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Essay On The Role Of Generals In The Civil War

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During the Civil War, many military positions existed, and each person who held them had their own take on the war itself. The generals of the Civil War were constantly stressed and harrowed, for they controlled the direction of the war, and their actions, views, and opinions influenced not only the soldiers around them in battle, but the superintendence of this country. Their tactics and strategies set up the next battle ahead of them and decided if their side, The North or The South, was winning the Civil War. It was their perspectives that influenced the majority of American citizens. Without generals, the Civil War could not have been fought. For generals, the war was especially stressful. It was their responsibility to ensure that their regiment of soldiers knew what they were supposed to do. There was a great deal of responsibility for generals. At times, generals were responsible for the lives of hundreds or even thousands of men. In a way, they were also responsible for the lives of every person in America. They didn’t know when the war was going to end. With communication being extremely delayed, the war could have ended at any minute, and they would not have known. It could take days, weeks, or even months for information to reach them, …show more content…
Lee. In a letter written in April of 1861, to General Philip St. George Cocke, he wrote that Cocke need to establish his headquarters quickly, and to instruct his troops with detailed instructions, as well as prepare them for supporting other regiments in near by battles (BSL, 506). It was important for troops to be ready at any moment. Surprise attacks could occur, or without warning, the war could shift very quickly. Generals made sure their soldiers were prepared at all times, regardless if they were ready or not. If generals were slow in their troop’s preparations, the war could get ugly for that General’s

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