I am reminded of a news report filed by Boston Journal Army Correspondent Charles Carleton Coffin on December 9, days before the Union attack at Fredericksburg, Virginia, in which Coffin noted that from his position near Chatham in which General Sumner had his headquarters, Coffin could hear the Confederates working hard on the defensive positions and he could see the locomotives delivering reinforcements. He concluded that an attack directly across the Rappahannock River at the town of Fredericksburg would be a folly of immense proportions and the Union Army would have to find another plan. Of course, they didn't.
When the staff is too wedded to their plan they surrender the initiative, even if they are on the offense, because they do otherwise than what they have planned.
I'd argue there is a connection to the Civil War battle. Lincoln was pushing Burnside to attack no matter what. Burnside was totally committed to attacking at Fredericksburg. This surrendered the initiative because Lee, knowing Burnside had to attack in one of a limited number of places, could choose where to defend.
I am reminded of a news report filed by Boston Journal Army Correspondent Charles Carleton Coffin on December 9, days before the Union attack at Fredericksburg, Virginia, in which Coffin noted that from his position near Chatham in which General Sumner had his headquarters, Coffin could hear the Confederates working hard on the defensive positions and he could see the locomotives delivering reinforcements. He concluded that an attack directly across the Rappahannock River at the town of Fredericksburg would be a folly of immense proportions and the Union Army would have to find another plan. Of course, they didn't.
I didn’t know that! What a funny coincidence! I am planning to rewrite this piece and I will include this story. Thanks!
When the staff is too wedded to their plan they surrender the initiative, even if they are on the offense, because they do otherwise than what they have planned.
I'd argue there is a connection to the Civil War battle. Lincoln was pushing Burnside to attack no matter what. Burnside was totally committed to attacking at Fredericksburg. This surrendered the initiative because Lee, knowing Burnside had to attack in one of a limited number of places, could choose where to defend.