Lincoln and His Generals

A detailed Summary of Lincoln and His Generals

Book Report: Lincoln and His Generals

Harry T. Williams was born on May 19, 1909. When in college, he was encouraged by a professor to study history. This professors main interest was the Civil War era and had a great effect on Williams. He attended Platteville State Teachers College (later Wisconsin State University at Platteville) where he received a B.Ed in 1931. Williams continued education into graduate school was mainly due to the lack of work during the Great Depression. He went on to earn a Ph.M. in 1932, and Ph.D. in 1937, from the University of Wisconsin (Dawson 431).

Lincoln and His Generals was the breakthrough book for Williams who had only written one book previously. This book provided him with many national and local acclaims. He book was on the best seller list, he received rave reviews in national publications, and scholarly awards where he was teaching at the time, L.S.U. He would go on to become a very respected writer during his forty-year career. He would also win the Pulitzer Prize in 1970 for his book Huey Long (437).

Williams main theme in Lincoln and His Generals is about the Civil War being the first modern war and Lincoln's function in the position of Presi

Grant, that some of the other Generals start feeling unattended to (336). Lincoln becomes understanding and does his job of keeping the big picture of the war in mind by soothing the bruised egos. Williams has done wonders showing Lincoln as one devoid of any ego. This is one of the subtle tones of the passages, but yet always make the reader draw this inference. I found this subtle reiteration very well timed and placed. There are numerous instances wherein the Generals are depicted as immature and frightened, and Lincoln as the strong pillar of faith.

Williams portrays Lincoln in a very positive light, allowing the reader to realize the greatness of

Williams shows an interesting side of Lincoln's patience that wears thin when there are no early victories and from the lack of aggressiveness on the Union side. Williams shows a gradual transformation on Lincoln's selection process. Initially each general was selected on characteristics such as battle experience and political backing. As the enemy holds out and there is inaction, Lincoln starts to doubt the ability of his generals and starts to seek generals who can win without excuses.

Williams, T. Harry. Lincoln and His Generals. New York: Dorset Press, 1952.

tells us that even if the selection was for political reasons, Lincoln had the 'national cohesion' in mind. It appears that control was an important factor in Lincoln's selections, however, Williams continually argues that if Lincoln had had generals who were more competent he would not have interfered as much. In Lincoln, one sees a willing amateur, one who had the ability to bring out the best in some men, and also learn from them (Williams 11).

Lincoln is painted as an intelligent maverick, a great statesman, and yet human enough to make mistakes and feel discouragement. Williams also shows us a despondent side of Lincoln; when McClellan was sick and resources were low, Lincoln confides in his Quartermaster General Meigs, about the futile future (269). Williams constantly points out Lincoln's strategic planning abilities against the fact that Lincoln had never had any formal training in war. I believe Williams does this due to fact that Lincoln's Westpoint educated generals had such large personalities and egos as compared to a simple yet assertive Lincoln. This allows the reader to tru

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Approximate Word count = 1581
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History