Robert E. Lee-- Part 5: Winfield Scott and Lincoln

Both Winfield Scott and General Wool were quite elderly when the war began.  Winfield Scott had been in the War of 1812.

Lee had been in command of troops at Harpers Ferry when John Brown attacked because he was senior officer present.  JEB Stuart also there.

One task Lincoln gave Scott was to escort Mary Todd Lincoln to New York City to prevent her from spending too much money.

Scott recommended Lee to be commander of U.S. forces.  Lincoln accepted the recommendation and made Lee an offer which Lee turned down because of loyalty to his state, Virginia.

Scott  came up with the Anaconda Plan to defeat the South by carving it up and setting a blockade off its coasts.

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Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis.  Davis had an extensive military background and Lincoln didn't.  Davis backed his commanding generals regardless of performance.  Lincoln did not.  They had different perspectives on their generals.

--Old Secesh

This Week in the Civil War

From AP's This Week in the Civil War.

Taking a look at the upcoming events taking place 150 years ago.

WEEK OF OCTOBER 23RD:

The Transcontinental telegraph was completed coast-to-coast. The last part between Nebraska and Nevada finished and now direct contact between the two oceans. The telegraph revolutinized warfare.

You don't hear much about the use in naval affairs, but I'm sure it was.

WEEK OF OCTOBER 30TH:

Commander of the US Army, General Winfield Scott, retired because of age and infirmity. It was his plan to blockade the Confederacy and cut it into parts along rivers that became known as Scott's Anaconda Plan.

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 6TH:

The Battle of Port Royal gave the Union a really important base between Charleston and Savannah.

And, real soon, there was the Trent Affair on the 7th.

Lots Going On Along the Naval Front. --Old B-Runner