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Thursday, May 07, 06:11:52am [ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, [4] ]

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Date Posted: 03/22/04 2:34:58pm
Author: Doug Cooper
Subject: Re: Diary of W. Randolph Howell
In reply to: Cody Farrell 's message, "Diary of W. Randolph Howell" on 03/21/04 4:23:07pm

thanks Cody!! Note the use of the term "impudent yanks" in describing Pleasant Hill...probably points to the yanks obstinance at Pleasant Hill. This is just another in a long line of excellent accounts of these two battles. Remember that for a lot of these troops, esp our Brigade, this was the apex of their combat experience and much rich material exists of those days.

Pleasant Hill was a mess...and in real military terms a defeat or at best a draw for Taylor...

But just like Lee vs McClellan on the Peninsula, if you take the measure of your opposite number, even if you lose the final battle(s), you can win the campaign. Banks troops were betrayed by an incompetent commander who took counsel of his fears and justified poor decisions by listening to those who agreed that "all was lost" (Franklin) and ignored those who were not beaten (Smith).

Banks and Smith, Bragg and Forrest, Hood and Cleburne/Forrest, McClellan and Kearney, Hooker and Meade - Army Commanders who should have listened to the folks under them who were smarter/better by half.

Doug

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