Monday, March 22, 2010
Day 2 at Gettysburg
Lee states that "We are never prepared for so many to die" (page 203). He goes on to say that "But...that is the trap." Just knowing 1,000's will die and still as an army, you are in a trap because you must go forward knowing that many will die. What a horrible dilemma. I don't think that I would make a very good officer.I also get the impression that the excitement of a battle is much like an addiction to a drug and both kill. Yet people go into both knowing the chances.
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Reflecting on what you said about "not being a very good leader" I tend to think of Gen. Meade-the big Kahuna on the Union side, p. 320, wanted to pull out of the battle earlier-put it to a vote- and all the CORE Commanders voted to stay and fight. Can you imagine Gen.Patton doing that? When in command, one has to command. To many times, popularity plays into leadership roles-AT ANY LEVEL.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is true. That is why the Union Army had such a hard time winning the first 2-3 years. They needed a General who was more concerned about the war than his political future. McClellan was hugely popular with the troops (why Lincoln couldn't fire him) and yet was a very ineffective commander.
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