As a Lame Cherry exclusive in matter anti matter.
I have focused a bit on the little things making the difference in life by the example of preparation.
General Philip Sheridan was an organizer not by calling, but by being stuck with the paperwork while in the American northwest and then by necessity in the military operations of the Missouri in getting supplies to the Soldiers of the Union and doing so without stealing from the local farmers.
In the winter campaign of 1863, Sheridan had provided for his Soldiers with a supply wagon. The problem being the acting General, named Foster who had replaced Burnside, confiscated the stores and distributed them to the entire Army of the Cumberland.
Yes have 100 Soldiers shod in each group, instead of one entire division in fully fighting capability due to preparation in meeting Confederate General, Longstreet.
General Sheridan immediately sent his supply train back for shoes, clothing and tents as the eastern mountains of America are cold, wet and bitter in winter.
His quartermaster, Captain Philip Smith had the right allegeance, deviance and Americanism to care for his division as upon receiving the supplies, he stuffed the sides of his wagons with fodder for the animals, so it looked every bit a supply train for horses and cattle.
The strategy worked and the supply train was not even noticed.
All of these officers should have and could have done exactly what Phil Sheridan was engaged in before winter, and after his stores were confiscated, and yet the military was offered up the same bloody feet as Washington in Valley Forge.
General Washington's problem was Congress not offering supply and the Union Army's problem was lack of attention by the Generals to supply their exposed Soldiers as you know they were in a snug headquarters sleeping in warm beds.
The military's own worst enemy is it's own government and it's own shiftless officers. Nothing ever changes in that.
agtG
