"Old Wady's Coming": The Military Career of Brigadier General James S. Wadsworth by John F. Krumwiede.184 pp., hc, dj, Index, Illus., Maps.

"Old Waddy's Coming" : The Military Career of Brigadier Gen. James S. Wadworth by John F. Krumwiede

At the mention of James Wadsworth, one probably visualizes an elderly, millionaire farmer from New York who secured a brigadier's commission because of his Radical Republican connections. Wadsworth's lack of military training, combined with his "controversial" performances at Gettysburg and in the Wilderness, have resulted in him being dismissed as one of Lincoln's inept, political generals. Does he deserve this verdict? The men who served under him would not agree. When studying the units that served under Wadsworth, one common theme runs through all the regimental histories, articles, and speeches; officers and enlisted men alike willingly accepted him as their commander. He was very successful in gaining his troops' loyalty and affection. This did not result from either lax discipline or a tendency to shirk difficult assignments. They respected his desire to do what was right and appreciated Wadsworth's ongoing concern for their comfort. George Meade felt that he had "an influence over the soldiers which few men possess." The Army of the Potomac's corps commanders would not agree. The best measure of Wadsworth's military competence was receiving a divisional command in March 1864 when other general officers were either being shelved or given smaller commands. U.S. Grant had a free hand to reorganize the Army of the Potomac as he saw fit and Grant approved Wadsworth's posting to the Fifth Corps' Fourth Division. Winfield Scott Hancock later stated that it was based on merit and not politics. The esteem that Major General Warren, Hancock, and Sedgwick held for him as a soldier was demonstrated when all three corps commanders asked to have Wadsworth assigned as a division commander.