You're right Pete....and I don't underestimate either Joe or Albert Sidney, but like many Confederate commanders they were somewhat trapped by the "generalship" of Davis and not their own. Both had the respect of their counterparts and neither dishonored himself in the manner of, say Bragg. Both Presidents had relationships with their field commanders which colored the way they operated in the field. I think though that Davis, being more militarily trained (although perhaps not as strategically savvy as Lincoln), tended to view the fieldwork thinking, "I could have done better." Maybe that's not true, but its hard not to get that sense. In Lee, he obviously saw something different, but for the rest I think he felt superior. I dunno'....Could be wrong.....often am.

I never had the pleasure of hearing from the "horse's mouth" either, but my grandfather talked often of his uncle, Lamphear Pittis, who served with the 125th O.V.I. out of Harrison/Muskingum/Licking Counties.

Spaw