The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 77, July 1973 - April, 1974 Page: 110

The Influence of Jomini on Scott's Campaign

him but also those who served in other theaters became convinced of the
efficacy of the Jominian interpretation of the proper conduct of war. One
historian has observed that the names of those officers who were veterans
of the Mexican War seem "like a roll call of Civil War commanders."51
Obviously, Jomini and Scott had an influence on the Civil War too.
Among the earliest words that Jomini wrote when he began The Art of
War were those which enumerated the prerequisites of a good general. First
in position on the list in importance was the quality of "high moral courage,
capable of great resolution." Next in importance was the virtue of "physical
courage which takes no account of danger." Scott's entire military career
amply demonstrated those attributes. Finally, Jomini wrote that there was
still one more prerequisite for the truly great general. He would possess "a
thorough knowledge of the principles of the art of war." With this phrase,
he plainly described Scott, whose comprehension and practice of the art
exceeded that of any of his colleagues. Perhaps this American soldier could
have received no greater tribute than the one which came from the venera-
ble strategist himself. Years later, when Jomini wrote his admittedly brief
and incomplete observations on maritime operations, he admiringly noted
that Winfield Scott had conducted in Mexico what the master lavishly
praised as a "brilliant campaign."52
51Singletary, The Mexican War, 4. The following is a partial listing of Mexican War
veterans who became Civil War generals. U. S. Grant, R. E. Lee, J. E. Johnston, A. S.
Johnston, P. G. T. Beauregard, J. Longstreet, T. J. Jackson, G. B. McClellan, G. Pillow,
G. G. Meade, R. Patterson, S. Price, W. T. Sherman, B. Huger, J. B. Magruder, G. E.
Pickett, D. H. Hill. Jefferson Davis, of course, became President of the Confederate
States of America.
52Jomini, The Art of War, 50 (quotations), 350.

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