A Strategic Warfighting Study of the Civil War
Abstract
The American Civil War is a superb warfighting study. Generally considered a turning point in the history of warfare, many of the traditional Napoleonic principles of war were discarded by Civil War generals and replaced with strategy and tactics still valid to the warrior of 1990. For example, the maneuver and speed of turning movements replaced Napoleonic frontal assaults while the advantage of the tactical defensive was repeatedly validated. This study analyzes four key campaigns in the Civil War to include Chancellorsville, the Peninsular Campaign, Chickamauga, and Vicksburg to determine what principles of war proved successful for the victor and, equally important, what mistakes proved disastrous for the loser. It is through the lessons of history that each generation learns what brings success or failure to the field of battle.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA234540
Entities
People
- Thomas N. Chapman
Organizations
- Air War College