Lincoln as Commander in Chief

[LincolnMan]

It wasn't lack of nerve; wasn't it tactics on Lee's part?

[JMadonna]

It was lack of numbers. Grant had a 2-1 advantage over Lee in the Overland Campaign. Lee gave up ground for time hoping for Lincoln's election defeat.

[LincolnMan]

That's actually what I meant Jerry-but you said it better. I don't think Lee lacked nerve-he lack troops (as you said).

[Hess1865]

Before the Overland Campaign began, Grant came across a group of his aides discussing Lee.
Grant looked at them and said, "Stop wondering what Lee is going to do with us, and start thinking about what we are going to do to Lee"
That statement has aways made me think Grant wanted to meet RE Lee on an open field, regardless of Lee's troop strength.
Remember, both Grant and Lee suffered almost the same casulty rates during that blood bath of a campaign, so Lee's forces weren't that outnumbered.