By Comparing and Contrasting Robert E Lee, McClellan, and Grant, who under stood the math?

Question

This has to do with the Civil War. Between the 3 mentioned, who understood the math?

Answer 1

The sledgehammer attacks by Grant during the Wilderness leading up to Petersburg, proved Grant's willingness to sustain losses. The 'math' as you refer to it, would be the tactic of using strength of numbers, both in men and material.

Lee on the other hand, defied the numbers on many occasions, at least in the beginning years of the war. Dividing his army in the face of superior numbers, most notably at Chanclorsville. He tactically outmanueverd the bumbling Union Generals. The overwelming numbers of Federals at Fredricksburg were no match against massed artillery and entrenched infantry defending the high ground.

I'v got nothing to add to McClellan's grasp of math, the answer above said it all.

Answer 2

To add to Jesse K answer - McClellan had a very fuzzy grasp of statistics - and listened to advisers who were not much smarter. Thus he always grossly overestimated the numbers of the enemy he was facing. Grant had no such illusions and neither did Lee.

Answer 3

Both Grant and Lee understood the math. Grant knew that he could suffer massive casualties and replace them and Lee had no real reserves to replace his losses. Grant knew that it was just a matter of time and manpower before the south would be defeated by manpower numbers.