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Re: Jeff Davis's capture
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Doyle,

I'm probably a little influenced by Bill Shea's great book on Pea Ridge. In this book and other sources, Curtis is portrayed as an effective leader who was not as well connected or as politically adept as was his department commander, John Schofield.

In spite of Van Dorn's shortcomings, and they were legion, Curtis' response and ultimate victory at Pea Ridge looks a lot to me like Lee's victory at Chancellorsville, just on a smaller scale. I believe Curtis might have been a more important figure had he not suffered under the jealous manipulation of Schofield.

I mean, Pope parleyed his victory at Island No. 10, into command of the Army of Virginia. Grant turned a draw or loss into command of the Army of the Tennessee. Curtis received no such rewards for Pea Ridge and subsequently the taking of Helena, AR. Apparently, he got crosswise with the governor of Missouri because he was a virulent abolitionist. Huh? Of course, he also participated in successful campaign to remove Price from Missouri in 1864.

I think the North could have done worse than Sam Curtis as an army or corps commander.

I'm glad you liked my other choices. I have more! You'd probably be surprised as the Confederate generals I admire, as well. At least a few of them. For instance, I think Richard Taylor was one of the great overlooked commanders. Who knows how different the result might have been had a Jeff Davis, in my opinion a consummate meddler, appointed Taylor to command of the Army of Tennessee, rather than, Hood. Could Taylor have carried off a much larger version of Mansfield against Sherman's forces? Who knows?

Jim

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Jeff Davis's capture
Re: Jeff Davis's capture
That is correct. *NM*
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Re: Jeff Davis's capture
Re: Jeff Davis's capture