[ftd quoting] In addition, the suppression of the New York newspapers, censorship of the mails and telegraphs, Fremont’s draconian measures and martial law established in Missouri, and the trial by a military commission of the Indianapolis defendants were all cases of an administration and military run amuck, exercising dubious authority at best.[18]Why not just say, "When good things happened, he was in total control and deserves all credit... when bad things happened, his incompetence allowed him to be used by others?" Why are incompetence and stupidity a valid defense?
Being President, one does not allows have total control of all events.
Jefferson Davis knew this very well also.