War is a very simple thing - made up of hundreds of complicated things.
Carl von Clausewitz
Odd.
Most artists, far too many historians, and all nine-year old boys insist Ambrose Burnside was fixated on the bridge.
Oh, would that wars were fought by the armchair analysts.
Burnside, knowing the bridge was a bottleneck sent his main attack, in two divisions, upstream and downstream. The downstream attempt by Rodman was successful. Finding a ford a mile and a quarter from the bridge, Rodman got his division across and came boiling up on the Confederate flank, compromising the rebel position and allowing the bridge to fall into Union hands.
The war is so simple when explained by artists, too many historians, and all nine-year-old boys.
At least the nine-year-olds may outgrow it.
Your favorite former nine-year-old boy,
Mannie
