Sears' McClellan

Kelly Richter (U59611@UICVM.BITNET)
Fri, 8 Oct 1993 21:23:30 ECT

I've just finished Sears' biography of "Little Mac" and wonder if
anyone else on the list feels he was a bit harsh on the man, especially
his criticism of Mac's reticence to chase Bobby Lee through the gates
of hell ? It seems to me that contemporaries and historians alike are
subject to what I call the "Annihilation Syndrome," i.e., that somehow
it was possible for any commander of any army to pull off a military victory
that would annihilate his foes' army and thus win the war. Lincoln was
subject to it, Lee also, and to a degree Grant, although Grant realized
early in 1864 Virginia campaign that, not an annihilation battle, but an
ultimately annihilating campaign of attrition was the answer.

Question: Is Sears' right in his criticism of McClellan?

Kelly Richter U59611@UICVM