View single post by ole
 Posted: Sat Jul 19th, 2008 06:41 pm
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ole
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 Our hindsight leads to speculation. Davis had a small (really small) circle of friends who tended to get the appointments. Lincoln didn't know anybody and gave generalships liberally to people who could bring troups with them. Lincoln learned. Davis didn't.

There was a handful of minor generals in the Western Theater capable of leading an army. None of them got looked at. Cleburne was one of them. Taylor was another. Maybe (just maybe) Forrest was another.

Lincoln finally figured out that he could pick and choose from generals who generally (pun intended) won more often than not. Davis didn't. Gotta be in the club. Lincoln didn't have a club.

ole