Lincoln and His Generals (Vintage Civil War Library)

T. Harry Williams was a fine teacher and writer in the field of American History. He is probably best known for his extensive biography of Huey Long, bearing the name of the title character for the title.
Mr. Williams book on '"Lincoln and His General" is a fine account of the struggles President

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Lincoln went through getting competent generals to lead his armies, particularly The Army of the Potomac.
George McCllelan was the first general who held the position commanding the Army of the Potomac for a lengthy period. General McCllelan was impossible and in Lincoln's words "had a case of the slows". McCllellan always doubled the number of the army he was facing justifying his slowness in proceeding. He was rude and disrespectful to Lincoln and belittled Lincoln's attempts to understand the strategy and tactics brought about by changes in warfare. McClellan was fired twice and the second time for good.
After McCllellan came Burnside who correctly doubted his qualifications for the position. Next was Joe Hooker who was the victim of a superbly executed Confederate battle plan at Chancellorsville. Then George Meade won a great defensive victory at Gettsburg but was unable to move his army in attack. Finally U.S. Grant took ober the command of all of the Northern arnies and closely supervised Meade.

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