[exmarine]

Forrest was a brilliant calvary commander. Hood's attack at Franklin was stupid - it was a miracle they came as close as they did. In the process, Cleburne was killed - the best division commander in the southern army. Hood and all others who refused to discard the frontal assault doctrine were bad leaders. That is precisely why the best generals of the Civil War used maneuver warfare: Lee, Jackson, Forrest, Sherman. Note that Sherman just kept going around Johnston's army on the way to Atlanta? That is what Hood should have done at Franklin - go around. Their mistake was not putting Forrest in charge of the entire army at that point. He was the best commander they had at that time, although I believe Taylor could also have done a good job because, unlike Hood, he learned from his experiences.

[WhiskeyPapa]

Note that Sherman just kept going around Johnston's army on the way to Atlanta? That is what Hood should have done at Franklin - go around.

Well, I think the theory of flanking like that requires a numerical superiority that both Grant and Sherman had. You are exposing part of your force to defeat in detail when you flank. That part has got to be big enough to defend if the guy on overall defense counterattacks.

Davis was frustrated because Johnston kept falling back towards Atlanta when Sherman flanked him out of successive positions. But you have to give Sherman some credit too. Every one of his flanking maneuvers had to be done just right, or he could get a bad bloody nose.

I don't think you can say that Hood should have done that sort of thing, when the army in front of his is larger than his.

Walt