"Sherman and the Army of the Cumberland" Topic

For year I knew Sherman went out west and then had a nervous breakdown. I only recently found out what his coomand was. He was replaced by Don Carol Buell – so if he hadn't flipped out (a BIG if) – he would have commanded the Army of the Cumberland. He would have to have been better than Buell.

ok.
I agree…Sherman was better than Buell.

Yes Sherman was better but what would have happened at Shiloh? Would the Sherman replacement have been as lax on security OR as dogged in defense? Hmmm.

Ha! Good crack.

Seriously though – if the AoC marched at a decent pace they would have been at Shiloh before the Confederates attacked.
I can't imagine Sherman letting his left get whacked at Perryville while the rest of his army stood still.

For that matter, Sherman would have marched faster and perhaps Bragg would never have gotten so far north.

This all presumes Tecumsah didn't flip out…

Just looked at my first post – Don Carol Buell? Dang, the spelling posse will get me.

I've never been terribly impressed with Sherman. He was defeated in every fight he had until he got an independant command after Grant went east. He lost/got mangled at Shilo, Tunnel Hill, Vicksburg, the bluffs outside Vicksburg, (can't remember the name of that action), it wasn't until he had overwhelming numbers that he did well.

There is no reason to suppose Sherman would have performed at a high level before he earned his way up the chain of command. He did not show particularly well at Shiloh. The Sherman of 1862 showed all the faults of many an ACW general; in particular, he took council in his fears. It is clear his association with Grant steadied his nerves and allowed his talent to develop; his remarks re: Grant emphasize his admiration for Grant's iron nerves. Buell was a better man for the job at the time.

Sherman is a perfect example of how, if you understand strategy, tactics are secondary. The side that fights strategically will always defeat the army that fights tactically or operationally. Grant and Sherman were strategists of the first order. Not so much their opponents.

Right, Sherman was not an impressive tactician but his army was usually where it should be – wich in early 1862 would be at Pittsburgh Landing before the Rebels ever got there, and later in 1862 at Chattanooga before Bragg arrived, etc.

It would have made the attack at Shiloh moot and it would have aborted Bragg's 1862 offensive. Buell may have had some skill but he was so slow that it didn't matter.

Sherman didn't waste time, at least not like Buell or Little Mac did.

Dn Jackson

Don't forget the complete shambles of the flank attack on Missionary Ridge near Chattanooga! If you want a clear picture of just how ordinary Sherman was Pre 1864 Atlanta Campaign, read Peter Cozzens Shipwreck of Their Hopes! It is the third volume in his Mid war Western Theatre triolgy! It is a real eye opener and myth buster, about many events and many personalities on both sides of the battleline!!

"he took council in his fears"

counsel, that is