Challenges of Command in the Civil War

Challenges of Command in the Civil War

Author: Richard J. Sommers

Publisher:

Published: 2018-06-14

Total Pages: 252

ISBN-13: 1611214335

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Dr. Richard Sommers’ Challenges of Command in the Civil War distills six decades of studying the Civil War into two succinct, thought-provoking volumes. This first installment focuses on “Civil War Generals and Generalship.” The subsequent volume will explore “Civil War Strategy, Operations, and Organization.” Each chapter is a free-standing essay that can be appreciated in its own right without reading the entire book. Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee stand out in Volume I as Dr. Sommers analyzes their generalship throughout the Civil War. Their exercise of command in the decisive Virginia Campaign from May 1864 to April 1865 receives particular attention—especially during the great Siege of Petersburg, about which the author has long ranked as the pioneering and pre-eminent historian. Five chapters evaluating Grant and Lee are followed by five more on “Civil War Generals and Generalship.” One of those essays, “American Cincinnatus,” explores twenty citizen-soldiers who commanded mobile army corps in the Union Army and explains why such officers were selected for senior command. Antietam, Gettysburg, and Petersburg are central to three essays on Northern corps and wing commanders. Both Federals and Confederates are featured in “Founding Fathers: Renowned Revolutionary War Relatives of Significant Civil War Soldiers and Statesmen.” The ground-breaking original research underlying that chapter identifies scores of connections between the “Greatest Generations” of the 18th and 19th Centuries—far more than just the well-known link of “Light Horse Harry” Lee to his son, Robert E. Lee. From original research in Chapter 10 to new ways of looking at familiar facts in Chapters 6-9 to distilled judgments from a lifetime of study in Chapters 1-5, Challenges of Command invites readers to think—and rethink—about the generalship of Grant, Lee, and senior commanders of the Civil War. This book is an essential part of every Civil War library.


Book Synopsis Challenges of Command in the Civil War by : Richard J. Sommers

Download or read book Challenges of Command in the Civil War written by Richard J. Sommers and published by . This book was released on 2018-06-14 with total page 252 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Dr. Richard Sommers’ Challenges of Command in the Civil War distills six decades of studying the Civil War into two succinct, thought-provoking volumes. This first installment focuses on “Civil War Generals and Generalship.” The subsequent volume will explore “Civil War Strategy, Operations, and Organization.” Each chapter is a free-standing essay that can be appreciated in its own right without reading the entire book. Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee stand out in Volume I as Dr. Sommers analyzes their generalship throughout the Civil War. Their exercise of command in the decisive Virginia Campaign from May 1864 to April 1865 receives particular attention—especially during the great Siege of Petersburg, about which the author has long ranked as the pioneering and pre-eminent historian. Five chapters evaluating Grant and Lee are followed by five more on “Civil War Generals and Generalship.” One of those essays, “American Cincinnatus,” explores twenty citizen-soldiers who commanded mobile army corps in the Union Army and explains why such officers were selected for senior command. Antietam, Gettysburg, and Petersburg are central to three essays on Northern corps and wing commanders. Both Federals and Confederates are featured in “Founding Fathers: Renowned Revolutionary War Relatives of Significant Civil War Soldiers and Statesmen.” The ground-breaking original research underlying that chapter identifies scores of connections between the “Greatest Generations” of the 18th and 19th Centuries—far more than just the well-known link of “Light Horse Harry” Lee to his son, Robert E. Lee. From original research in Chapter 10 to new ways of looking at familiar facts in Chapters 6-9 to distilled judgments from a lifetime of study in Chapters 1-5, Challenges of Command invites readers to think—and rethink—about the generalship of Grant, Lee, and senior commanders of the Civil War. This book is an essential part of every Civil War library.

Taming The Tar Heel Department: D.H. Hill And The Challenges Of Operational-Level Command During The American Civil War

Taming The Tar Heel Department: D.H. Hill And The Challenges Of Operational-Level Command During The American Civil War

Author: Major Brit K. Erslev

Publisher: Pickle Partners Publishing

Published: 2015-11-06

Total Pages: 86

ISBN-13: 1786255863

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The purpose of this monograph is to identify skills and capabilities required by commanders to excel at the operational level of war and in the practice of operational art. The author evaluated the performance of Confederate Major General Daniel Harvey Hill in his role as a department commander during the American Civil War. Department commanders were responsible for sequencing tactical operations to support the accomplishment of their government’s strategic objectives but received little guidance on how to fulfill their missions. The monograph concludes that twenty first century American military officers in similar command positions must be able to make decisions given ambiguous guidance and a fluid operational environment, be creative and active in developing innovative techniques to better understand the operational environment, and be able to craft holistic campaign plans that go beyond offensive and defensive operations. An examination of Hill’s tenure as commander of the Confederate Department of North Carolina from February to July 1863 found that he was uncomfortable translating discretionary orders into action, he was unable to adequately visualize his operational environment, and he did not construct a coherent campaign plan to accomplish disparate missions and support Confederate strategic aims. Some of Hill’s struggles were due to the inability of the Confederate high command to articulate strategic priorities, the actions of the Union forces, and lack of experience in higher level commands. Previous tactical-level experiences in the war made Hill more cautious about committing force when presented with ambiguous situations and in his capacity as department commander he did not grasp his responsibility to provide recommendations to strategic-level decision makers regarding force disposition and types of combat operations.


Book Synopsis Taming The Tar Heel Department: D.H. Hill And The Challenges Of Operational-Level Command During The American Civil War by : Major Brit K. Erslev

Download or read book Taming The Tar Heel Department: D.H. Hill And The Challenges Of Operational-Level Command During The American Civil War written by Major Brit K. Erslev and published by Pickle Partners Publishing. This book was released on 2015-11-06 with total page 86 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The purpose of this monograph is to identify skills and capabilities required by commanders to excel at the operational level of war and in the practice of operational art. The author evaluated the performance of Confederate Major General Daniel Harvey Hill in his role as a department commander during the American Civil War. Department commanders were responsible for sequencing tactical operations to support the accomplishment of their government’s strategic objectives but received little guidance on how to fulfill their missions. The monograph concludes that twenty first century American military officers in similar command positions must be able to make decisions given ambiguous guidance and a fluid operational environment, be creative and active in developing innovative techniques to better understand the operational environment, and be able to craft holistic campaign plans that go beyond offensive and defensive operations. An examination of Hill’s tenure as commander of the Confederate Department of North Carolina from February to July 1863 found that he was uncomfortable translating discretionary orders into action, he was unable to adequately visualize his operational environment, and he did not construct a coherent campaign plan to accomplish disparate missions and support Confederate strategic aims. Some of Hill’s struggles were due to the inability of the Confederate high command to articulate strategic priorities, the actions of the Union forces, and lack of experience in higher level commands. Previous tactical-level experiences in the war made Hill more cautious about committing force when presented with ambiguous situations and in his capacity as department commander he did not grasp his responsibility to provide recommendations to strategic-level decision makers regarding force disposition and types of combat operations.

The Art of Command in the Civil War

The Art of Command in the Civil War

Author: Steven E. Woodworth

Publisher: U of Nebraska Press

Published: 1998-01-01

Total Pages: 216

ISBN-13: 9780803247857

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The military history of the Civil War has tended to focus on such issues as tactics, courage under fire, and which leader was capable of the bold stroke (Lee) and which one wasn?t (McClellan). Overlooked in these important issues is the matter of command itself: mastery of the resources required for successful military action. Inøthis work seven experts examine particular instances of command problems?such as supply, military discipline, and effective relations with subordinate commanders?and show how a general?s handling of the problem illustrates an important feature of Civil War leadership.


Book Synopsis The Art of Command in the Civil War by : Steven E. Woodworth

Download or read book The Art of Command in the Civil War written by Steven E. Woodworth and published by U of Nebraska Press. This book was released on 1998-01-01 with total page 216 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The military history of the Civil War has tended to focus on such issues as tactics, courage under fire, and which leader was capable of the bold stroke (Lee) and which one wasn?t (McClellan). Overlooked in these important issues is the matter of command itself: mastery of the resources required for successful military action. Inøthis work seven experts examine particular instances of command problems?such as supply, military discipline, and effective relations with subordinate commanders?and show how a general?s handling of the problem illustrates an important feature of Civil War leadership.

Civil War Generalship

Civil War Generalship

Author: W. J. Wood

Publisher: Praeger

Published: 1997-04-09

Total Pages: 296

ISBN-13:

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Higher level commanders on both sides were forced to create and develop a personal art of command while actually putting it into practice on campaign and on the battlefield. In so doing - however well or badly managed - the typical commanders under observation developed a pragmatic art that has left a legacy that still provides paradigms for military leaders in the late 20th century.


Book Synopsis Civil War Generalship by : W. J. Wood

Download or read book Civil War Generalship written by W. J. Wood and published by Praeger. This book was released on 1997-04-09 with total page 296 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Higher level commanders on both sides were forced to create and develop a personal art of command while actually putting it into practice on campaign and on the battlefield. In so doing - however well or badly managed - the typical commanders under observation developed a pragmatic art that has left a legacy that still provides paradigms for military leaders in the late 20th century.

Corps Commanders in Blue

Corps Commanders in Blue

Author: Ethan S. Rafuse

Publisher: LSU Press

Published: 2014-11-04

Total Pages: 428

ISBN-13: 080715704X

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The outcomes of campaigns in the Civil War often depended on top generals having the right corps commanders in the right place at the right time. Mutual trust and respect between generals and their corps commanders, though vital to military success, was all too rare: Corps commanders were often forced to exercise considerable discretion in the execution of orders from their generals, and bitter public arguments over commanders' performances in battle followed hard on the heels of many major engagements. Controversies that arose during the war around the decisions of corps and army commanders-such as Daniel Sickles's disregard of George Meade's orders at the Battle of Gettysburg-continue to provoke vigorous debate among students of the Civil War. Corps Commanders in Blue offers eight case studies that illuminate the critical roles the Union corps commanders played in shaping the war's course and outcome. The contributors examine, and in many cases challenge, widespread assumptions about these men while considering the array of internal and external forces that shaped their efforts on and off the battlefield. Providing insight into the military conduct of the Civil War, Corps Commanders in Blue fills a significant gap in the historiography of the war by offering compelling examinations of the challenges of corps command in particular campaigns, the men who exercised that command, and the array of factors that shaped their efforts, for good or for ill.


Book Synopsis Corps Commanders in Blue by : Ethan S. Rafuse

Download or read book Corps Commanders in Blue written by Ethan S. Rafuse and published by LSU Press. This book was released on 2014-11-04 with total page 428 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The outcomes of campaigns in the Civil War often depended on top generals having the right corps commanders in the right place at the right time. Mutual trust and respect between generals and their corps commanders, though vital to military success, was all too rare: Corps commanders were often forced to exercise considerable discretion in the execution of orders from their generals, and bitter public arguments over commanders' performances in battle followed hard on the heels of many major engagements. Controversies that arose during the war around the decisions of corps and army commanders-such as Daniel Sickles's disregard of George Meade's orders at the Battle of Gettysburg-continue to provoke vigorous debate among students of the Civil War. Corps Commanders in Blue offers eight case studies that illuminate the critical roles the Union corps commanders played in shaping the war's course and outcome. The contributors examine, and in many cases challenge, widespread assumptions about these men while considering the array of internal and external forces that shaped their efforts on and off the battlefield. Providing insight into the military conduct of the Civil War, Corps Commanders in Blue fills a significant gap in the historiography of the war by offering compelling examinations of the challenges of corps command in particular campaigns, the men who exercised that command, and the array of factors that shaped their efforts, for good or for ill.

The Warrior Generals

The Warrior Generals

Author: Thomas Buell

Publisher: Crown

Published: 1998-03-31

Total Pages: 529

ISBN-13: 0609801732

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master historian gives readers a fresh new picture of the Civil War as it really was. Buell examines three pairs of commanders from the North and South, who met each other in battle. Following each pair through the entire war, the author reveals the human dimensions of the drama and brings the battles to life. 38 b&w photos.


Book Synopsis The Warrior Generals by : Thomas Buell

Download or read book The Warrior Generals written by Thomas Buell and published by Crown. This book was released on 1998-03-31 with total page 529 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: master historian gives readers a fresh new picture of the Civil War as it really was. Buell examines three pairs of commanders from the North and South, who met each other in battle. Following each pair through the entire war, the author reveals the human dimensions of the drama and brings the battles to life. 38 b&w photos.

The Civil War Experiences of General Quincy Adams Gillmore

The Civil War Experiences of General Quincy Adams Gillmore

Author: Adam J. Lewis

Publisher:

Published: 2011

Total Pages: 59

ISBN-13:

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A leader's transition from the tactical to operational level of command has challenged military commanders throughout history. Some leaders are very successful at making the transition, while others encounter difficulty. Understanding the commonalities and differences in leadership at these two levels of command is helpful toward better preparing our leaders to understand and succeed at both levels. Union Army General Quincy Adams Gillmore provides an excellent case study for comparison of tactical level versus operational level command. Gillmore experienced success in tactical engagements but was challenged when required to lead a military campaign. Gillmore's 1863 campaign against the Confederates defending Charleston provides an interesting case in operational level leadership, especially when analyzed against his education, military background, and tactical command experiences. This monograph explores from General Gillmore's early life through to his command of the campaign against Charleston. First, it examines Gillmore's educational background and provides additional context with a brief overview of his military career. Second, it examines two of Gillmore's most significant tactical experiences at Fort Pulaski and the Battle of Somerset. It assesses Gillmore's tactical performances in each of these experiences by answering the following questions: Did General Gillmore accomplish his directed task and purpose? Did he understand the capabilities and intentions of the enemy in relation to the terrain? How did he operate in light of these factors? Third, the monograph analyzes Gillmore's performance in the Charleston campaign. It assesses his performance by determining whether he accomplished the strategic aim. It also assesses his ability to sustain his forces for the duration of the campaign. Additionally, it analyzes his level of creativity during the Charleston campaign. Did he seek to create additional options for his forces? Finally, the monograph searches for links between Gillmore's tactical and operational level experiences.


Book Synopsis The Civil War Experiences of General Quincy Adams Gillmore by : Adam J. Lewis

Download or read book The Civil War Experiences of General Quincy Adams Gillmore written by Adam J. Lewis and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 59 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A leader's transition from the tactical to operational level of command has challenged military commanders throughout history. Some leaders are very successful at making the transition, while others encounter difficulty. Understanding the commonalities and differences in leadership at these two levels of command is helpful toward better preparing our leaders to understand and succeed at both levels. Union Army General Quincy Adams Gillmore provides an excellent case study for comparison of tactical level versus operational level command. Gillmore experienced success in tactical engagements but was challenged when required to lead a military campaign. Gillmore's 1863 campaign against the Confederates defending Charleston provides an interesting case in operational level leadership, especially when analyzed against his education, military background, and tactical command experiences. This monograph explores from General Gillmore's early life through to his command of the campaign against Charleston. First, it examines Gillmore's educational background and provides additional context with a brief overview of his military career. Second, it examines two of Gillmore's most significant tactical experiences at Fort Pulaski and the Battle of Somerset. It assesses Gillmore's tactical performances in each of these experiences by answering the following questions: Did General Gillmore accomplish his directed task and purpose? Did he understand the capabilities and intentions of the enemy in relation to the terrain? How did he operate in light of these factors? Third, the monograph analyzes Gillmore's performance in the Charleston campaign. It assesses his performance by determining whether he accomplished the strategic aim. It also assesses his ability to sustain his forces for the duration of the campaign. Additionally, it analyzes his level of creativity during the Charleston campaign. Did he seek to create additional options for his forces? Finally, the monograph searches for links between Gillmore's tactical and operational level experiences.

The War Within the Union High Command

The War Within the Union High Command

Author: Thomas Joseph Goss

Publisher: Modern War Studies

Published: 2003

Total Pages: 328

ISBN-13:

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As this book reveals, professional generals viewed the war as a military problem requiring battlefield solutions, while appointees (and President Lincoln) focused more emphatically on the broader political contours of the struggle. The resulting friction often eroded Northern morale and damaged the North's war effort. Goss challenges the traditional idea that success was measured only on the battlefield by demonstrating significant links between military success and the achievement of the Union's political objectives. Examining commanders like Benjamin Butler, Nathaniel Banks, John McClernand, John Fremont, and Franz Sigel, Goss shows how many filled vital functions by raising troops, boosting homefront morale, securing national support for the war--and sometimes even achieving significant success on the battlefield.


Book Synopsis The War Within the Union High Command by : Thomas Joseph Goss

Download or read book The War Within the Union High Command written by Thomas Joseph Goss and published by Modern War Studies. This book was released on 2003 with total page 328 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: As this book reveals, professional generals viewed the war as a military problem requiring battlefield solutions, while appointees (and President Lincoln) focused more emphatically on the broader political contours of the struggle. The resulting friction often eroded Northern morale and damaged the North's war effort. Goss challenges the traditional idea that success was measured only on the battlefield by demonstrating significant links between military success and the achievement of the Union's political objectives. Examining commanders like Benjamin Butler, Nathaniel Banks, John McClernand, John Fremont, and Franz Sigel, Goss shows how many filled vital functions by raising troops, boosting homefront morale, securing national support for the war--and sometimes even achieving significant success on the battlefield.

Strategic-Operational Command and Control in the American Civil War

Strategic-Operational Command and Control in the American Civil War

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 1992

Total Pages: 59

ISBN-13:

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The American Civil War introduced the operational level of war and with its introduction came one of the greatest challenges ever confronted by military commanders--operational command and control. In that regard, the objective of this monograph is to determine by what means high level Civil War commanders, here defined as army or army group equivalent, dealt with that challenge. First, the characteristics of the war that led to its being considered the first conflict to experience operations is described. Second, the command structure and general staff organization of late Civil War Union field armies is addressed. A description of the different means of exercising command and control over those armies form the main body of this study and includes the roles played by staffs, aerial telegraphy and electro-magnetic telegraphic systems. Finally, an example of the ways in which the various command and control means were used is offered through an analysis of the planning and early execution of the Union Army's 1864 spring offensive--Grant's final campaign.


Book Synopsis Strategic-Operational Command and Control in the American Civil War by :

Download or read book Strategic-Operational Command and Control in the American Civil War written by and published by . This book was released on 1992 with total page 59 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The American Civil War introduced the operational level of war and with its introduction came one of the greatest challenges ever confronted by military commanders--operational command and control. In that regard, the objective of this monograph is to determine by what means high level Civil War commanders, here defined as army or army group equivalent, dealt with that challenge. First, the characteristics of the war that led to its being considered the first conflict to experience operations is described. Second, the command structure and general staff organization of late Civil War Union field armies is addressed. A description of the different means of exercising command and control over those armies form the main body of this study and includes the roles played by staffs, aerial telegraphy and electro-magnetic telegraphic systems. Finally, an example of the ways in which the various command and control means were used is offered through an analysis of the planning and early execution of the Union Army's 1864 spring offensive--Grant's final campaign.

Strategic-Operational Command and Control in the Civil War

Strategic-Operational Command and Control in the Civil War

Author: School of School of Advanced Military Studies

Publisher: CreateSpace

Published: 2015-04-30

Total Pages: 54

ISBN-13: 9781511941006

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The American Civil War introduced the operational level of war and with its introduction came one of the greatest challenges ever confronted by military commanders--operational command and control. In that regard, the objective of this monograph is to determine by what means high level Civil War commanders, here defined as army or army group equivalent, dealt with that challenge. First, the characteristics of the war that led to its being considered the first conflict to experience "operations" is described. Second, the command structure and general staff organization of late Civil War Union field armies is addressed. A description of the different means of exercising command and control over those armies form the main body of this study and includes the roles played by staffs, aerial telegraphy and electro-magnetic telegraphic systems. Finally, an example of the ways in which the various command and control means were used is offered through an analysis of the planning and early execution of the Union Army's 1864 spring offensive--Grant's final campaign.


Book Synopsis Strategic-Operational Command and Control in the Civil War by : School of School of Advanced Military Studies

Download or read book Strategic-Operational Command and Control in the Civil War written by School of School of Advanced Military Studies and published by CreateSpace. This book was released on 2015-04-30 with total page 54 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The American Civil War introduced the operational level of war and with its introduction came one of the greatest challenges ever confronted by military commanders--operational command and control. In that regard, the objective of this monograph is to determine by what means high level Civil War commanders, here defined as army or army group equivalent, dealt with that challenge. First, the characteristics of the war that led to its being considered the first conflict to experience "operations" is described. Second, the command structure and general staff organization of late Civil War Union field armies is addressed. A description of the different means of exercising command and control over those armies form the main body of this study and includes the roles played by staffs, aerial telegraphy and electro-magnetic telegraphic systems. Finally, an example of the ways in which the various command and control means were used is offered through an analysis of the planning and early execution of the Union Army's 1864 spring offensive--Grant's final campaign.