John Garcia wrote:
>
> Grant is certainly one of the great American military leaders, and one
> of the great military leaders of the 19th Century worldwide. But I
> believe that it is Sherman who has a better claim to the title of
> greatest American military leader of the 19th Century. It was Sherman
> who conceived the strategy of striking at the enemy's will to make war
> by destroying its means to make war, a strategy adopted in the 20th
> Century by nearly all the major combatants of the Great 20th Century War
> (my term for what is popularly known as World War I and World War II).
> Conventional wisdom of the time thought Sherman a fool for cutting loose
> from his base of supply and marching to the sea, but it was a bold and
> brilliant stroke that certainly shortened the Civil War (War Between the
> States for some of you ;-)). The combination of Grant and Sherman proved
> to be an unbeatable one.
> As far as who might be the greatest American military leader, IMHO, I
> believe that it is Washington, who formulated the strategy that enabled
> the Colonies to win Independence from Great Britain. If I had to list
> them (at least the top five), it would be Washington, Sherman, Grant,
> Marshall, and Nimitz.
>
Making my way slowly but surely through the Foote, I came across the first
mention of both Sherman and Grant. None to flattering, especially Halleck's
first impression of Sherman. So much for first impressions.
You know what I find myself wishing for as I read Civil War
history is a comprehensive book of maps. Does anyone know
if there is anything like that available?
--
Doug
new email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.zo.com/~brighto
