Computer Problems and Fame

This is Steven Petrick posting.

We normally post using an PC which we call "Jack", but this post is being made from my office computer, "Klingon Empire". Jack, it seems, has developed a problem. Whenever you start it, it simply goes into a continuous start up loop.

So I am posting off of my office computer. We normally do not do this because there are apparently some connections between Macintosh computers and the blog system that do not work very well. We can get here, it just takes a bit more effort on our part.

I had intended, today, to talk about "fame".

In brief, there are probably very few who have come through the American school system who are not aware of General U.S. Grant, and General R.E. Lee, the two most notable commanders (one North, the other South) of the American Civil War.

Grant's fame rests ultimately on the simple fact that he could not admit to defeat as a General (although his private life was very much a disaster, and his Presidency not much better). He could be beaten, but he would always advance again. This ultimately led to his being paired off against General Lee, whose fame rests principally on his accomplishments with an Army that was always out numbered. Until Grant came along, Lee was always able to administer a significant defeat on the Union forces opposed to him, which would percipitate a withdrawal northwards. Grant would not withdraw. No matter how much Lee succeeded in bloodying the Army of the Potomac, Grant would simply slip around Lee's flank and continue advancing.

The battle between these two titans tends to draw the most interest.

Union General Sherman is remembered for his "March to the Sea", but how many remember that his opponent on his was Confederate General Joe Johnston?

Of course, not all Confederate Generals were born in the South. General Pemberton, who tried to hold Vicksburg was northern born, and if he is remembered at all is remembered as the man who surrendered Vicksburg to Grant.

Not all Union Generals were born in the North either. Consider General Thomas, who would be ostracized from his Virginia family for choosing the North over the South. How many of you remember "The Rock of Chickamauga"? When, after Union General Rosecrans fled the field at the battle of Chickamauga, it was Thomas who held Snodgrass Hill and prevented Confederate General Bragg from converting his tactical victory into a complete smashing success.

Thomas would go on to virtually destroy Hood's Confederate Army outside of Nashville (admittedly he was helped in this by Hood's desperate hope that Thomas' attack would be a failure allowing Hood to then counterattack and take the city).

But how many remember Thomas? In fact, but for Grant's participation in some actions in that theater (Forts Donelson and Henry, Shiloh, Vicksburg, the relief of Chatanooga) the Armies and Generals who fought in the west are largely forgotten (Like Union Generals Buell and Rosecrans, or Confederate Generals Bragg and Beauregard). The battles were no less critical, the men fought no less hard, but to this day fame rests principally on Lee and Grant, and the rest are forgotten.