Potomac Rriver

Robert E. Lee must mention the idealistic character of American history, the brightest spot in the sun, but it was a Johnny Reb and lives in the shadow of this great nation. He was one of their biggest stars, but despite this he remains an idol for many, is still seen as a dark star, an enemy, an enemy of the state, is difficult because it was in many ways, the nature of the old America, the first of losing everything and flew out of the sacred precinct. He was the son of arevolutionary hero "Light Horse Harry Lee attended West Point where he graduated with honors, the second in his class and was appointed lieutenant of engineers.

His father was governor of Virginia, is a descendant of Thomas Jefferson, George Washington was a familiar conversation partner - Lee was as American as you can get, copyrights, Virginia, its future is in America. It 'was an exceptional soldier and served in the war with Mexico, three times for bravery Porterand contributed to many wins U.S. approval for its ability to identify paths that others had seen as insurmountable. It 'was superintendent of West Point in 1852 and in 1855 was a Lieutenant Colonel of the Second United States Cavalry newborn, but after the death of his father-in-law, was forced to leave the farm to try to resolve names . He did not take it, is difficult to manage and control the slaves of the plantations. Indeed, someHistorians write that Lee was not very comfortable with the concept of slavery and was happiest when he is sick with another directly from him.

In many ways, unlike Lee was typical stereotypes of plantation owners in the south, do not smoke or drink, never swore, faithful to his wife and prayed diligently. He also was not very happy with the idea of secession, and that as nothing less than a revolution, and betrayal of the founding fathers. However, when he called taxesNo doubt, but it may go against their beliefs. In 1859 he was sent to Harpers Ferry, Virginia, John Smith in the crowd to rebellion and civil war, took command of all troops from Virginia. He has had more starts, he was defeated at the Battle of Cheat Mountain and received the nickname of Grandma Lee's achievement.

It 'was on the coast of South Carolina, where he was responsible for organizing the coast has been postponed once againnot to complete the operation successfully, as has been hampered by ineffective Confederate Navy. It 'was called to Richmond, always something of an office jockey, became the military adviser to Confederate President Jefferson Davis. It seems that the glory of the field-Lee would lose, but would be given another chance. With the wounds of General Johnston, was appointed commander of the Army of Northern Virginia. The Union army under the command of McClellan wereNightlife Richmond Lee had promised that no accomplice in the capital. Lee is back, defeated McClellan in the first place, what was the principle known as the battles of seven days. Lee suffered severe losses, but remained firm in his determination and managed to repel the Union forces, the typical appearance of the first WAS Lee, what would happen. Then he went in search of McClellan's successor, Pope, and defeated him in the second battle of Bull Run.

In September 1862forty thousand men to the Potomac River, Maryland, reconvened at Antietam McClellan's army, was the bloodiest day of war. The Confederates withstood the onslaught of numerically superior forces of the Federal Republic, and were able to return to Virginia. In December, Lee will meet Burnside to McClellan's successor, rejected the Battle of Fredericksburg, Union troops attack the city, but the men of Lee for them. At the end ofSpring 1863, the defeat of the Union army at Chancellorsville Lee Hooker, which many consider the best time of their cases because of the tactics used in the game against an aggressive force superior in number.

However, it has lost its most general Stonewall Jackson was mortally wounded, compared to Lee, it was like losing his right arm. Encouraged by this victory, Lee returned to the north, met the Union army of General Meade at the Battle of Gettysburg. But Leewas defeated in the bloodiest battle of the war marked a turning point, the South has never been a good bet at Gettysburg. Lee was to blame and it was and offered his resignation was rejected. Gettysburg marked the culmination of Lee's Confederates. The new commander of the Union, Ulysses S. Grant has pinned the Confederate troops fought against Richmond, Lee's hard to keep control of the grant, but all the time was pushed further and further south. Finally, it was forcedin a seat of Richmond and St. Petersburg, heroic he held for ten months, but the writing on the wall, had beaten and Swiss.

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Today, with books written and movies are made, or mini-series, the hero of the civil war is most likely Robert E. Lee. Lincoln often plays in a praise, and the romantic figures of Stonewall Jackson and Jeb Stewart are clearly visible. Everyone knows that Ulysses S. Grant Lee treed and beat him. But Grant is almost never praised, never made movies or TV series about him, and rarely talked about the highest in the notes. In fact, most northerners Robert E. Lee know prettygood to know, but not even Grant. The reasons why this is so would fill a book, and take careful and complex research. I'm not going there. I want to tell you, but that it is not always so. After the Civil War, General Grant spell of fame in the world. The crowds flocked to cheer him and that has been exceeded in Europe, probably in honor never before, certainly from a military man, and he was the undisputed hero in our country. Grant was so popular that he easily won thePresidency twice, even if completely unqualified, unsuitable and not thrilled about it. His book, which he has done with great difficulty shortly before dying of throat cancer from the chain smoking cigars, an instant bestseller. For the modern American who has heard little of Grant, this seems surprising, but it would not, if the facts were known. I want to spend a little time on these facts by comparing the career and achievements of the two great generals

GrantLee

Both Lee and Grant at the United States Military Academy at West Point on the Hudson. Lee graduated with honors in 1829 and went to the engineering corps. Grant completed fourteen years later and was assigned to the infantry. Grant's West Point career was ordinary at best, in contrast to Lee's high standards. He stood in horsemanship, but nothing else. His talent for mathematics from the curriculum easy for him, but in his free time, he did not eventhe interaction, the choice to go more to the library and read. From the outset, Grant was a quiet thinker, but one of his mentors missed this very important point almost entirely. Lee took the military life like a duck to water, but his experiences at the Academy Grant left largely unchanged.

The Gathering Storm

Even as the storm clouds gathered, transported Lincoln Lee, the rank of colonel in the regular army, and Lee, at this late stage, took an oath to protect and defend the Constitutionthe United States. At the initiative of General Scott, Lincoln seemed ready to appoint Lee as commanding general of the National forces. Lee knew this step, and he was very popular that high honor and position, however. He knew that it would soon mean a rupture between him and his mother and father. Lee as a spin-off does not justify illegal, too, unbiblical and regrettable act of revolution. In his teachings at West Point, and his conversations with other officers, he openly andSlavery is often condemned as morally reprehensible and economically unhealthy in the long run. Nevertheless, he chose not to his knowledge oath to the Union as a commitment to participate in the military defeat of the secessionist states. This is partly made him a Southern Sympathizer even while holding office in the Union. Still, Lee agonized over the controversy raging within him. Lee went on from his office in Arlington, and thought his future. The dilemma was solved for himdrops out at his home state of Virginia. Lee resigned with great regret personally and patriotic, and went to Virginia to unite the rebel cause. His initial duty assignment called for the recruitment, organization and training of militias.

The warrior-born

Grant has a commission as commander of the 21st Illinois Volunteer Infantry at the rank of colonel. It was not long before he was at the request of its governor, Brigadier-General. Grantpenetrated, and because of the far-reaching insight into the war that led to his early success. He saw the military potential of water transportation and the importance of the great ship-mounted guns, not with the territory as a means of breaking the blockade of the Cumberland, Tennessee, Mississippi and the rivers.

These rivers provide easy access for an invasion of the South. He proved his theory by the reduction of Fort Henry and Fort Donnellson, in February1862nd Confederate concern about the Union is now in a position with heavy, boat-mounted batteries strike caused the evacuation of Nashville, Tennessee, and rail center of the bastion of defense. Federal progress toward Tennessee, Pittsburgh Landing pushed the Confederates out of Columbus, the main line of defense on the Mississippi.

Grant's ability Recognized by Lincoln

These successes have led to Grant's promotion to major general by the appreciativePresident Lincoln. When General Buckner said, was what Grant's terms at Donnellson, Grant replied: "My terms are immediate and unconditional surrender." That the name of "Unconditional Surrender Grant led", the later U.S. Grant and Sam Grant. Thus, the bad boy of West Point achieved the status of commander three months before the famous Robert E. Lee, who graduated form West Point many years ago.

Professional envy loses almost all of the war

At this point,in Grant's career, and after U.S. Grant became a household word, decided to Halleck, Grant's superior, that the events needed in the area of his close supervision. Out of envy, he put Grant into meaningless tasks away from the public and even tried to put him court-martialed for insubordination, because Grant was not the explicit permission of Halleck, before the capture of Fort Henry. McClellan also hated Grant supports the efforts and it seemed destined for success. Grant had a few friends in theprofessional military. He was an affront to all of them because of his success outside of official channels. But Lincoln discovers their game and put and end.

Lee Promoted by Default

In June 1862 McClellan had put his massive army on the ground at Fort Monroe, Virginia, and pushed up the peninsula, the use of the gates of Richmond. On the first day of the forces in June McClellan was in operation, and heard the bell towers of Richmond. At this critical momentDavis was tired of Johnston and Beauregard, and not for Prince John Magruder adequate to the task of defending Richmond, said Lee was appointed as commander of the Army of Northern Virginia. It resulted, for whatever reason and there were many curious onlookers in the destruction of the right-McClellan and the pressure of his monstrous army back against the waters of the James estuary.

The inability of Halleck and McClellan

Although Halleck was the thing that Grantstarted and had succeeded in Corinth, he was not up to the task of commander in the West and faltered badly. He detached himself aware of its strong position in Corinth try to repeat Grant's brave achievements. This will jeopardize his position and his powers. At the same time, Lee was completely neutralized in the north of the timid McClellan.

Braxton Bragg at Corinth succeeded Beauregard in command of the Confederate Army in the West. Not by the incompetent Halleck put under pressureBragg, reinforced and equipped with depleted the units that Grant had destroyed them all, but at Shiloh, and sent to Chattanooga. His plan is essentially the power away from the core in favor of Nashville Tennessee and central Kentucky. It was a strange arrangement, but considering what he inherits. As they were from central Mississippi to East Tennessee, General Kirby Smith, an army in the upper Tennessee Valley leaned over the enforcement of the Cumberland Gap and occupation of the BluegrassRegion of Kentucky. At the same time, General Sterling Price and Earl Van Dorn collected distribute forces from both sides of the lower Mississippi River for an attack on Corinth to Halleck to. But it was not they would be against Halleck. Halleck, remote sensing, and you no longer see the deterioration in their glory gone for himself and let Grant be filled with a relatively small contingent of troops.

Halleck continued ignorance of the war from the field of battle display. Good Administratoras he was, he did not belong in the field. He failed repeatedly correct him about the intelligence of enemy troop movements. Halleck offered modestly interpreted delivered praise for the conduct of the West, but in reality it was the success that Grant was able to achieve despite Halleck. Lincoln saw two things. Halleck was important for the war as a theoretician and administrator, but useless as a general. He called Halleck to Washington and appointed himGeneral in Chief of the Army to meet the post vacated by the retired Winfield Scott.

Pope and Burnside, Lincoln's two other events depressing

Halleck, under the direction of the president, McClellan ordered from the James and escape back to his native soil. At this point, McClellan was divided army and a new command, established under the title of the Army of Virginia was given and General John Pope. Pope to Gordonsville with Richmond, the hoped for advance end --Target. Pope's failure brought together with damaging information about McClellan by Colonel Sharp, on Burnside, which made no better proof.

Lee, the triumph of the Great Victory and the humility of the crushing defeat

With the advent of the Hooker had, it looks to Chancellorsville. Lee took the initiative to the phenomenon of Hooker's withdrawal and fell in Maryland. His hopes of success have been denied and that this error written to the beginning of the destruction of theArmy of Northern Virginia, through no fault of the Union, but by Lee's own miscalculations. The Confederates were defeated at Gettysburg and Vicksburg fell the following day.

Grant, Vicksburg, and a winning strategy

With the decline in Vicksburg, a comprehensive strategy for the defeat of the entire armed forces in the south took place in Grant's mind. The control of the Mississippi River from Cairo to the Gulf of Mexico was the first step. This was mainlyperformed. The second and most important part of Grant's theory was that no area should be given preference. The meaning must be determined in light of the importance of each campaign. This in turn was directly related to strategically important locations and functions. He felt that after the opening of the Mississippi, was the order of importance to isolate all areas east of an imaginary line through Chattanooga, Atlanta, Montgomery and Mobile. This could be done by ahuge push up through the soft underbelly of the south from the Gulf region. Once this was done, Grant of water transportation support that Forrest did not cut off, and with the protection and re-supply, which are available from New Orleans and would be protected by the U.S. Navy would be his veterans of the Army of Tennessee and it leads to the Alabama River to Montgomery. Rosecrans would continue by land to the north Georgia and then to Atlanta.

Lincoln had no militaryVisionary

But Lincoln vetoed the plan. He had problems, such as in Mexico think of Napoleon III, and he was concerned about expansion of the forces in reserve for critical flicker. He insisted on a demonstration in Texas, to the obvious ambition of deterrence Napoleon III in that direction. He acknowledged the grant, in a personal remark that the Mobile plan looked very tempting.

Grant to the Rescue Again

However, he can continue on Rosecrans, by landthrough Tennessee and northern Georgia, where possible. Rosecrans fell upon his military fanny in Chattanooga and was General George H. Thomas, a determined man, the army, not only out of embarrassment, but also completely rescued from destruction in the first battle of Chickamauga had been replaced. But Thomas, once commanded the Union suffered disease was tentativeness and hesitation and starved to death, along with his men and horses, in Chattanooga. Grant had to go in too, with Sherman comingfrom the Vicksburg area to the west in order to save the army to push and Bragg in a large and difficult to defeat. Bragg fought firmly at the top of the hill and Grant up and entrenched in the open. It was so impossible that Joe Johnston was called in to replace Bragg by angry, frustrated and disappointed, Davis. It also has a more crowded pen now Grant's hat.

Grant, the thinker and the man with the vision to not let pass without comment on the possibilities (and that LincolnHalleck were ignored) presented by the control of the Mississippi River and the open gate in Chattanooga. He suggested that was a continuation of the Mobile campaign, until the rains passed and the long, unpaved streets had a chance to dry. Grant knows how many battles did the Union on roads where the people could not walk and could lose his car and guns will only be moved, inch at a time. He proposed to proceed only on shipments transported by rail, they concentrated in Chattanooga and that a major campaign tothoroughly planned for the autumn.

Lincoln finally makes the move that wins the Civil War

Unbeknownst to Grant, Halleck, Lincoln had fought for the collection of Grant in Washington for some time. The defeat of Bragg and Chickamauga and the soundness of his proposed plan was the trigger. Lincoln could not wait any longer. Grant was in Washington to welcome a hero brought enormous that neither he nor could foresee Lincoln. Halleck and the old boy networksin the military can deny what he deserves Grant, but nothing could have succeeded him Keep out of the hearts of the people of the north. It was a people that had seen a fiasco after the other in the Army of the Potomac, while Grant had won five p.m. campaigns without a loss. When he made his banishment by Halleck in the swamps of the Mississippi and Tennessee, the people thronged him as a conquering hero.

Whether by trial and error, the chances for Lincolnto make the right decision or whether it was a case of the President that she finally learned there was a genius stroke. When Grant took over on 14 March 1864, he had won 17 campaigns, taken 100,000 prisoners and over 500 heavy artillery pieces captured. Compared to its successes, the Union has no other general.

You Can not Fool the troops in the field

"Grant is the only man who can whip the rebs every time, and he can do it any time that he tried," saidPrivate John Brobst of the 25th Wisconsin, the girl was married. "We would not give our General Grant for all the generals who are in the northern army." If history is to be taken for anything that Brobst was right. All of them turned back numerous times before success came Vicksburg, and less than sparkling performance at Shiloh, Grant had never lost a battle.

Lincoln Fears Grant's Popularity

Lincoln, who was heavily pushed along Grant under, second, when he saw the hero worship in the community and in Congress. It had never occurred to him, but now it's popularity. Grant was amazing, and although Grant was easy to install and never tried flattery, it was clear to Lincoln that Grant like the praise and glory. Had he had another McClellan? Grant, it was not, and signed a paper that he did not Lincoln for the presidential election. Lincoln was satisfied, and brought on Grant. Lincoln's much-desiredGeneral. From that day on the war changed dramatically for the Army of the Potomac and for the whole Union war effort.

An Imperfect but steady path to victory

There was stalemate in the desert and at Spotsylvania And. Because of his only loss in court, it was a cruel defeat at Cold Harbor. Nevertheless, Grant was subjected gradually to the great Confederate general, and people knew it. At War's end, they knew to whom the credit for the victorybelonged. So everyone in England, France, Germany, Russia and the rest of the world. That is the reason why Grant knew popularity and praise from more than MacArthur, Eisenhower, or Napoleon. It is regrettable that the great efforts of reconciliation to the south and the paleness of the little man Grant (5'6'', 110 lbs, soft, silky hair, a beard and boring), very private, the once splendid show of one of the dimmed the greatest generals in historyWars.

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