It seems almost impossible that US President Lincoln would elevate General Henry W. Halleck to the top military position in the Union and allow there to be misinformation concerning differences in strategy to exist. Part of the problem was Lincoln's decision to plan strategy rather than creating an overall war policy. To place this in its proper perspective, imagine both General Dwight D. Eisenhower and US President Franklin D. Roosevelt, of course agreeing that Germany had to be defeated in Western Europe. Then having Roosevelt explaining to Eisenhower that the strategy for doing so, meant launching an invasion of Hamburg instead of invading Normandy.
With that said, the Union Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton, explained to General Halleck that the president's strategic priorities differed from those of General Halleck.
Lincoln's priority was that an advance on eastern Tennessee was second only to an advance on Richmond.
General Sherman's expectations of a vigorous Fall offensive fell quite short of this. All major Union forces were stalled due to poor logistical preparations, the infusion of untrained new recruits under inexperienced officers. And, Lincoln failed to understand military mentality. The US Army and even the general public were demoralized by the removal of generals Buell and former general in chief George B. McClellan.
As an aside, the general public was not overly impressed with Lincoln's Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, especially in Missouri, Kentucky and Maryland. In 1862, the North was seeking to keep the Union intact, slavery could be addressed once the South gave up its rebellion.
General Hallecks chief problem with Union operations and strategies in June of 1862 are perhaps one reason later on that US President Lincoln had to change his own ideas on conducting the war. The fact is that in early June of 1862, Halleck had no strategy at all.
Union Major General Henry Wager Halleck had been a successful general in the Western Theater as the war moved into Spring of 1862. Halleck's victories enhanced his already known skills of military strategy and also respected for his publications on war tactics and strategies. The decision Lincoln had to make was to appoint Halleck to be the new general in chief or to be the new secretary of war.Lincoln chose the former job for Halleck. How that might have effected the war is now only a matter of speculation.
As General In Chief, Henry Wager Halleck did an excellent job in the Western Theater. His promotion was due to his talent as a military strategist. Problems arose because US President Lincoln, Secretary of War, Stanton tried to be military advisors. Halleck has been unduly criticized and could have easily continued.
US President Lincoln had promoted General Henry Halleck to be the Union's general in chief. His first major decision was in the Summer of 1862 when he ordered General McClellan to retreat from the Peninsula and return with his army to Washington.
When President Lincoln promoted Major General Henry W. Halleck as the new general in chief, Halleck had more than one problem confronting him. Part of the reason for this was that after Lincoln removed McClellan from the general in chief position, too many months passed before Lincoln designated Halleck to fill this crucial position. Lincoln and Secretary of War Stanton took on that role to the detriment of the Union's war efforts. Aside from the disaster of the Peninsula campaign and what to do with Major General George B. McClellan, Halleck faced problems in the West. His departure from the West caused a loss of unity in that critical area. Halleck had no real candidates to fill his old position and had resolved to reorganize the Western department. He also faced the new political pressures that Washington DC presented to him.
President Lincoln believed the position of general in chief needed to be restored. With that said, he appointed General Henry Halleck to that position in July of 1862. Lincoln would come to regret that decision.
US President Lincoln had faith in the abilities of General Henry W. Halleck. Lincoln created a new Department of the Mississippi. This was a large area and made Halleck the top general in the West.
President Lincoln had left the position of general in chief vacant since he had taken away that title from General George B. McClellan. On July 11, 1862, Lincoln named General Henry W. Halleck to be the Union's new general in chief.
General Hallecks chief problem with Union operations and strategies in June of 1862 are perhaps one reason later on that US President Lincoln had to change his own ideas on conducting the war. The fact is that in early June of 1862, Halleck had no strategy at all.
because they wanted beaten so hard the southerners .
Union Major General Henry Wager Halleck had been a successful general in the Western Theater as the war moved into Spring of 1862. Halleck's victories enhanced his already known skills of military strategy and also respected for his publications on war tactics and strategies. The decision Lincoln had to make was to appoint Halleck to be the new general in chief or to be the new secretary of war.Lincoln chose the former job for Halleck. How that might have effected the war is now only a matter of speculation.
Both US president Lincoln and General in Chief Henry Wager Halleck were displeased with general Joseph hooker. They believed that Hooker's response to Lee's crossing of the Potomac River was late and unresponsive to the needs of the Union. This required a change and Halleck's choice of General Meade to replace Hooker was in line with President Lincoln's views on the matter.
President Lincoln's changed his commanding general several times.
President Lincoln's changed his commanding general several times.
President Lincoln did second guess himself for a while. This is because General McClellan had years of extensive industry and military experience. Lincoln, however, would soon find a replacement for the ousted General.
As General In Chief, Henry Wager Halleck did an excellent job in the Western Theater. His promotion was due to his talent as a military strategist. Problems arose because US President Lincoln, Secretary of War, Stanton tried to be military advisors. Halleck has been unduly criticized and could have easily continued.
US President Lincoln was impressed by General Halleck's performance in the West. He appointed him to be general in chief of all Union military forces on July 11, 1862. The previous general in chief had been General George B. McClellan.