Statesmen And Soldiers Of The Civil War; A Study Of The Conduct Of War

By Major-General Sir Frederick Maurice

Major-General Maurice, although a British officer, was fascinated by the American Civil War, and wrote a number of important works on the conflict; even editing and publishing for the first time, the famous memoirs of General Robert E. Lee’s aide de camp Colonel Marshall.

In this volume he analyses the relationship between the statesmen and their generals; in both the Confederacy and the Union there was much friction between the generals in the field and their political masters. The author takes two relationships, one successful and the other disastrous, from both sides of the firing line to scrutinize. On the Confederate side the frictions and breaches of Jefferson Davis and General J. E. Johnston are contrasted with the former’s affinity and dependence on General Robert E. Lee. In the Union ranks the frustrations and goading of Lincoln and General McClellan are balanced by the support and trust of the President’s dealings with General U.S. Grant.

In closing his work General Maurice also touches on his opinions for the conduct of successful relations between politicians and the military and illustrates them with examples from the more recent First World War.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Golden Springs Publishing
• Release date: Nov 6, 2015
• ISBN: 9781786251244

Major-General Sir Frederick Maurice

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Text originally published in 2000 under the same title.

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Publisher’s Note

Although in most cases we have retained the Author’s original spelling and grammar to authentically reproduce the work of the Author and the original intent of such material, some additional notes and clarifications have been added for the modern reader’s benefit.

We have also made every effort to include all maps and illustrations of the original edition the limitations of formatting do not allow of including larger maps, we will upload as many of these maps as possible.

STATESMEN AND SOLDIERS OF THE CIVIL WAR

A STUDY OF THE CONDUCT OF WAR

By

MAJOR GENERAL SIR FREDERICK MAURICE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS 4

PREFACE 5

CONTENTS 7

ILLUSTRATIONS 8

I — JEFFERSON DAVIS AND J. E. JOHNSTON 9

Policy and strategy; Lord Salisbury on the British Constitution; autocratic and democratic government in war; similarity of the problems of the American Civil War and the Great War, Davis the target of criticism; his early life; functions of the President in war; the provision of arms and money for the Confederacy; measures for raising troops; Davis’s weaknesses; addiction to detail; failure to grasp the principles of direction in war; Davis at Bull Run; mistaken policy after Bull Run; Davis’s quarrel with J. E. Johnston; brings Lee to Richmond. 9

II — JEFFERSON DAVIS AND LEE 20

Davis’s aversion to retreat; a cause of his quarrel with Johnston; Johnston’s lack of confidence in President another cause; how much of his plans should the soldier tell the statesman?; Davis’s visits to the army; Lee’s handling of Davis; the effect of Lee’s appointment as military adviser; Davis, Lee, and the first invasion of Maryland; the Fredericksburg campaign; political interference in strategy when justified; the supply difficulties of the Confederacy and their consequences; Davis conscious of defects en the system of conducting war; Davis’s problems; Lee fails to help him solve them; Lee had a war policy, Davis had none; Davis fails to support Lee’s second invasion of Maryland; the consequences of a lack of system in the conduct of war. 20

III — ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND McCLELLAN 31

Lincoln and unity in the North; Lincoln and the border states; his measures for raising troops; McClellan’s appointment and career; his head turned; political intrigues; Lincoln’s war orders; his description of them to Grant; McClellan fails to advise Lincoln; his bad relations with the President a cause of his ill-success; McClellan and the defense of Washington; the withdrawal of McDowell’s corps; Lincoln’s mistakes of organization; their cause and consequences.: quickly rectified; McClellan reappointed; the Antietam; McClellan’s delays; is superseded by Burnside; his failure due to ignorance of how to deal with the President. 31

IV — ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND GRANT 43

The influence of public opinion in war; Lincoln stands between Grant and public criticism; Grant’s first interview with Lincoln; the organization of command; personal relations of Lincoln and Grant; Lincoln’s observation of Grant; his support of Grant; Early’s raid; I have seen your dispatch; Lincoln and Sheridan’s Valley campaign; Grant and Sheridan; political situation in the summer of 1864, Lincoln rejects political expediency for a sound military policy; has reward; continues to watch Grant; his formula for the relations between soldiers and statesmen; on the exercise of dictatorial powers in a democracy; Let us therefore study the incidents of this; instruction for Grant’s negotiations with Lee. 43

V — A SYSTEM FOR THE CONDUCT OF WAR 54

(a) THE NEED FOR A SYSTEM 54

The man no longer sufficient in war; British preparation for the Great War; its lack of system; a partnership required; the conduct of war cannot be left to soldiers; need for study of the question; the difference between the functions of the expert in peace and in war; war an art; the difference between the functions of ministers in peace and en war; the control of civil power; the example of the Dardanelles expedition; Mr. Winston Churchill and Lord Kitchener. 54

(b) THE SYSTEM NEEDED 61

Sir William Robertson’s system of 1915; Mr. Lloyd George’s war cabinet; similarity of Robertson’s and Lincoln’s systems; the difference between them; advantages of a dictator in war; the Duke of Marlborough’s experience; the relations between soldiers and statesmen; a mobilization of government as much needed as a mobilization of military forces. 61

(c) STATESMEN, SOLDIERS, AND PEOPLE 66

Statesmen, soldiers, and people — The German system for the conduct of war; why we did not learn from Moltke and Abraham Lincoln; fulminations against political interference useless, Clause. woken the influence of policy; a system when prepare can be adapted to changes our mends not yet clear on the subject, the functions of statesmen and soldiers must be decoded, the soldier’s position en war; the influence of public opinion; a system prepared and known by statesmen, soldiers, and people essential to the successful conduct of war by democracy 66

REQUEST FROM THE PUBLISHER 72

AUTHORITIES QUOTED 73

MAPS 75

I – CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE MAPS - 1861 75

Charleston Harbor, Bombardment of Fort Sumter – 12th & 13th April 1861 75

1st Bull Run Campaign – Theatre Overview July 1861 76

Bull Run – 21st July 1861 77

1st Bull Run Campaign – Situation 18th July 1861 78

1st Bull Run Campaign – Situation 21st July 1861 (Morning) 79

1st Bull Run Campaign - 21st July 1861 Actions 1-3 p.m. 80

1st Bull Run Campaign - 21st July 1861 Union Retreat 4 P.M. to Dusk 81

II – CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE MAPS - 1862 82

Battle of Mill Springs – 19th January 1862 (6-8.30 A.M.) Confederate Attacks 82

Battle of Mill Springs – 19th January 1862 (9 A.M.) Union Attacks 83

Forts Henry and Donelson – 6th to 16th February 1862 84

Battle of Fort Donelson – 14th February 1862 85

Battle of Fort Donelson – 15th February 1862 Morning 86

Battle of Fort Donelson – 15th February 1862 Morning 87

New Madrid and Island No. 10 – March 1862 88

Pea Ridge – 5th to 8th March 1862 89

First Battle of Kernstown – 23rd March 1862, 11 – 16:45 90

Shiloh (or Pittsburg Landing) - 6th & 7th April 1862 91

Battle of Shiloh – 6th April 1862 - Morning 92

Battle of Shiloh – 6th April 1862 – P.M. 93

Battle of Yorktown – 5th to 16th April 1862 94

Jackson’s Valley Campaign – 24th to 25th May 1862 - Actions 95

Williamsburg – 5th May 1862 96

Fair Oaks – 31st May to 1st June 1862 97

Battle of Seven Pines – 31st May 1862 98

Seven Days – 26th June to 2nd July 1862 99

Seven Days Battles – 25th June to 1st July 1862 - Overview 100

Seven Days Battles – 26th & 27th June 1862 101

Seven Days Battles – 30th June 1862 102

Seven Days Battles – 1st July 1862 103

Battle of Gaines Mill – 27th June 1862 2.30 P.M. Hill’s Attacks 104

Battle of Gaines Mill – 27th June 1862 3.30 P.M. Ewell’s Attacks 105

Battle of Gaines Mill – 27th June 1862 7 P.M. General Confederate Attacks 106

Pope’s Campaign - 24th August 1862 107

Pope’s Campaign - 28th August 1862 A.M. 108

Pope’s Campaign - 28th August 1862 6 P.M. 109

Second Battle of Bull Run – 28th August 1862 110

Second Battle of Bull Run – 29th August 1862 10 A.M. 111

Second Battle of Bull Run – 29th August 1862 12 P.M. 112

Second Battle of Bull Run – 29th August 1862 5 P.M. 113

Pope’s Campaign – 29th August 1862 Noon. 114

Second Battle of Bull Run – 30th August 1862 3 P.M. 115

Second Battle of Bull Run – 30th August 1862 4.30 P.M. 116

Second Battle of Bull Run – 30th August 1862 5 P.M. 117

Battle of Harpers Ferry – 15th September 1862 118

Antietam – 16th & 17th September 1862 119

Battle of Antietam – 17th September 1862 Overview 120

Battle of Antietam – 17th September 1862 6 A.M. 121

Battle of Antietam – 17th September 1862 7.30 A.M. 122

Battle of Antietam – 17th September 1862 9 A.M. 123

Battle of Antietam – 17th September 1862 10 A.M. 124

Iuka – 19th September 1862 125

Battle of Iuka – 19th September 1862 126

Corinth – 3rd & 4th October 1862 127

Second Battle of Corinth – 3rd October 1862 128

Second Battle of Corinth – 4th October 1862 129

Perryville – 8th October 1862 130

Battle of Perryville – 8th October 1862 – 2 P.M. 131

Battle of Perryville – 8th October 1862 – 3 P.M. 132

Battle of Perryville – 8th October 1862 – 3.45 P.M. 133

Battle of Perryville – 8th October 1862 – 4 P.M. 134

Battle of Perryville – 8th October 1862 – 4.15 P.M. 135

Battle of Perryville – 8th October 1862 – 5.45 P.M. 136

Fredericksburg – 13th December 1862 137

Battle of Fredericksburg – 13th December 1862 Overview 138

Battle of Fredericksburg – 13th December 1862 Sumner’s Assault 139

Battle of Fredericksburg – 13th December 1862 Hooker’s Assault 140

Battle of Chickasaw Bayou – 26th to 29th December 1862 141

Stone’s River – 31st December 1862 142

Battle of Stones River – 30th December 1862 143

Battle of Stones River – 31st December 1862 – 8.00 A.M. 144

Battle of Stones River – 31st December 1862 – 9.45 A.M. 145

Battle of Stones River – 31st December 1862 – 11.00 A.M. 146

III – CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE MAPS - 1863 147

Battle of Stones River – 2nd January 1863 – 4 P.M. 147

Battle of Stones River – 2nd January 1863 – 4 P.M. 148

Battle of Stones River – 2nd January 1863 – 4.45 P.M. 149

Chancellorsville Campaign (Hooker’s Plan) – April 1863 150

Battle of Chancellorsville – 1st May 1863 Actions 151

Battle of Chancellorsville – 2nd May 1863 Actions 152

Chancellorsville – 2nd May 1863 153

Chancellorsville – 3rd to 5th May 1863 154

Battle of Chancellorsville – 3rd May 1863 Actions 6 A.M. 155

Battle of Chancellorsville – 3rd May 1863 Actions 10 A.M. – 5 P.M. 156

Battle of Chancellorsville – 4th to 6th May 1863. 157

Battle of Brandy Station – 8th June 1863 158

Siege of Vicksburg – 25th May to 4th July 1863 159

Siege of Vicksburg – 19th May 1863 - Assaults 160

Siege of Vicksburg – 22nd May 1863 - Assaults 161

Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 162

Battle of Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 Overview 163

Battle of Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 7 A.M. 164

Battle of Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 10 A.M. 165

Battle of Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 10.45 A.M. 166

Battle of Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 11 A.M. 167

Battle of Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 12.30 P.M. 168

Battle of Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 2 P.M. 169

Gettysburg – 2nd to 4th July 1863 170

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Lee’s Plan 171

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Overview 172

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Cemetary Ridge A.M. 173

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Culp’s Hill – Initial Defence 174

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Culp’s Hill – Evening attacks 175

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Hood’s Assaults 176

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Peach Orchard Initial Assaults 177

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Peach Orchard and Cemetary Ridge 178

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Wheatfield – Initial Assaults 179

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Wheatfield – Second Phase 180

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Cemetery Hill Evening 181

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Little Round Top (1) 182

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Little Round Top (2) 183

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 Overview 184

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 – Pickett’s Charge 185

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 – Pickett’s Charge Detail 186

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 Culp’s Hill – Johnson’s Third Attack 187

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 East Cavalry Field – Opening Positions 188

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 East Cavalry Field – First Phase 189

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 East Cavalry Field – Second Phase 190

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 South Cavalry Field 191

Battle of Gettysburg – Battlefield Overview 192

Fight at Monterey Pass – 4th to 5th July 1863 193

Chickamauga – 19th & 20th September 1863 194

Chickamauga Campaign – Davis’s Crossroads – 11th September 1863 195

Chickamauga Campaign – 18th September 1863 After Dark 196

Battle of Chickamauga – 19th September 1863 Morning 197

Battle of Chickamauga – 19th September 1863 Early Afternoon 198

Battle of Chickamauga – 19th September 1863 Early Afternoon 199

Battle of Chickamauga – 20th September 1863 9 A.M. to 11 A.M. 200

Battle of Chickamauga – 20th September 1863 11 A.M. to Mid-Afternoon 201

Battle of Chickamauga – 20th September 1863 Mid-Afternoon to Dark 202

Battle of Chickamauga – 20th September 1863 Brigade Details 203

Chattanooga – 23rd to 25th November 1863 204

Chattanooga Campaign – 24th & 25th November 1863 205

Chattanooga Campaign – Federal Supply Lines and Wheeler’s Raid 206

Battle of Missionary Ridge – 25th November 1863 207

Mine Run – 26th to 30th November 1863 208

IV – CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE MAPS - 1864 209

Siege of Petersburg – Actions 29th to 31st March 1864 209

Wilderness – 5th & 6th May 1864 210

Battle of the Wilderness – 5th May 1864 – Positions 7 A.M. 211

Battle of the Wilderness – 5th May 1864 - Actions 212

Battle of the Wilderness – 6th May 1864 – Actions 5 A.M. 213

Battle of the Wilderness – 6th May 1864 – Actions 6 A.M. 214

Battle of the Wilderness – 6th May 1864 – Actions 11 A.M. 215

Battle of the Wilderness – 6th May 1864 – Actions 2 P.M. 216

Spotsylvania – 8th to 21st