Taming The Tar Heel Department: D.H. Hill And The Challenges Of Operational-Level Command During The American Civil War

Nonfiction, History, Modern, 19th Century, Americas, United States, Civil War Period (1850-1877), Military
Cover of the book Taming The Tar Heel Department: D.H. Hill And The Challenges Of Operational-Level Command During The American Civil War by Major Brit K. Erslev, Golden Springs Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Major Brit K. Erslev ISBN: 9781786255860
Publisher: Golden Springs Publishing Publication: November 6, 2015
Imprint: Golden Springs Publishing Language: English
Author: Major Brit K. Erslev
ISBN: 9781786255860
Publisher: Golden Springs Publishing
Publication: November 6, 2015
Imprint: Golden Springs Publishing
Language: English

The purpose of this monograph is to identify skills and capabilities required by commanders to excel at the operational level of war and in the practice of operational art. The author evaluated the performance of Confederate Major General Daniel Harvey Hill in his role as a department commander during the American Civil War. Department commanders were responsible for sequencing tactical operations to support the accomplishment of their government’s strategic objectives but received little guidance on how to fulfill their missions. The monograph concludes that twenty first century American military officers in similar command positions must be able to make decisions given ambiguous guidance and a fluid operational environment, be creative and active in developing innovative techniques to better understand the operational environment, and be able to craft holistic campaign plans that go beyond offensive and defensive operations.
An examination of Hill’s tenure as commander of the Confederate Department of North Carolina from February to July 1863 found that he was uncomfortable translating discretionary orders into action, he was unable to adequately visualize his operational environment, and he did not construct a coherent campaign plan to accomplish disparate missions and support Confederate strategic aims. Some of Hill’s struggles were due to the inability of the Confederate high command to articulate strategic priorities, the actions of the Union forces, and lack of experience in higher level commands. Previous tactical-level experiences in the war made Hill more cautious about committing force when presented with ambiguous situations and in his capacity as department commander he did not grasp his responsibility to provide recommendations to strategic-level decision makers regarding force disposition and types of combat operations.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The purpose of this monograph is to identify skills and capabilities required by commanders to excel at the operational level of war and in the practice of operational art. The author evaluated the performance of Confederate Major General Daniel Harvey Hill in his role as a department commander during the American Civil War. Department commanders were responsible for sequencing tactical operations to support the accomplishment of their government’s strategic objectives but received little guidance on how to fulfill their missions. The monograph concludes that twenty first century American military officers in similar command positions must be able to make decisions given ambiguous guidance and a fluid operational environment, be creative and active in developing innovative techniques to better understand the operational environment, and be able to craft holistic campaign plans that go beyond offensive and defensive operations.
An examination of Hill’s tenure as commander of the Confederate Department of North Carolina from February to July 1863 found that he was uncomfortable translating discretionary orders into action, he was unable to adequately visualize his operational environment, and he did not construct a coherent campaign plan to accomplish disparate missions and support Confederate strategic aims. Some of Hill’s struggles were due to the inability of the Confederate high command to articulate strategic priorities, the actions of the Union forces, and lack of experience in higher level commands. Previous tactical-level experiences in the war made Hill more cautious about committing force when presented with ambiguous situations and in his capacity as department commander he did not grasp his responsibility to provide recommendations to strategic-level decision makers regarding force disposition and types of combat operations.

More books from Golden Springs Publishing

Cover of the book The Use Of The Virginia Military Institute Corps Of Cadets As A Military Unit by Major Brit K. Erslev
Cover of the book William Tecumseh Sherman: The Growth Of A Strategist by Major Brit K. Erslev
Cover of the book John Bell Hood: A Bid For Fame by Major Brit K. Erslev
Cover of the book Forty-Six Years In The Army [Illustrated Edition] by Major Brit K. Erslev
Cover of the book White Snow, Bright Snow by Major Brit K. Erslev
Cover of the book Tom Watson by Major Brit K. Erslev
Cover of the book Towards An American Army by Major Brit K. Erslev
Cover of the book Inside Lincoln’s Cabinet; The Civil War Diaries Of Salmon P. Chase by Major Brit K. Erslev
Cover of the book Reminiscences Of The Civil War And Other Sketches by Major Brit K. Erslev
Cover of the book Ambrose Bierce’s Civil War by Major Brit K. Erslev
Cover of the book A Lieutenant Of Cavalry In Lee’s Army by Major Brit K. Erslev
Cover of the book Battle Of Antietam, Staff Ride Guide [Illustrated Edition] by Major Brit K. Erslev
Cover of the book German Observations And Evaluations Of The US Civil War: A Study In Lessons Not Learned by Major Brit K. Erslev
Cover of the book Face Facts America! by Major Brit K. Erslev
Cover of the book Inside The Confederate Government: The Diary Of Robert Garlick Kean by Major Brit K. Erslev
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy