answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Many historians believe that Union General Halleck was not a good commanding general. By the Summer of 1862 it was clear to the Lincoln administration, and perhaps even to Halleck himself, that field generalship was not a strength of his. At the beginning of the war, Halleck was believed to have the ability to manage and coordinate the operations of several independent armies across the large areas in all theaters of the war.

The multiple threats posed by the Confederate offensives of generals Bragg, Van Dorn, and Lee, left Halleck in a confused state of mind. He became over taxed and began to lose confidence in his abilities. He became increasingly reluctant to take responsibility for critical decisions.


He wanted McClellan to vacate the Peninsula campaign and take command of the forces guarding Washington DC. Yet did not press it. There was a clear rivalry between McClellan in both military and political issues. He saw McClellan as his chief rival for control of military affairs. Ultimately both generals failed in their mission to win the war in an expedient and efficient manner.



User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago

The weakness was because there was political culture in the South.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What have many historians cited as a weakness in Union General Halleck?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about General History

What did Union General Henry Halleck do after US Grant's victory at Fort Donelson?

The fall of Fort Donelson in 1862 secured the flank of the Union forces in that area. General Henry Halleck took this opportunity to have Union forces to move up the Tennessee River as far as was possible.


When did Union General Henry W Halleck become the Union general in chief?

With the disaster of the Peninsula campaign still remaining a lingering problem, Lincoln summons General Henry Halleck to Washington DC. On July 23, 1862, Halleck assumes the position of general in chief. He is sent to meet McClellan ans asses the situation at Harrison's Landing.


What did Union General Henry Halleck believe about General Winfield Scott's idea of controlling the Mississippi River?

Major General Henry W. Halleck saw merit in the pre-war plans of the then Union general in chief, Winfield Scott. Halleck expected a Southern counter attack on General Grant's army at Pittsburg Landing. As the Union's commander in the Western Theater, he ordered the forces of General Buell to move down the Tennessee River and reinforce Grant. Anxious to control the Mississippi River, Halleck did not concentrate his entire force on the Tennessee River. Halleck kept General John Pope and an army of 25,000 troops west of the Mississippi, working with the Union navy, to capture Confederate strongholds there. He therefore, by his actions, agreed with Scott's idea of using the Mississippi River as a control point to keep as many Confederate forces as possible separated from each other.


What was the first major decision by general in chief Henry Halleck?

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.


Who is general Ulysses S. Grant?

Well he was a General in the Civil War and then went on to be one of Presidents of the United States of America.

Related questions

What were some of the characteristics of Union general Henry Halleck?

Some of the characteristics of Union General Henry Halleck was that he was a land developer and a successful lawyer.


Did General Halleck defeat pope in in the second Battle of Bull Run?

No. Lee defeated Pope. Halleck was a Union general.


Who was the union general in 1863?

For the whole of that year, it was Henry Halleck.


Who was the commander of the forces in the Union's western campaign?

Ulysses S. Grant came after General Henry Halleck. This happened when Halleck was called to Washington to become the new Union general in chief.


Who was the commander of the force in the union western campaign?

Ulysses S. Grant came after General Henry Halleck. This happened when Halleck was called to Washington to become the new Union general in chief.


What were the concerns of Union General in Chief Henry W Halleck concerning General Pope?

After Union General in Chief Henry W. Halleck ordered General McClellan to evacuate the Peninsula in July of 1862, and reinforce General Pope, Halleck was concerned about the leadership abilities of the new commander of the army formed under John Pope. Based on Halleck's observations during the Corinth campaign, Pope appeared to have limited abilities as a field commander.


How did General in Chief Henry Halleck display his anger at Union General Rosecrans?

In the Western Theater, Union General Rosecrans believed he did not have the complete elements to advance and stalled at Halleck's orders to do so. Halleck then sent Rosecrans what are called peremptory orders demanding daily reports from Rosecrans. Rosecrans finally did advance in Tennessee, however, Halleck sent a stern message to him informing the general that help he wanted from General Grant were not at all connected to the duties of Rosecrans.


What caused Union General Henry W Halleck to have a dim outlook on the Union army when he arrived in Washington DC in 1862?

When General Halleck arrived in Washington DC, he was dismayed. He saw that that politics and in-fighting between Lincoln and McClellan and the Union administration were all hurting the Union's war efforts.


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 elements did General Halleck bring to the position of general in chief for the Union?

Major General Henry W. Halleck was a good choice to replace General George B. McClellan as the Union's new general in chief. He had what President Lincoln was looking for. Halleck was a West Point graduate with genuine prestige. This sat well with the army and the general public. Halleck also had already established a strong loyalty among the Union's western commanders. He would be new to the Eastern Theater, and this required all of his skills to deal with the eastern officers such as Burnside, Hooker and McClellan. General Pope would also move to the East, however, Halleck already knew of his abilities.


Who was the commander of the forces in the unions western campaign?

Ulysses S. Grant came after General Henry Halleck. This happened when Halleck was called to Washington to become the new Union general in chief.


What union general planned the assault on corinth?

Union general Halleck planned the assault on Corinth. Indeed the city was evacuated by the Confederates before the assault.