Grant certainly changed the face of warfare in many ways.

I like those thoughts Leej. Probably a lot of truth and the engineering angle can be seen on many occasions with the Army of the Potomac when all advantages were forsaken while ___________(insert General's name here) waited for mortars or bridges or whatever. You saw this same thing happen in Confederate armies as well. I think of Bragg (an idiot with clusters) failing to follow up after Chickamauga and being roundly thrashed later at Chattanooga.

I think there were a few very notable exceptions to that angle though, but they, like Lee, were men a cut above the rest. Certainly "Pete" Longstreet was one and also George Thomas. I doubt anyone reacted better when thrust into a defensive role as George Thomas. Longstreet may have been the true master of taking the initiative and exploiting the mistakes of others (when he had the chance). These two figures, operating at their best, is what makes Chickamauga such an entertaining battle to study.

Spaw