Not only did they do nothing, they worked to hold donw those who did! The skills to rise to the top of a peacetime military were certainly NOT the skills needed to rise to the top of a wartime military! The Army of the Potomac certainly proved that, prior to US Grant's rise. The Federal victory was NOT simply a matter of Northern might, power and resources. Grant built a wining military AND political strategy, and was effective (not flawless) at directing its execution.