Grant commended the two commanders with whom he served but offered insightful comparisons. Zachary Taylor, dressed for “comfort,” moved throughout the field of battle by his own timetable, without staff, trusting “his own eyes” to size up the situation. Winfield Scott “wore all the uniform prescribed” and traveled with a large staff who notified his troops of the exact hour he would arrive, so that “all the army might be under arms to salute their chief as he passed.” Grant admired Taylor and Scott; “with their opposite characteristics both were great and successful soldiers.” But in his
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