View single post by ole
 Posted: Tue Jan 9th, 2007 06:04 am
PM Quote Reply Full Topic
ole
Member


Joined: Sun Oct 22nd, 2006
Location:  
Posts: 2027
Status: 
Offline
Mana: 
 Comparing Grant and Lee's accomplishments and capabilities, while difficult, is far easier than most other comparisons.

It might be easier because they both ended up as "supreme" commanders of their respective armies. If you start with the question: "Who surrendered to whom?" and work backwards. But then you have to detract from the Grant column because of the handicaps Lee was working under. And then you have to detract from the Lee column his fixation on Virginia and blind eye to the needs of the West.

Battle for battle, both were brilliant and made mistakes. Neither was perfect. Neither was "better." That's the only way I can read it. It remains an interesting discussion, but it is profitable only in that it stimulates thinking and discussion. There is no conclusion.

Ole