Much of Civil War history emphasizes generalship (or the lack of it) as the key factor in analyzing why battles were won or lost. Taking an innovative approach, this book focuses on six elements of victory in nine important Western Theater engagements during 1862--a year when the North had not yet fully mobilized for war. With increasing complexity on the battlefield and the enormous growth of American armies, winning or losing depended upon achieving as many of these six critical goals as possible: a clear objective; mobilization of effective lieutenants; a competent staff; seizing and holding initiative; deploying all available resources; and realizing a successful strategic outcome. The more goals achieved, the greater the victory. “[A]n extremely readable, outstanding study which belongs in every Civil War buff’s library.”― The NYMAS Review “Zimmerman’s More Than Just Grit is a freshly framed, consistently interesting, and astutely argued addition to the discussion. In providing a theater-wide focus on one of the war’s most critical intervals, the study also effectively highlights a number of factors that contributed to contrasting fortunes between East and West for both sides.”― Civil War Books and Authors Richard J. Zimmermann was a school administrator and taught history and economics. At the Civil War Museum in Kenosha, Wisconsin, he assists in the archives, presents programs on military history, and does research for new exhibits. He has written one other book on the Civil War, articles on military history and is a member of the Milwaukee Civil War Round Table.