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Military theorist Henri Jomini's works on Napoleonic Era warfare was written in French, however, many Union generals had read translations of Jomini's ideas on warfare. One of Johmini's ideas about battles found a home in the thinking of many Union generals. One such idea was that Johmini advised one great offensive action centered on one theater of war. Theaters during the US Civil War were huge. Also, due to the tactical defensive nature of Confederate General Robert E. Lee and other Southern generals, the "one great effort" to destroy an enemy army within a single theater of war proved virtually impossible for Union generals.

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Q: How did adherence to the battle tactics of Henri Jomini hamper Union generals' battle performance?
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Who were the West Point instructors that translated the most up to date publication of military theorist Henri Jomini?

In 1862, two West Point instructors, Captain George H. Mendel and Lieutenant William P. Craighill translated the latest publication of Henri Jomini on warfare. It was so up to date that it contained a chapter on the Union's successful capture of Port Royal in South Carolina in 1861. Both instructors made it clear to any West point generals in the field, that they believed Jomini was the best living authority on modern warfare.


What US Civil War military theorist favored offensive tactics and bayonet charges?

Military theorist Emil Schalk was a first hand observer of the US Civil War. In his publication called the Summary of the Art of War, he stated that offensive tactics and bayonet charges were effective in winning battles. As far as favoring offensive operations, Schalk was in agreement with Henri Jomini.


What situation did military theorist Henri Jomini believe was most favorable for guerrilla warfare?

Henri Jomini wrote that guerrilla warfare is an effective strategy when the defending nation is aided by the terrain. Jomini cites mountainous regions and a landscape deep with forests as ideal positions from which a defending people are most familiar. The invading army is at a disadvantage because of the lack of knowledge of the terrain. Jomini also points out that guerrilla warfare prospers when the invaded nation has a reliable regular army that the invaders must also contend with.


What military events did military theorist Henri Johmini write about?

Military theorist Henri Jomini completed over twenty seven volumes of work based on the history of warfare and its tactics and strategies. He covered the military events surrounding Napoleon, Frederick the Great along with the wars associated with the French Revolution.


What was one of many military ideas of Antoine-Henry de Jomini?

The leading military strategists of the 19 Century were Antone Henri Jomini and Karl von Clausewitz. These men wrote much about the concept of "Grand Strategy". For the most part this concept was foreign to most West Point graduates. However, there were some that were familiar with Jomini. The influence of the Napoleon era military sage on generals on both sides of the Civil War are still being debated today. Whether intentional or not both sides followed his thinking on objectives, offense, mass, economy of force, and the unity of command. With that said, many historians cite Jomini's preoccupation with the possession of holding the battlefields central position which entailed interior and exterior lines of advance. The term "interior" refers to one side's advancing army having shorter distances to march in order to concentrate more than the enemy could. The disadvantage of the enemy being having to cover a greater distance and is moving on the "exterior" line. Jomini's ideal was then to holding the interior, or better said, the central position. As an aside, many chess players understand the value of having their pieces dominate the center of the chess board.Holding the military interior enables forces more able to unite and defeat in detail the several forces of a larger army. As the battle progresses, the point of attack on each element of the enemy's should be successful in having the smaller army, defeat, piece by piece, a larger army.It has been said that this Jomini idea was part of Robert E. Lee's intention when he invaded Pennsyvania.

Related questions

What was Union General Henry W Hallecks's version of Jomini war tactics?

Union General Henry Wager Halleck served during the US Civil War as General in Chief for a time. When he was an instructor he taught Jomini war tactics. He was able to do this as he had translated much of Jomini's war tactics from French to English. As an instructor, his version of Jomini consisted of the following basics:1. Provide troop concentrations on the enemy's weakest point of defense; 2. Attempt to intercept and act on the enemy's communications and be sure not to endanger one's own system; and 3. Always attempt to use the tactic of interior lines to take care of the first tactic mention, regarding concentration.


What sources did military theorists Henri Jomini and Carl Von Clausewitz use to formulate their publications on the art and science of war?

Henri Jomini and Carl Von Clausewitz were prominent military thinkers in the 19th century. Much of their writings were based on the wars fought by Napoleon and Frederick the Great. Both Jomini and Clausewitz were first hand witnesses to the military exploits of the aforementioned generals.


What can be described as three elements of war as defined by military author Henri Jomini?

There are volumes of Jomini's works on his view of strategy and tactics. On part stands out in that both generals Robert E. Lee and George B. McClellan used parts of Jomini's ideas. The Napoleonic era writer made it clear that winning a war was not based solely on holding on to conquered territory. Defeating the enemy in the field ranked higher and yes, as with Lee and McClellan, maneuvering played a large role in success but in the end, it was no substitute for fighting.For the most part Lee practiced the three aforementioned parts, while McClellan placed more emphasis on maneuvering.


What is Antoine-Henri Jomini's birthday?

Antoine-Henri Jomini was born on March 6, 1779.


When was Antoine-Henri Jomini born?

Antoine-Henri Jomini was born on March 6, 1779.


What are the two most important ideas of Antoine Henri Jomini?

When discussing the military ideas of Antoine Henri Jomini, it's better to take a broader view in order to fully understand his beliefs. He emphasized the idea of seeing a wide view of war by focusing on theaters of operations. meaning the widest view possible. He also spoke about the value of territorial objectives. With these points said, Jomini also focused on battle tactics. And, he gave advice on the advantages of a strong defense.


What were the basic tenets of military theorist Henri Jomini that many US Civil War generals followed?

Many of the US Civil War generals from both sides of the conflict were aware of the military ideas of Henri Jomini. He had put together a series of texts based on his observations during the Napoleonic Era in Europe. Johmini was offensive minded which fit most Union generals' operations. Although, there were also used by Confederate generals, but to a lessor extent. Jomini advocated the following:* Direct a concentration of troops that created an aggressive frontal assault; * Avoid too much maneuvering and flanking operations as they are too risky; * Take advantage of speed when attacking the enemy; * If invaded, hold one's ground and have a plan to invade the enemy's territory; * Never forget that the military objective is the enemy's army, not a city or territory; and * Resort to maneuvers when it's clear the danger is small and is required at a decisive point of a battle.


When did Antoine-Henri Jomini die?

Antoine-Henri Jomini died on March 24, 1869 at the age of 90.


How old was Antoine-Henri Jomini at death?

Antoine-Henri Jomini died on March 24, 1869 at the age of 90.


What has the author Henri Jomini written?

Henri Jomini has written: 'Atlas pour le traite des grandes operations militaires'


Who were the West Point instructors that translated the most up to date publication of military theorist Henri Jomini?

In 1862, two West Point instructors, Captain George H. Mendel and Lieutenant William P. Craighill translated the latest publication of Henri Jomini on warfare. It was so up to date that it contained a chapter on the Union's successful capture of Port Royal in South Carolina in 1861. Both instructors made it clear to any West point generals in the field, that they believed Jomini was the best living authority on modern warfare.


What European military expert had the most influence in battle tactics during the US Civil War?

The answer to this question requires that strategy be separated from battle tactics. Strategy involves a larger military outlook on how a war is to be conducted. A quick example is a strategy of using a navy to blockade ports. When speaking about battle tactics, we are in the area of planning the way a commander will plan on how to win an upcoming battle. Here we see that the Napoleon era H. Jomini's influence was greater in the field of battle tactics. Here are the use of concentration of forces on interior lines was practiced whenever feasible. Jomini's emphasis on defense as the strongest tactical position was the frequent tactic within a battle. From this point, it became then feasible to form a counter attack upon the enemy.