Lincoln and His Generals by T. Harry Williams

Lincoln and His Generals by T. Harry Williams

Harry T. Williams was born on May 19, 1909. When in college, he was encouraged by a professor to study history. This professor's main interest was the Civil War era and had a great effect on Williams. He attended Platteville State Teachers College (later Wisconsin State University at Platteville) where he received a B.Ed in 1931. Williams continued education into graduate school was mainly due to the lack of work during the Great Depression. He went on to earn a Ph.M. in 1932, and Ph.D. in 1937, from the University of Wisconsin (Dawson 431).

Lincoln and His Generals was the breakthrough book for Williams who had only written one book previously. This book provided him with many national and local acclaims. He book was on the best seller list, he received rave reviews in national publications, and scholarly awards where he was teaching at the time, L.S.U. He would go on to become a very respected writer during his forty-year career. He would also win the Pulitzer Prize in 1970 for his book Huey Long (437).

Williams main theme in Lincoln and His Generals is about the Civil War being the first modern war and Lincoln’s function in the position of President. He introduces the state of the Union army as one that has no shape to it. This includes the lack of any plan of attack, as the thought of war had not been translated into any type of scheme. The armies lacked organization and communication, and existing qualified generals were old and inept. The first task that Lincoln had was the immediate selection of Generals. Lincoln’s selection process was sometimes based on political and personal grounds, and he was in the position of selecting from a pool of generals that had no experience leading a large army. Williams tells us that even if the selection was for political reasons, Lincoln had the ‘national cohesion’ in mind. It appears that control was an important factor in Lincoln’s selections, however, Williams continually argues that if Lincoln had had generals who were more competent he would not have interfered as much. In Lincoln, one sees a willing amateur, one who had the ability to bring out the best in some men, and also learn from them (Williams 11).

Williams gives us insight into Lincoln’s thought process into who Lincoln really was. Williams superbly supports this with various examples and...

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...of Grant, that some of the other Generals start feeling unattended to (336). Lincoln becomes understanding and does his job of keeping the big picture of the war in mind by soothing the bruised egos. Williams has done wonders showing Lincoln as one devoid of any ego. This is one of the subtle tones of the passages, but yet always make the reader draw this inference. I found this subtle reiteration very well timed and placed. There are numerous instances wherein the Generals are depicted as immature and frightened, and Lincoln as the strong pillar of faith.

Williams portrays Lincoln in a very positive light, allowing the reader to realize the greatness of Lincoln, in his compassion, strategy, statesmanship and lack of ego. Williams has provided numerous instances wherein he provides ample support to his arguments and facts. In spite of the unnecessary detail and verbosity that Williams sometimes uses, there is no doubt that this book is a remarkable insight into Lincoln’s persona.

Works Cited

Dawson, Joseph G. III. “T. Harry Williams.” Dictionary of American Biography. Vol. 17, 431-446

Williams, T. Harry. Lincoln and His Generals. New York: Dorset Press, 1952.