We ask, and expect, a great deal of our presidents. While we demand they be civilians — at least while they are serving as president — they must also be commander in chief of all the armed forces of the United States.
This has great significance and importance because the civilian president actually is part — indeed he is at the top — of what the military calls "the chain of command." He issues orders, salutes and is saluted and makes ultimate military decisions. He either himself formulates — with any help he can exploit — or he must approve of, whatever strategy is employed. He is responsible for approving the selection of all the top generals and admirals.
He must work well with a multitude of people, sometimes with individuals whose personalities clash or are disharmonious with his own. And all the while that he is accomplishing this he must also inspire the troops as well as lead the people at home. According to Thomas A. Bailey, who made a study of presidential greatness, "The American people admire a chieftain who can command their allegiance, unite the sections, placate factions in Congress, inspire them to greater patriotism, and arouse them with a challenge that will appeal to their better selves."[1] All of this, Abraham Lincoln did to an exemplary degree.
When Lincoln became president, he was but a rank amateur in military affairs; however, the crisis of the Civil War made it crucial that he learn about such things. And to his great credit, this he did, efficiently and well.
Lincoln mastered conventional 19th century military strategy.[2] He came to understand, and learned how to interact with the better thinking of West Point trained officers. He, and these generals, insightfully analyzed operations, believed — correctly — in the superiority of the defensive over the offensive and saw in turningPage
