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What caused Union generals McClellan and Halleck to quarrel over strategy in Tennessee?
Strategy in the Western theater was a constant problem for the Union as well as for the Confederacy. In the situation between General Halleck and General McClellan regarding Tennessee, a clash of opinions began when Halleck informed McClellan that he had no plans for taking action past the capture of Fort Donelson and Clarksville. Here is a summary and a commentary of the events surrounding this particular situation:
1. Since Halleck had no firm plans as mentioned above, McClellan as general in chief decided for him;
2. McClellan ordered Union General Buell to support Halleck's forces, move past Bowling Green and on to Nashville;
3. Halleck called this bad strategy and but forth another plan ( too long to place here );
4. For various reasons, Halleck believed that Nashville was of no importance as the Union controlled Bowling Green; and
5. McClellan insisted and demanded that Halleck prepare at all costs to advance upon Nashville.
Commentary, part of McClellan's plan was based on the importance of the Tennessee capital city of Nashville. This city was the South's second largest industrial center and primary crossroads of rail and river networks between the Appalachians and the Mississippi.
Clearly there was a struggle for power between the two generals. He petitioned McClellan for the creation of a Western Division with himself in charge. Halleck at the same time made the same request to the assistant Secretary of War, Thomas Scott.
What else can I help you with?
Who was given the honor of commanding the union army?
The Generals-in-Chief were, in sequence, Winfield Scott, George McClellan, Henry Halleck, Ulysses Grant.
What did civil war generals McClellan Burnside and Hooker have in common?
They were all senior Union Generals. Apart from that, nothing much. Scott, Halleck and Grant all occupied the post of General-in-Chief. McClellan and Burnside both commanded the Army of the Potomac.
What was ironic concerning the relationship between General Henry Halleck and General George B McClellan?
The irony concerning both of these Union generals was quite unique. When General Halleck was sent to Missouri to clean up the mess left by General Fremont, he also planned on helping the new general in chief George B. McClellan. Not long after, their roles were reversed. It was McClellan reporting to Halleck, as he was the new general in chief.
What did US generals McClellan and Halleck discuss at Harrison's Landing in July 1862?
General Halleck's first assignment was to meet with General McClellan at Harrison's Landing. Each of them had different views on the best way to end the Confederate rebellion. McClellan wanted to cut Richmond's lines of communications by sending troops south of Richmond to do this. Halleck had no intentions of allowing that. Halleck's plan was to have McClellan join forces with General Pope and with this large pair of armies attack Richmond. Also, to protect the endless fear of a Confederate assault on Washington DC, Halleck wanted to keep a sizable force between Washington DC and Richmond. Halleck was willing to compromise. If his plans would not work for McClellan, then he was free to again attempt to capture Richmond with his own army plus some additional 20,000 troops on their way to help McClellan. McClellan, always fearing larger Confederate armies then what existed, asked for 30,000 troops. This left McClellan with two choices. Resume his attempt to capture Richmond or retreat from the Peninsula. McClellan's idea was not to retreat but carry on an attempt to capture Richmond.
What language did Union General Henry W Halleck teach at West Point?
Major General Henry Wager Halleck was one of the key Union generals during the US Civil War. At one time US President Lincoln named him general in chief, replacing George McClellan. Halleck taught French at West Point.
What year did Union General Henry Wager Halleck graduate from West Point?
General Henry W. Halleck graduated from West Point in 1839. He was ranked third in a graduating class of 31. Halleck had a fine career during the US Civil War. Foe a time, President Lincoln promoted him to the position of general in chief. In that role both generals US Grant and George B. McClellan reported to Halleck.
Why did Union General Henry Halleck travel to Washington DC in early July 1862?
On July 25, 1862, General in Chief Henry W. Halleck, accompanied by Major General Ambrose Burnside visited Harrison's Landing to confer with General McClellan. Halleck's purpose is to pressure McClellan to do "something". Halleck orders McClellan to advance against Richmond or withdraw from the Peninsula and send troops to join Major General Pope's Army of Virginia. McClellan commits to nothing. He is placing himself and General Pope's mission in jeopardy.
What caused Union generals Burnside and Rosecrans to delay their advances into Tennessee in 1863?
General in Chief Henry Wager Halleck was aware of the strong Confederate defenses in Tennessee, however, he ordered generals Burnside and Rosencrans to not delay. The generals did delay, however, because they believed they required reinforcements. Also, both generals faced serious logistical problems. In the case of General Rosecrans, he still had to protect his railroad link and forage for his army against a superior Confederate cavalry. Burnside had no rail link at all. US President Lincoln was unhappy that Halleck's orders were delayed by his field generals. Lincoln questioned their abilities to find supplies, this did damage to the generals' morale.
What was the union generals involved?
The main Union generals were, Winfield Scott, George McClellan, Henry Halleck, Ambrose Burnside, George Armstrong Custer, Philip Sheridan, Joseph Hooker, George Meade, in the east; and Grant, Sherman, and Thomas in the West; with Grant eventually becoming the overall commander.
What were some of General McClellan's orders to General Halleck in the Union's Department of the West in 1861?
General in Chief George B. McClellan appointed General Henry Wager Halleck to lead the new Department of the West on November 9, 1861. McClellan wanted Halleck to straighten out the mess left behind by General Fremont. He also wanted Halleck to fortify various central parts of Missouri and to create a concentration of troops near the Mississippi River.
What facts did General Halleck take into account regarding a continuation of the Peninsula Campaign?
General George B. McClellan was positive that he needed an additional 20,000 troops to continue the Peninsula Campaign and informed generals Halleck and Meigs that the Confederates had at least 200,000 troops guarding Richmond. He did however, believe that his requested army of 110,000 troops would enable him to advance towards Richmond. At best, Halleck and Meigs believed the Confederate forces numbered 105,000, however the Confederates had much less than that. After returning to Washington DC, both Halleck and Meigs recommended that McClellan and the Army of the Potomac leave the peninsula and head for northern Virginia.
What was the first assignment US President Lincoln gave to General Halleck upon his return to Washington DC in 1862?
In early July of 1862, US President Lincoln summoned General Henry W. Halleck to come to Washington DC. Lincoln had already decided to give Halleck command of all Federal armies, which of course included General Geprge B. McClellan's Army of the Potomac. Halleck's fist assignment was to see if McClellan was willing to retry his assault on the Confederate capital of Richmond. Lincoln had focused on the fall of Richmond since the beginning of the war. Halleck was informed that McClellan would have to use the troops he already had. If McClellan refused, Halleck was to relieve him and withdraw the army back to Washington DC and an entirely new campaign could be formulated.
