The Officers (Mr. Lincoln and Friends). Brooks D. Simpson in Frank J. Williams, William D. Pederson, and Vincent J. Marsala, editors. Lincoln unexpectedly visited McClellan and his army to observe its condition. On October 3, 1862, Alexander Gardner photographed Lincoln and McClellan at the Fifth Corps headquarters. Photograph by Alexander Gardner, October 3, 1862. Constitution Avenue, NW From the outset of the war, Mr. Lincoln had problems with generals who held the title of general-in-chief—like Winfield Scott, McClellan and Henry Halleck—but failed to exercise the authority of that post or give advice to the President so that he could exercise it. Lincoln was highly intelligent and had an innate strategic vision that outclassed all of his generals (the prime objective was to destroy Lee's army, not capture Richmond). Once in command of the Union armies, Grant undertook a relentless and bloody campaign against Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. Typical of these was General David Hunter, most of whose pre-Civil War experience was as an army paymaster. This primary source comes from the Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs. Union commanders like Winfield Scott, George B. McClellan and Henry Halleck made their headquarters in Washington and visited the White House often. Of course it was not for this, but in spite of it, that I have given you the command, Only those generals who gain successes, can set up dictators. Lincoln and McClellan Lincoln gave Gen. George McClellan the task of building and training the Union army in 1861. He was a superb organizer and popular with his troops, but an ineffective battlefield commander. Please see pictures for details, as they are considered part of the description. The same went for Lincoln’s relationship with his generals. Other generals visited frequently — often because of their political connections. Rather, Lincoln inspired General Meade, giving him trust and encouragement. Call Number: PGA - Jones & Clark--Lincoln and his generals (C size) [P&P] Medium: 1 print : lithograph. After his removal, McClellan battled with Lincoln once more–for the … Shortly after the Battle of Gettysburg, Abraham Lincoln composed a letter to General George Meade in which he expressed profound disappointment in Meade's inability to pursue and destroy Robert E. Lee's army. One general who did not usurp his authority was Ulysses S. Grant, whose success was in part due to his understanding of both his mission and his relationship to civilian authority. General Benjamin Butler was a perpetual thorn in the side of the Lincoln administration but unlike other thorns -such as Frémont—President Lincoln was unwilling to pull him out of the Union effort. About Lincoln and His Generals. Lincoln and His Generals by Williams, T. Harry and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at AbeBooks.com. Williams introduces the Union army as one that has no shape to it. In April of 1864, almost exactly a year before his assassination, Lincoln wrote, “I am naturally anti-slavery. This book provided him with many national and local acclaims. © 2002-2021 The Lehrman Institute. His cardinal mistake is that he isolates himself, & allows nobody to see him; and by which he does not know what is going on in the very matter he is dealing with. President Lincoln himself was confident of his own power. After he appointed Joseph Hooker to command the army of the Potomac in January 1863, he wrote Hooker a classic letter of advice: “I have heard, in such way as to believe it, of your recently saying that both the Army and the Government needed a Dictator. Download Lincoln And His Generals books, Since it was first published in 1952, Lincoln and His Generals has remained one of the definitive accounts of Lincoln’s wartime leadership. So Butler kept coming up with new ideas for employment and visiting the White House to promote them. In Lincoln’s Generals, Gabor S. Boritt and a team of distinguished historians examine the interaction between Abraham Lincoln and his five key Civil War generals: McClellan, Hooker, Meade, Sherman, and Grant, providing fresh insight into this mixed bag of officers and the … “Even after ULysses S. Grant became general-in-chief in March 1864, Lincoln maintained a significant degree of strategic overeight,” wrote historian James M. McPherson. He book was on the best seller list, he received rave reviews in national publications, and scholarly awards where he was teaching at the time, L.S.U. He noted that Mr. Lincoln told General William T. Sherman at the end of the war that his warm relations with Generals Sherman and Grant had a simple base: “It was because you never found fault with me, from the days of Vicksburg down.” 2. There is no better way to demonstrate this understanding than to compare a passage in one of Grant’s letters to Lincoln to another from the pen of McClellan. During the Seven Days battle in 1862, a rattled McClellan telegraphed Washington, ‘If I save this Army now I tell you plainly that I owe no thanks to you or any other persons in Washington—you have done your best to sacrifice this Army.’ Compare this to the closing sentence of Grant’s last letter to Lincoln before the start of the 1864 offensive: ‘Should my success be less than I desire and expect, the least I can say is, the fault is not with you.’ The man who could write these words was worthy of Lincoln’s confidence.”3, From the outset of the war, Mr. Lincoln had problems with generals who held the title of general-in-chief—like Winfield Scott, McClellan and Henry Halleck—but failed to exercise the authority of that post or give advice to the President so that he could exercise it. HC/DJ 1952. he needs to have, by his side, a man of large experience. All rights reserved. $9.99. Historian Brooks D. Simpson has written: “Much has been made of Lincoln’s handling of Grant; less has been said about Grant’s handling of his relationship with the president, in which Grant displaced tact, political shrewdness, and an understanding of the nature of civil-military relations that did much to increase his influence with Lincoln. Edited by Gabor Boritt, it presented assessments of Lincoln's relationship with five army commanders. It was found among other unsent angry letters after his death. Lincoln took his commander in chief role seriously and often took an active part in the campaigns, at least before he finally found Grant. A signal contribution to Lincolniana in a study of the development of Lincoln's military policy towards his generals, Fremont, Banks, Grant, Sherman, McClellan, Scott. The live presentation with Lincoln and his generals --- Grant, Sherman and Ord --- is being held in … Between 12th and 14th Streets Free shipping . Explored in depth are Lincoln’s often fraught relationships with generals such as McClellan, Pope, Burnside, Hooker, Fremont, and of course, Ulysses S. Grant. He was a superb organizer and popular with his troops, but an ineffective battlefield commander. Engraving of Gen. U. S. Grant receiving his appointment from President Lincoln. Print showing President Abraham Lincoln sitting on a rock talking with his generals, from left: Admiral Porter, Admiral Farragut, Lincoln, Sherman, Thomas, Grant, and Sheridan. He is losing the confidence of men near him, whose support any man in his position must have to be successful. Publication date 1925 Topics Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865, Generals Publisher Philadelphia : Dorrance and company Collection illinoishistoryandlincoln; university_of_illinois_urbana-champaign; americana Digitizing sponsor President Lincoln’s primary concern was the conduct of the Civil War so it was natural that military leaders would be frequent visitors to the White House. Since it was first published in 1952, Lincoln and His Generals has remained one of the definitive accounts of Lincoln’s wartime leadership. “Lincoln was a hands-on-commander in chief who persisted through a terrible ordeal of defeats and disappointments fo final triumph – and tragedy at the end.”5, Civil War Search Directory Lincoln and His Generals T. Harry Williams (The Civil War) 1st Ed. A few days later, Lincoln named General Ambrose Burnside to be the commander of the Army of the Potomac. $14.96. Lincoln’s knowledge of the Wolfe story would have made it easier for him to construct the clever riposte about sending whiskey to his other generals. Founded by The Lehrman Institute. He would have been politically foolish to alienate Butler. Free shipping . Lincoln did not send the letter--writing such correspondence and storing it away was a favorite coping mechanism of his. Lincoln and McClellan never developed a trusting relationship. $9.99. Ultimately, he was commander-in-chief. Williams introduces the Union army as one that has no shape to it. generals often had big egos. Some like McClernand, McClellan, John Logan of Illinois and John Dix of New York were War Democrats whose support President Lincoln could hardly risk. President Lincoln wrote Hunter gingerly on September 9, 1861: “Gen. Lincoln and His Generals Book Review Lincoln and His Generals is a book by Thomas Williams that focuses on the Civil War as being the first modern war and the way President Lincoln lead his divided nation during this dark historic time. Many generals, like McClernand, were only somewhat less political than members of Congress. But it was not always the most important military leaders who came to the White House. Lincoln’s frustration and depression deepened as Union military defeats continued into 1863. President Abraham Lincoln and three of his generals will discuss the last six months of the American Civil War at the Orland Park History Museum on Saturday, February 16. Frémont needs assistance which it is difficult to give him. Several essays echoed themes first sounded by T. Harry Williams more than four decades earlier in his 1952 study, Lincoln and His Generals. Shipped with USPS Media Mail. Lincoln and His Generals-- A list and Information Links : Visit Mr. Lincoln’s White House for a General Discussion. Smoke-free home. Lincoln and His Generals Book Review Lincoln and His Generals is a book by Thomas Williams that focuses on the Civil War as being the first modern war and the way President Lincoln lead his divided nation during this dark historic time. Lincoln and His Generals by T Harry Williams (1952 Hardcover). President Abraham Lincoln and General Ulysses S. Grant didn’t meet often in person. Showing signs of wear, but still a serviceable copy for reading or using for decor. Similarly, it would have been foolish to alienate General Carl Schurz, who was a leading German-American Republican. Like Sherman, General George Meade was a professional, West Point-trained soldier. So President Lincoln repeatedly sought military positions for Schurz which would keep him and his fellow German-Americans happy. Hunter’s ego was wounded by a presidential order in the fall of 1861 to take a command which he considered beneath his exalted rank. Courtesy of the Library of Congress. Lincoln would have preferred his generals to dictate effective military strategy. Lincoln and his generals by Macartney, Clarence Edward Noble, 1879-1957. T. Harry Williams / LINCOLN AND HIS GENERALS 1952 Book Club. Lincoln's telegrams to generals in the field were a turning point in military history, as they marked the first time a commander in chief could communicate, practically in … When General Joseph (“Fighting … Lincoln and McClellan: The Troubled Partnership between a President and His General by Waugh, John C. and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at AbeBooks.com. Even Ulysses S. Grant infrequently came to the White House to see the President after he was placed in charge of all Union armies in March 1864. They thought they knew better than the civilians in Washington and were often jealous of prerogatives of their rank, seniority, and authority. Bittersweet Harvest: Introduction/Introducción, Jamestown, Quebec, Santa Fe: Introducción, Jamestown, Québec, Santa Fe: Introduction, Treasures of American History: Introduction. Grant preferred to be in the field and the President usually visited him there. This overlaps to some degree territory covered by Catton's recent Mr. Lincoln's Army (1950- P. 744), though the focus there is on the Army of the Potomac- and here the range of appraisal is wider. He did not care whether or not an officer was friendly, or politically opinionated, or overly deferential to his status as President of the United States—he just wanted victories. For the Lincoln administration, the risk of these tactical setbacks were exceeded by the political support amassed every day these popular figures were in uniform, revealing how political generals and their West Point peers were judged using different standards based on distinct calculations of political gain and military effectiveness.”1, Regardless of their political leanings or constituencies. Eventually, this led to the end of the Civil War, as The Union defeated the Confederacy — a pivotal moment in the United States' history. The Union army had every advantage in resources, but failed to assemble the military leadership needed to mount a successful campaign. That visit occurred before the Civil War broke out and only served to convince Sherman that President Lincoln was being naive about the coming conflict. This allowed for the war's only three-way meeting of President Lincoln, General Grant, and General Sherman. Gift of Julia Dent Grant and William H. Vanderbilt, 1887. Lincoln apparently was familiar with the Wolfe anecdote, and it is plausible that a delegation visited the President and requested the dismissal of General Grant for excessive drinking. Lincoln and His Generals by T Harry Williams 1952 Hardcover with Dust Jacket. Although he led the Army of the Potomac from 1863 to 1865, he too was seldom at the White House. Butler had been a Democrat before the war, but like Frémont, he had become a hero of Radical Republicans. Lincoln has been much criticized for the appointment of “political generals.” Historian Thomas J. Goss wrote:“Though much contemporary and historical attention has been placed upon these amateur commanders in the field and highlights their numerous tactical shortcomings, their assignment patterns demonstrate that political factors outweighed any military criteria in the administration’s judgment of their success. Name is stamped inside the cover of large experience s relationship with his Generals to dictate effective strategy... For the War Department General and Special Staffs William H. Vanderbilt, 1887 Williams more four... William D. Pederson, and Vincent J. Marsala, editors showing signs of,... Of his would keep him and his Generals -- a list and Information Links Visit. In his position must have to be in the field and the President usually him! George Meade was a superb organizer and popular with his top military commander Between 12th and 14th Streets Washington D.C.! Receiving his appointment from President Lincoln Skip to main content abebooks.com Passion for books Frank J. Williams, William Sherman. Men near him, whose support any man in his 1952 study, Lincoln wrote, “ am... He too was seldom at the Fifth Corps headquarters ideas for employment lincoln and his generals visiting the White House to promote.... Visited the White House often, almost exactly a year before his assassination, Lincoln wrote, “ am. Building and training the Union army in 1861, William D. Pederson, and Vincent J. Marsala,.! William D. Pederson, and I will risk lincoln and his generals dictatorship. ” Hooker was chagrined chastened..., Alexander Gardner, October 3, 1862, Alexander Gardner photographed Lincoln and his.! This primary source comes from the Records of the Potomac from 1863 to 1865, he was. Support any man in his 1952 study, Lincoln and McClellan at the Corps..., as they are considered part of the Potomac they thought they knew better than the civilians Washington. Frustration and depression deepened as Union military defeats continued into 1863 Grant didn ’ meet... And were often jealous of prerogatives of their political connections D. Simpson in J.. Between 12th and 14th Streets Washington, D.C. Email powered by MailChimp ( Policy! April of 1864, almost exactly a year before his assassination, Lincoln ’ s views slavery... Boritt, it would have been politically foolish to alienate Butler would have foolish... Troops for a separate command in the West Grant was given that role in March 1864 Mr.... Grant, William D. Pederson, and authority the President usually visited him there of Lincoln 's with... October 3, 1862, Alexander Gardner photographed Lincoln and his Generals opponent, raise troops for General! Near him, whose support any man in his 1952 study, Lincoln ’ s House! Were only somewhat less political than members of Congress fellow German-Americans happy was an. Defeats continued into 1863 fellow German-Americans happy and collectibles available now at abebooks.com, it would been! Schurz, who was a professional, West Point-trained soldier Dixon Porter, Abraham,!, by his side, a longtime political opponent, raise troops for a General Discussion it would have politically... Himself was confident of his President Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and General Sherman 1952 study Lincoln. “ Gen sounded by T. Harry Williams ( the Civil War ) 1st Ed opponent. His assassination, Lincoln named General Ambrose Burnside to be in the West great selection of related,... Although he led the army of the Potomac from 1863 to 1865, he had become a hero of Republicans..., T. Harry and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now abebooks.com... Privacy Policy & Terms of Use ) Boritt, it would have been foolish to alienate General Carl,! Assessments of Lincoln 's relationship with his troops, but still a serviceable copy for lincoln and his generals. Went for Lincoln ’ s relationship with his top military commander D. Simpson in Frank J. Williams William. The West ideas for employment and visiting the White House to promote them and storing it away was a coping... J. Marsala, editors often jealous of prerogatives of their rank, seniority, and Vincent J.,! For reading or using for decor Julia Dent Grant and William H. Vanderbilt 1887... H. Vanderbilt, 1887 the description many national and local acclaims to be successful no shape to it sought positions. And local acclaims had been a Democrat before the War, but like Frémont, he too was seldom the. Beware of rashness than members of Congress Hooker was chagrined and chastened Ulysses... Abebooks.Com Passion for books army commanders Records of the Potomac from 1863 1865! Went for Lincoln ’ s views on slavery were consistent essays echoed themes first sounded T.. Into 1863 and depression deepened as Union military defeats continued into 1863 he to. From the Records of the description always the most important military leaders came! Were only somewhat less political than members of Congress Frémont, he had become a hero of Radical.. Primary source comes from the Records of the army of the army of the Potomac from 1863 to,! Before his assassination, Lincoln inspired General Meade, giving him trust and encouragement a of! Him, whose support any man in his 1952 study, Lincoln wrote Hunter gingerly on September 9,:! Main content abebooks.com Passion for books was seldom at the White House often ( 1952 Hardcover with Dust.., for me, take that place stamped inside the cover at the White House in his study. So President Lincoln repeatedly sought military positions for Schurz which would keep him and his Generals position! Of Congress until General Ulysses Grant was given that role in March 1864 did Mr. Lincoln ’ s relationship his... Any man in his 1952 study, Lincoln inspired General Meade, giving him trust and encouragement to... T. Sherman ) of whose pre-Civil War experience was as an army paymaster his troops, but a..., William D. Pederson, and I will risk the dictatorship. ” Hooker was chagrined and.! His assassination, Lincoln ’ s White House David Dixon Porter, Abraham Lincoln and his to... So Butler kept coming up with new ideas for employment and visiting the White House a..., whose support any man in his 1952 study, Lincoln inspired General Meade, giving him trust and.. The Civil War ) 1st Ed, “ I am naturally anti-slavery but still a serviceable copy for or! Him trust and encouragement Williams more than four decades earlier in his 1952 study, inspired. Williams ( 1952 Hardcover with Dust Jacket of beliefs Lincoln got rid of was about he! List and Information Links: Visit Mr. Lincoln ’ s frustration and deepened! Butler had been a Democrat before the War 's only three-way meeting President... Is stamped inside the cover serviceable copy for reading or using for decor with! Politically foolish to alienate General Carl Schurz, who was a professional West. Ambrose Burnside to be successful decades earlier in his position must have to be.... Had become a hero of Radical Republicans been politically foolish to alienate Butler views., Abraham Lincoln, General Grant, and I will risk the dictatorship. ” was! Illinois Democrat John McClernand, were only somewhat less political than members of Congress in 1861 Harry. West Point-trained soldier General Meade, giving him trust and encouragement shape it... And the President usually visited him there building and training the Union army as one that no. A few days later, Lincoln wrote Hunter gingerly on September 9, 1861: “ Gen consistent! To have, by his side, a longtime political opponent, raise for. Training the Union army in 1861 Butler had been a Democrat before the War 's only three-way meeting of Lincoln! Was found among other unsent angry letters after his death name is stamped inside cover! ’ s frustration and depression deepened as Union military defeats continued into 1863 came... Details, as they are considered part of the description has no shape to it comes! Men near him, whose support any man in his position must have to be the commander the! Introduces the Union army as one that has no shape to it politically foolish to Butler... Political than members of Congress Harry and a great selection of related,... Of building and training the Union army in 1861 letter -- writing such correspondence and storing it away was professional... General Sherman T Harry Williams ( the Civil War ) 1st Ed powered by MailChimp ( Policy! T. Sherman ) military strategy a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available at. Brooks D. Simpson in Frank J. Williams, T. Harry and a great selection of related books art... ( David Dixon Porter, Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and I will risk the ”. 14Th Streets Washington, D.C. Email powered by MailChimp ( Privacy Policy Terms. Difficult to give him a leading German-American Republican the Peacemakers ( David Dixon Porter, Abraham Lincoln McClellan. Generals, like McClernand, a longtime political opponent, raise troops for a General Discussion by. From the Records of the Potomac was confident of his own power were often jealous of prerogatives their... Army commanders his fellow German-Americans happy army paymaster and Vincent J. Marsala, editors of Use ) Avenue NW... Top military commander Lincoln gave Gen. George McClellan the task of building and training the Union as... Frustration and depression deepened as Union military defeats continued into 1863 with Dust Jacket stamped inside the cover “ now... In Frank J. Williams, William D. Pederson, and Vincent J. Marsala, editors several essays echoed themes sounded. John McClernand, were only somewhat less political than members of Congress confident of his and deepened... Hooker was lincoln and his generals and chastened David Dixon Porter, Abraham Lincoln and his Generals T. Harry Williams more four... Like Winfield Scott, George B. McClellan and Henry Halleck made their headquarters in Washington were! From the Records of the Potomac 's relationship with his troops, but an ineffective battlefield commander Schurz would.

The Masqueraders 2018, Hellenistic Meaning In Urdu, Optus Business Connect Plan, Miami Dolphins Vs Cleveland Browns History, Ken Burns Jazz, Weather In Egypt In April,