Siege Of Vicksburg Essay

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The American Civil War was one of the deadliest wars that the United States has ever been a part of. It is estimated that from 752,000 to 851,000 soldiers died during the American Civil War.(Encyclopedia Britannica, 2023). The bloodshed caused by the numerous battles during the war forged many unique leadership styles. One of the most major and complex battles that occurred during the American Civil War was the Siege of Vicksburg. The Siege of Vicksburg took place from May to July of 1863 and was a key turning point in the American Civil War. During the Siege of Vicksburg there were generals from the Confederacy and the Union planning how to successfully defend or seize the city. General John A. McClerand was one of those generals on the side of the Union. Vicksburg was a crucial city to control for the Union so that they might secure the Mississippi River. Without Vicksburg it would be difficult to …show more content…

Innovative leaders prevent complacency by finding new ways to challenge subordinates with alternative approaches and ideas.(ADP 6-22). However, Major General McClerand also had traits that were negative when it comes to the leadership attributes and competencies. During the siege of Vicksburg, McClernand led a bloody but ultimately unsuccessful assault against the entrenchments, after which he once again wrote a congratulatory order to his men that greatly angered Sherman and General James B. McPherson. This order was then published in the newspapers, which broke the rules established by the War Department. This breach of conduct was just what Grant needed to finally remove McClernand from command.(American Battlefield Trust, 2018). This shows that Major General McClerand lacked sound judgment which is a major leadership attribute. He would have known that publishing information in the newspapers went against the War Department’s protocols and therefore shows that he lacked sound

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