Thursday, November 29, 2007

 

GRANT MEMOIRS - 8

And finally, three miscellaneous comments:

On human nature: After commenting on the politics of tobacco re: Mexico and Spain, Grant philosophized. "The difficulty of obtaining tobacco is probably the reason why everybody, male and female, used it at that time (in Mexico). I know from my own experience that when I was at West Point, the fact that tobacco, in every form, was prohibited, and the mere possession of the weed severely punished, made the majority of the cadets, myself included, try to acquire the habit of using it."

At Appomattox Grant was suffering a migraine headache which was instantly cured when the surrender note came. Upon meeting with Lee "My own feelings, which had been quite jubilant on the receipt of the letter, were sad and depressed. I felt like anything rather than rejoicing at the downfall of a foe who had fought so long and valiantly, and had suffered so much for a cause, though that cause was, I believe, one of the worst for which a people ever fought, and one for which there was the least excuse. I do not question, however, the sincerity of the great mass of those who were opposed to us."

How time changes attitudes: Grant knew that as long as there are living witnesses to the war there are people who will not be consoled at the loss of a cause they considered holy. "As time passes, people, even of the South, will begin to wonder how it was possible that their ancestors ever fought for or justified" the institution of slavery.


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GRANT MEMOIRS - 7

The vagaries of life and war can be fascinating. As I noted in an earlier blog, "what if..."

Many generals and other commanders died on the field of battle. Albert Sidney Johnston, for whom my junior high school in Houston was named, died at Shiloh. Sherman was shot twice, in a hand and shoulder, with a third bullet passing through his hat. He also had several horses shot from under him. But Sherman, of course, lived to be a decisive factor in the war.

Grant was scouting an area unaware of any troops when confederate musketry opened up and several bullets whizzed past his ear. One also struck the metal scabbard of his sword nearly severing it. But Grant was untouched.

Grant was susceptible to "consumption" (tuberculosis) which ran in his family. As a teen he had not desired to go to West Point and did not relish army life. (In fact, in 1839 there was a congressional bill to abolish West Point. Grant read of it with interest and favor, figuring this was his honorable way to get a discharge!) After his graduation, his goal was to teach at West Point. But with the Mexican War brewing and the circumstances of his regiment he knew he would never get the appointment. Rather he was assigned to Texas and spent a lot of time outdoors - until the cough he had acquired at West Point disappeared. "I have often thought that my life was saved, and my health restored, by exercise and exposure, enforced by an administrative act, and a war, both of which I disapproved."

April 14, 1865. Lincoln invited Grant and his wife to accompany him to Ford's theater for the play. Grant replied that he would be pleased to, but that if he got his work finished early enough, he was anxious to get away and see his children. Grant did finish and was switching trains in Philadelphia when he got word of the shooting of the President.


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GRANT MEMOIRS - 6

One wonders how a commander views the horrors of war. How can a man send thousands to their deaths and still be sensitive to suffering?

After a day of battle at Shiloh it rained hard that night. Grant had a severely swollen ankle due to a horse fall. Unable to sleep due to the rain and ankle pain, he moved into a log house which was serving as a hospital. All night men were treated, limbs were being amputated. "The sight was more unendurable than encountering the enemy's fire, and I returned to my tree in the rain."

He also relates that after the second day of battle he saw an open field "so covered with dead that it would have been possible to walk across the clearing, in any direction, stepping on dead bodies, without a foot touching the ground."

While on duty in Mexico he attended a bull fight. "The sight to me was sickening. I could not see how human beings could enjoy the suffering of beasts, and often of men, as they seem to do on these occasions."

Commenting on sleeping on the porch of a captured "rebel hospital" filled with southern wounded: "While a battle is raging one can see his enemy mowed down by the thousand, with great composure; but after the battle these scenes are distressing, and one is naturally disposed to do as much to alleviate the suffering of an enemy as a friend."


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GRANT MEMOIRS - 5

Biographies or memoirs give interesting insight into what makes significant characters tick.

Grant had a certain "no nonsense" quality. On hearing of a duel Grant noted that he would never fight one. "If I should do another such a wrong as to justify him in killing me, I would make any reasonable atonement within my power." And "if any man should wrong me to the extent of my being willing to kill him, I would not be willing to give him the choice of weapons with which it should be done, and of the the time, place and distance separating us, when I executed him." Rather than perceiving a duel as honorable and a matter of courage, Grant wrote, "No doubt a majority of duels fought have been for want of moral courage on the part of those engaged to decline."

He also had a determination when he set on a course. When Lincoln appointed Grant head of the Army of the Potomac to take on Lee, he finally found a commander who would doggedly pursue Lee to the end no matter what. This character was exemplified back in 1844 when he was traveling alone and had to cross a creek swollen with rain. He hesitated only a moment before plunging in. "One of my superstitions had always been when I started to go any where, to to do anything, not to turn back, or stop until the thing intended was accomplished." He would get lost in traveling the countryside, but never turn back. So he crossed the stream although it was difficult and dangerous.

But Grant was not one to grasp at power and position. He was very interested in the Army of the Potomac which was fighting Lee in the east. He saw that as the critical theater of war and would have loved to simply command a brigade there. When a friend suggested he apply for a transfer he declined. "In positions of great responsibility every one should do his duty to the best of his ability where assigned by competent authority, without application or the use of influence to change his position.... If I had sought the place or obtained it through personal or political influence, my belief is that I would have feared to undertake any plan of my own conception, and would probably have awaited direct orders from my distant superiors. Persons obtaining important commands by application or political influence are apt to keep a written record of complaints and predictions of defeat, which are shown in case of disaster. Somebody must be responsible for their failures."

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Friday, November 16, 2007

 

GRANT MEMOIRS - 4

CHARACTER AND SINGLE-MINDED FOCUS ON A GOAL - 3


Here are some other positive examples and quotes.

In one campaign General Hunter was being micro-managed from Washington - ordered here and then there to the point that he told Grant that he had lost all trace of the enemy. He said that obviously Washington did not have any confidence in him so it would be best to relieve him of command if they really wanted someone else in command. "He did not want in any way to embarrass the cause; thus showing a patriotism that was none too common in the army."

After Sheridan had accomplished great success in his assignment he wrote Grant recommending a reduction in his own forces in order to send them where they were more needed. This was very rare. Most commanders were always jealously guarding their fiefdom and asking for more troops.

Of Rutherford B. Hayes, who succeeded Grant as President, Grant wrote: "His conduct on the field was marked by conspicuous gallantry as well as the display of qualities of a higher order than that of mere personal daring. This might well have been expected of one who could write...'Any officer fit for duty who at this crisis would abandon his post to electioneer for a seat in Congress, ought to be scalped.'"

Pride vs. Humility: General Zachary Taylor led the army in the Mexican War. He "never made any great show or parade, either of uniform or retinue. In dress...rarely wearing anything in the field to indicate his rank, or even that he was an officer; but he was known to every soldier in his army, and was respected by all."


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Friday, November 09, 2007

 

GRANT MEMOIRS - 3

CHARACTER AND SINGLE-MINDED FOCUS ON A GOAL - 2


Then there were those who exemplified a weakness of character that deterred them from their goal. The pitfalls were usually some form of pride.

General Buell refused an assignment to duty because it would have placed him under Sherman and Canby whom he had outranked at one time. Grant commented, "The worst excuse a soldier can make for declining service is that he once ranked the commander he is ordered to report to."

It is known that Jefferson Davis had hoped to command the southern armies and considered himself a military strategist. Grant refers to one military move that was supposedly made due to Davis' insistence and commented, "On several occasions during the war he came to the relief of the Union army by means of his superior military genius." (emphasis in the original)

And there was Braxton Bragg who was quarrelsome and always looking for some slight or infringement on his rights and authority. "On one occasion...he was himself commanding one of the companies and at the same time acting as post quartermaster and commissary....As commander of the company he made a requisition upon the quartermaster--himself--for something he wanted.

"As quartermaster he declined to fill the requisition, and endorsed on the back of it his reasons for doing so. As company commander he responded to this, urging that his requisition called for nothing but what he was entitled to, and that it was the duty of the quartermaster to fill it. As quartermaster he still persisted that he was right.

"So Bragg then referred the whole matter to the commanding officer of the post who responded, 'Mr. Bragg, you have quarrelled with every officer in the army, and now you are quarrelling with yourself!'"



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Tuesday, November 06, 2007

 

GRANT MEMOIRS - 2

CHARACTER AND SINGLE-MINDED FOCUS ON THE GOAL - 1

Two huge issues in successful leadership are the matter of individual character and whether or not one is truly committed, single-mindedly, to the ultimate goal. Of course, these are not unrelated issues. Many of Grant's observations and anecdotes reveal both those who could be unselfish in devotion to the cause and those who too often were looking out for their own cause, i.e. personal reputation and advancement. It usually comes down to Pride vs. Humility. Here are some positive cases to emulate.

Early in the war Grant was laying siege to Fort Donelson. Sherman was sending him reinforcements and supplies. "At that time he was my senior in rank and there was no authority of law to assign a junior to command a senior of the same grade. But every boat that came up with supplies or reinforcements brought a note of encouragement from Sherman, asking me to call upon him for any assistance he could render and saying that if he could be of service at the front I might send for him and he would waive rank." Of course, later Grant commanded Sherman who served him faithfully in spite of the reversal of power that would have upset so many commanders.

At the battle of Chattanooga troops from different commands became very entangled. "There was no jealousy--hardly rivalry. Indeed I doubt whether officers or men took any note at the time of the fact of this intermingling of commands. All saw a defiant foe surrounding them, and took it for granted that every move was intended to dislodge him, and it made no difference where the troops came from so that the end was accomplished."

When Grant became overall commander of the Union armies, he superseded Meade who had been commanding the Army of the Potomac and had won the great victory at Gettysburg. As changes were being made, Meade thought that perhaps Grant would also want to put Sherman in his place in the east.

"If so, he begged me not to hesitate about making the change. He urged that the work before us was of such vast importance to the whole nation that the feeling or wishes of no one person should stand in the way of selecting the right men for all positions. For himself he would serve to the best of his ability wherever placed."

Grant's estimation of Meade increased significantly because of this attitude. In fact, Grant said that this impressed him more than Meade's victory at Gettysburg! "It is men who wait to be selected, and not those who seek, from whom we may always expect the most efficient service."
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Friday, November 02, 2007

 

THE PERSONAL MEMOIRS OF ULYSSES S. GRANT - 1

In 1885 Ulysses S. Grant published his memoirs. Not only does this work give detail and insight into the great cataclysm of the Civil War, it also gives insight into life and human nature. All lives are instructive whether in positive traits to imitate or in negative traits to avoid. But lives that are played out on the grand scale of historical significance offer such lessons in ways that more easily get our attention. In several upcoming entries I will share some insights, lessons and perhaps curiosities from this great memoir.

Grant was a leader. He did not seek the role, but the role found him. It found him because he had certain characteristics and because he learned how to lead. All leaders must face fear. Fear paralyzes and causes one to make poor decisions. Certainly leading in war and in a war in which the nation is a stake has the power to destroy leadership capability through fear. Grant knew fear and overcame it.

In the first few months of the Civil War Grant had his first experience in command. He led a regiment against a Colonel Harris and was practically unnerved. "As we approached the brow of the hill from which it was expected we could see Harris' camp, and possibly find his men ready formed to meet us, my heart kept getting higher and higher until it felt to me as though it was in my throat. I would have given anything to be back in Illinois."

This was not fear of battle for Grant had fought valiantly in Mexico. It was, rather, the burden of command. Leadership is a great responsibility.

However, when they topped the hill, "the marks of a recent encampment were plainly visible, but the troops were gone." And the lesson? "It occurred to me at once that Harris had been as much afraid of me as I had been of him. This was a view of the question I had never taken before; but it was one I never forgot afterwards. From that event to the close of the war, I never experienced trepidation upon confronting an enemy, though I always felt more or less anxiety. I never forgot that he had as much reason to fear my forces as I had his. The lesson was valuable."

Note that overcoming fear does not mean the task is easy or without anxiety. But fear never again got the upper hand with Grant.

Unfortunately that was not the case with many commanders. There was the repeated frustration due to commanders who either ignored orders or executed them entirely too slowly. This cost lives and lost battles. The loss of opportunities and the price of following a course of action too late, burdened Grant.

Of one commander Grant wrote "He could see every danger at a glance before he had encountered it." In other words, he was afraid to do anything because of possible danger. When Sheridan finally removed this commander from the field, Grant wrote "I was very sorry that it had to be done, and regretted still more that I had not long before taken occasion to assign him to another field of duty."

Another lesson. Don't wait too late to make corrections and put people in the place that is best for them to achieve success - even when it means hurt feelings.

Repeatedly he had commanders who thought in terms of "following Lee" while Grant had to keep reminding them that his goal was to "get ahead of Lee" get south of him and cut him off. Grant had no interest in simply following Lee.

The lesson: Be sure you understand clearly the ultimate, big-picture goal. We tend to let interim steps become our goal forgetting the real goal. Other commanders wanted to follow and contain Lee. Grant knew he had to be completely defeated.

Grant appointed Sheridan to control the Shenandoah Valley. The War department in Washington thought Sheridan was too young. Grant judged Sheridan on his ability and character, not his age.

He also allowed the man to do his job. Grant met with him having a plan of action in his pocket to instruct Sheridan. But when they met, Sheridan immediately drew out his own map and plans. Sheridan "was so clear and so positive in his views and so confident of success" Grant said nothing about his own plans "and did not take them out of my pocket." A good leader lets others do their job without insisting on one's own opinions.

After the war there was debate as to whether or not Sherman's "March to the Sea" had really been Sherman's plan, as he stated. Many thought it must have come from Grant. "The question...is easily answered: it was clearly Sherman, and to him also belongs the credit of its brilliant execution." Grant does deserve credit for totally supporting the idea (which was unprecedented up to that time) over the objections of all his staff and their efforts to have Washington stop it.

Lesson: a good leader allows others to think, plan and act offering whatever support is needed for them to succeed - and then allows them to receive credit and benefit for their work. Sometimes a leader leads from "underneath" or from the background and is never jealous of the growth and success of his subordinates. And sometimes one has to act counter to all conventional wisdom. The challenge, of course, is to know when to do that.

Finally, a lesson on criticism and perspective. Early in his career (the 1840's) Grant was part of the army to take Mexico City. He confessed he would have picked a different route than what was chosen. "But my later experience has taught me two lessons: first, that things are seen plainer after the events have occurred; second, that the most confident critics are generally those who know the least about the matter criticised (sic)."


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