Nice way of expressing these historical tid-bits. Reading about WW II I see that over and above the movements and tactics of the conduct of the war; aspects such as food and shelter needed by such large accumulations of troops effect the outcome more so than we would suspect. Most evident example is the number of troops died in WW I of Ptomaine poisoning was greater than military deaths. And many in the Civil War died of Sepsis and pnuemonia. It makes you wonder. The most surprising aspect of our Civil War is the length of time the armies held up around Washington without any real combat. I am not educated but I believe it was General Mead at that time? The blockade; wasn't that crucial to the Union success?