U S Army War College

Strategic Leadership Southern Style U S Army War College

When Jefferson Davis accepted the position of Provisional President of the Confederacy in 1861, he would not go it alone. Just as his counterpart in Washington was surrounded by senior civilian statesmen and professional military officers, Davis too had his Cabinet. This inner circle had duties and responsibilities much like their counterparts today, including advising the President on diplomatic, informational, military and economic matters that could lead to the South's recognized independence. Of these cabinet officials, the most important for the embattled, wartime Confederacy was the Secretary of War. Six men, both civilian and military, held that crucial position, 1861-1865. This Strategy Research Project (SRP) analyzes the relationship between those key senior secretaries and President Davis. Conversely the book also examines to what extent he acknowledged and accepted their recommendations. The book also explores the impact of President Davis's leadership style on the Confederate war effort. Lastly the SRP gleans insights into enduring civil-military relationships that are just as applicable today as they were during the Civil War.