re: 155 years ago today: Ulysses S. Grant secured Chattanooga

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Sayre

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Buddy, HISTORY says it. The vast majority of the time it’s true. The brilliance was in the logistics of supporting his men, which Grant undoubtedly had a hand in.

But don’t get high and mighty on me like you know otherwise. History is written by the victors and yet Grant is still not thought of as exceptional. That should tell you all you need to know.

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I agree with your post, however the point still stands that Grant never displayed real tactical brilliance. Of course he didn’t need to, as you said. But just because he won with logistics and strategy does not mean he could have also won with tactics if required.

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I do think trying to display tactical brilliance might have derailed certain victory.

The analogy I would use would be a football team that can run the ball at will. You can criticize them for not displaying a passing game, but if running off tackle up and down the field is something the opponent can't stop...you only hurt yourself by trying fancy stuff.

I raise McClellan because he tried to play a tactical game. Grant took tactics from Lee by pressure and resources. Lee could have won tactical battles and extended the war. Grant took a sledgehammer apprach, but that was a strategy Lee could not match.

If you can overwhelm someone, overwhelm them. Don't play their game. That's the big lesson Grant teaches. Between his pressure in Virginia and turning Sherman loose to the sea, Grant saw a route to certain victory through blunt force and took it.