Cump,
I was going to reply to Kieth's post, but it looks as if you have already. The difference between the eastern army and the western army was really different. I agree the leadership in the east left something to be desired where as the western army was better lead and as for the troops, in my opinion they were much more able. Like the southern men who were farm boys for the most part, so were the boys from the midwest. The difference in my opinion was that the blue boys had more to work with in terms of arms and supply's, etc. I think that made a big difference.