260 The American Civil WarA hero in the Mexican War Confederate President
Jefferson Davis designed a sensible strategy for the
Confederacy. Unfortunately, he never found a commander
in the Western Theater to match Robert E. Lee in the east
(Ann Ronan Picture Library)
army had come to symbolize the viability of
the rebellion, and until Grant vanquished
the Army of Northern Virginia, the revolt
would continue. At the same time, Grant
knew that he could not endure the endless
distractions of life in the nation's capital.
As his solution, Grant formulated a novel
command structure. To avoid the continual
barrage of visitors and to oversee the
operations of the Union forces against Lee's
troops, he elected to travel alongside the
Army of the Potomac. There, he could
observe and, if necessary, supervise the
army and its generals directly, while leaving
Major-General George G. Meade in
command. At the same time, he could
remain relatively close to the political
epicenter, Washington, DC. To handle
everyday military affairs, Grant would retain
former commanding general Halleck under a
new title, chief of staff. A superb staff officer,
Halleck would be Grant's connection to
various field commanders, summarizing their
messages and relaying them to Grant for
decisions and instructions. Occasionally,
Halleck would issue orders or advise field
commanders on his own. In the shake-up,
Sherman replaced Grant as head of the
Military Division of the Mississippi. Trusted
subordinate McPherson took charge of the
Army of the Tennessee, Sherman's
old command.
The Confederates, too, underwent a
command change. With Bragg's resignation.
Jefferson Davis needed a new army
commander, someone in whom the soldiers
had faith. Hardee agreed to act as
commander until the President secured
someone, but he would not do it
permanently. Hardee proposed Joe Johnston.
Davis's old friend, Polk, also suggested
Johnston, as did Robert E. Lee. Although
Davis still harbored resentments for
Johnston's failure in Mississippi, he had little
choice. It was either him or Beauregard, and
Davis opted for the lesser evil, Johnston.Banks's Red River operation
Because of French presence in Mexico, a
desire to seize valuable cotton, and a distant
hope to secure complete control of Louisiana
and to begin the reconstruction process, in
spring 1864, Lincoln called for an expedition
under Banks up the Red River. Banks would
march overland to Alexandria, Louisiana,
where he would link with 10,000 veterans
from the Army of Tennessee under Major-
General A. J. Smith, whom McPherson
would loan temporarily. Their goal was
Shreveport. Admiral Porter with an
assortment of ironclads and gunboats
accompanied Smith. In addition,
Major-General Frederick Steele would march
from Little Rock, Arkansas, with another
15,000. To oppose this force, the
Confederates had some 15,000 men under
Major-General Richard Taylor, Davis's former
brother-in-law and one of Stonewall
Jackson's old brigade commanders.