherman and Ord, also became permanent parts of the US Civil War effort.
George Thomas was another Virginian. Although Thomas had served in the US/Mexican war under the other Whig, Zachary Taylor, Thomas was a prominent officer and was sent west to a smaller command while Scott was still in charge. The other field commander who may have benefited from Scott's supervision was Grant. Grant most likely got the opportunity at the Cairo posting due to IL Governor Yates' insistence. Yates got his two preferences, Grant and McClernand to be in charge at that concentration center. Scott was satisfied that at least one was a West Point graduate, with experience in Mexico and on the Pacific Coast.
Bringing the