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The Civil War was won by Grant, who incurred casualties as necessary so long as he inflicted equivalent casualties on the Confederates.

Contrast that with McClellan and others who were reluctant to incur casualties and were ineffective.

The objective of generals is to win battles and wars, not to ensure that everyone comes home.

[ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas]

“Do you have a lame horse you want to trade, Johnny Reb.”
“What do you want with a lame horse, Billy Yank?” comes the reply.
“As a good trade for General Burnside,” the Union soldier says
From the film Gods and Generals
Lincoln chose some poor commanders until he found Grant.