Military Leadership in the Union Armies Term Paper

Military Leadership in the Union Armies - Term Paper Example The battle continued for four years from year 1861 to 1865 and then ended with the surrender of the Confederate and outlawed slavery throughout the Country.1 Union party was served by more than 2.2 million military men, whereas approx 1.4 million people fought from Confederate side. The military personnel had gained professional military education and worked under the leadership of officers from diverse backgrounds. These military officers were professionally trained West Pointers, businesses persons and political officials. Initially confederate had strong leadership, but Union had led by poor commanders. Later on, Union replaced such officials and employed adept and potential military men who had command experience, thereby brought victory to the Union.2 This paper analyzes battlefield strategy and leadership of Military officials in Union Army which led the forces to defeat Confederate men. The US Civil War never faced shortfall of enthusiasm because many young people wanted to jo in the army in 1861. All these people volunteered because they were excited to fight in defense of the Union military force, in anticipation of quick promotions as lead by their experience. The trouble created in the process of volunteering was a severe lack of leadership, planning and organization at the loftiest levels.3 The American Civil War supplied a multitude of commanders and sensible comparison amid battle conditions and issues. The Union military army had a specific requirement for efficacious armed combat commanders during the Civil War and those commanders and officers were essentially needed to be specifically educated and well trained to lead the people in war which would in turn defend and uphold the new nation. This unique need was realized and understood by government and politicians, so they made efforts for military training.4 Though, all military leaders had not developed through gaining formal military education and training. Many cells of professional officials were formed by the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis and the United States Military Academy at West Point. These cells were comprised of professional military officers who had complete knowledge of military science so as to create an intense impact on the demeanor of the American Civil War. Throughout the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln was the President of United States and at the same time served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Union armed forces, the highest-ranking military officer .5 The military personnel had the authority to elect the junior officers, whereas the state governors nominated the senior officers, and the President Lincoln nominated the generals.6 The significant military leaders for the Union army included Ulysses S. Grant, William T. Sherman, George B. McClellan, George Meade, John C. Fremont, Ambrose Burnside, Joseph Hooker, Irvin McDowell, and Winfield Scott.7 This paper throws light especially on the role played by Generals George B. McClellan, Ulysses S. Grant, George Meade, and William T. Sherman. During the American Civil War, George Brinton McClellan was a major general. He served as the general-in-chief of the Union Army for a short period from November 1861 to March 1862, and coordinated the renowned Army of the Potomac. In the beginning of the war, McClellan’s attempts for raising a well-trained and devised army for the Union had been very important. Peninsula Campaign initiated by McClellan in 1862 got failed, as his army receded due to