Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Stonewall.


This is coolbert:

Once again from a question posted at the Quora Internet web site and with answer as extracted shamelessly in entirety.

"What would Ulysses S. Grant have thought of Stonewall Jackson?"

Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson.

Jackson a famous senior Confederate military commander from the era of the American Civil War. Noted for his leadership and innovative battlefield tactics.

  "Military historians regard Jackson as one of the most gifted tactical commanders in U.S. history. His tactics are studied even today. His death proved a severe setback for the Confederacy, affecting not only its military prospects, but also the morale of its army and the general public."

As to the answer also shamelessly extracted:

"From 'Around the World with General Grant' Grant on Jackson and Sheridan"

“From all I know of Jackson, and all I see of his campaigns, I have little doubt of the result. If Jackson had attempted on Sheridan the tactics he attempted so successfully upon others he would not only have been beaten but destroyed. Sudden, daring raids, under a fine general like Jackson, might do against raw troops and inexperienced commanders, such as we had in the beginning of the war, but not against drilled troops and a commander like Sheridan. The tactics for which Jackson is famous, and which achieved such remarkable results, belonged entirely to the beginning of the war and to the peculiar conditions under which the earlier battles were fought. They would have insured destruction to any commander who tried them upon Sherman, Thomas, Sheridan, Meade, or, in fact, any of our great generals. Consequently Jackson's fame as a general depends upon achievements gained before his generalship was tested, before he had a chance of matching himself with a really great commander. No doubt so able and patient a man as Jackson, who worked so hard at anything he attempted, would have adapted himself to new conditions and risen with them. He died before his opportunity. “  - - U.S. Grant.

There you have it. When Grant speaks we all need to listen.

THAT ASPECT OF WARFARE GREAT COMMANDER VERSUS GREAT COMMANDER AN EXTREME RARITY I MIGHT THINK. FROM THE NINETEENTH CENTURY ALONE THINK WELLINGTON/NAPOLEON AND LEE/GRANT.

coolbert.




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