1863 On Command: An Illustrative Study Of Command And Control In The Army Of Northern Virginia

A key element in the practice of operational art is the command and control senior leaders employ to direct their forces in battle. This command and control encompasses not only the vision the commander has for the attainment of his campaign aims, but how he translates that vision and his intent into orders which lead to the securing of his objectives. Should the commander fail to impart his vision or intent to his subordinates the unity of effort of his forces will suffer as each subordinate will be left to determine for himself which actions on the battlefield are key to the success of the campaign. This, in large measure, was the case in the army of Northern Virginia in 1863, and the result was defeat on the battlefield.