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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.

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After President Lincoln removed George B. McClellan from the position of general in chief, Lincoln and Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton had attempted to manage the war without a general in chief. In the wake of the failed Peninsula campaign they understood that they needed a professional military general to fill the vacant position. On July 11, 1862, Lincoln named Major General Henry W. Halleck to be the Union;s general in chief. He assumed the position on July 23, 1862.

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Q: What prompted President Lincoln to appoint Major General Henry W. Halleck to general in chief in 1862?
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Why was appointing General Henry W Halleck to general in chief a mistake in the US Civil War by President Lincoln?

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.


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.


What was one of Union General Henry W. Halleck's problems when he became the general in chief in 1862?

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.


What was General Henry Wager Halleck's General Orders 107?

After the removal of General George B. McClellan as general in chief, President Lincoln and Secretary of War Stanton tried to run the war without a general in chief. This was not a success so Lincoln consulted with some of his military advisors, including John Pope and General Winfield Scott. Both men suggested General Henry Halleck for the job. Lincoln then summoned Halleck, operating in the Western Theater to come to Washington. Apparently Halleck was unclear about President Lincoln's intentions. He politely refused to go to Washington unless he was given full control of the Eastern Theater. Lincoln informed Halleck that the entire army, east and west was under his control as the new general in chief. Halleck was aware of the political snafus in Washington DC. And, when he arrived he used his expert knowledge of military law to clarify the Second Confiscation Act passed by Congress on July 17,1862. On August 15, 1862 he issued General Orders No. 107. This was a proper military law clarification of the Confiscation Act. In the orders to his generals he carefully explained the procedures for seizing enemy property for government use and the organization and conduct of foraging parties. Halleck defined the difference between pillaging and looting and property lawfully taken from the enemy. All property seized had to be recorded and all officers were directly responsible for illegal activities of their troops. As an aside, it would be Halleck who would review the actions of General Sherman in Georgia.


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.

Related questions

When did US President Lincoln name General Henry Halleck as general in chief?

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.


What general did US President Lincoln place in charge of the Department of the Mississippi?

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.


When did US President Lincoln name Henry W Halleck to become the Union's general in chief?

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.


Why did President Lincoln place General McClellan under the command of General Halleck?

because they wanted beaten so hard the southerners .


What was the advice of General in Chief Henry W Halleck regarding Union Major General Joseph Hooker?

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.


What did US President Lincoln do after he relieved General George B McClellan from his position of general in chief?

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.


Why was appointing General Henry W Halleck to general in chief a mistake in the US Civil War by President Lincoln?

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.


When did US President appoint General Henry W Halleck to be general in chief of Union armies?

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.


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.


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.


What was Major General Henry W. Halleck's plan after he took control of Corinth Mississippi?

Once Corinth Mississippi was controlled by Major General Halleck in 1862, he advised President Lincoln that all Union forces not required to control the Memphis and Charleston railway, would be used to support General Curtis in Arkansas and to send forces to East Tennessee. President Lincoln was in favor of Halleck's plans. Especially sending Union forces to East Tennessee. That part of the state had many Unionists living there and Lincoln wanted to support them.


What was the new position of General Henry Halleck when US Grant became general in chief in 1864?

When President Lincoln appointed General US grant to the position of general in chief, it created two new elements in the Union' high command. Grant became the chief of staff to President Lincoln and the former general in chief, Henry W. Halleck became Grant's chief of staff. Halleck was well adapted to this role and operated the army's headquarters efficiently and effectively.