American Civil War Game Club (ACWGC)

http://phys.org/news/2012-06-lack-common-strategy-longer-bloodier.html

MG Elkin AotT

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I have come to you from the West, where we have always seen the backs of our enemies. . . . Let us look before us, and not behind

I thought Scott's anaconda strategy was being followed with the successful sea blockade and the capture of the Mississippi river. I believe there was an Operational failure with the Eastern ground forces. McClellan was probably the best general the South could have wished for. He hated Scott and forced him out.

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Gen. Drex Ringbloom,
AotS ,Commanding

Both sides suffered from politics. The South came out a little better because it always had a warrior mentality and may of its leaders were academy trained (West Point, VMI, etc.). They also got lucky and got a military genius and were also lucky in Pres. Davis actually recognized Lee as one. The North got McClellon who talked the talk but walked bow legged. Unfortunately, for the South they pretty much used up their luck with Lee. In the West politic ruled.

What is surprising is neither side put together an effective command structure or army staff even though both were widely used in Europe.

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General Kennon Whitehead
Chatham Grays
AoT II/1/3 (CSA)

yes, Scott was actually against any organization above the Brigade level. What was good for the Mexican war was goood for 1861. Unfortunately he did not recognize that the size of the forces would be many times that needed in Mexico. That's one of the reasons Mcclellan had his supporters force Scott to retire.

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Gen. Drex Ringbloom,
AotS ,Commanding