When discussing historical events, a common mistake we make is overgeneralization. It's possible to so simplify complex events that the nuances and diverse perspectives are overlooked. The "Industrial Revolution," for example, involved much more than technological advances. It presented significant social and economic challenges as well. This is not to say that generalizations are never helpful. Here are some brief descriptions of significant events in American history. See if you can identify them:
- Tea, Toss
- Beer, Banned
- Harbor, Sunk
- Music, Mud
- Texas, Shooting
- Planes, Collapse
At the Battle of Antietam, I've heard the event described in two words:
- Movement, Piecemeal
The reference here is to key characteristics for each commander at the battle.
Lee's word is "movement." During the fighting, Lee was constantly shifting his troops around the battlefield where they were needed the most. Moreover, although outnumbered 2 to 1, he committed his entire force to the fight, while McClellan sent in less than three-fourths of his army, thus enabling Lee to fight the Federals to a standstill.
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| The Pry House, McClellan's HQ during the battle. |
For McClellan, the word is "piecemeal." That day he failed to launch a single coordinated attack on Lee's flank. Unbelievable! Instead, the Union army went into the fight division by division. This gave Lee the opportunity to adjust his lines in a way to counter the Federal assaults. At the Sunken Road, for example, a great opportunity was afforded McClellan. If this broken section of the Confederate lines had been exploited, Lee's army would have been divided in half and possibly defeated. McClellan had the forces to accomplishment this. Waiting in reserve were 3,000 cavalry and the 10,300 infantrymen of General Porter's V Army Corps waiting near the Middle Bridge, a mere mile away. Or take the fight at the Burnside Bridge. McClellan could have made a determined attack on Lee's right and prevented him from detaching troops to reinforce his battered left.
McClellan did neither.
I'm no expert in Civil War strategy. But I can't help but think that McClellan had opportunity after opportunity to destroy Lee's army. They were all wasted.
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| On Nov. 5, 1862, Lincoln ordered McClellan to be removed from command. |