While both the art of war and science were utilized by the Union and Confederacy during the battle of New Bern, one commander was more successful in their application. A review of the Union’s planning, intent, and execution of tactics on General Branch’s Confederate forces at New Bern, leads to a conclusion that the Federal Army, under the command of General Burnside was more effective in using the science and art of war.
Knowledge of his enemy’s composition permitted General Burnside to maneuver to the Confederate front unimpeded. According to John Barret, “It is thought that General Burnside knew the exact number of troops in Branch’s command and how they were posted.” General Burnside had a much larger force than General Branch. Subsequently, General Burnside knew the location of enemy posts and recognized it would be impossible for them to defend the entire perimeter. If he could mass his forces upon the objective the Union would have an advantage. General Burnside maneuvered twelve miles with naval fires until reaching the Confederate front. On the surface, this combined arms maneuver seems unnecessary, nevertheless, General Burnside didn’t take unnecessary risk and his forces arrived at the objective fully intact. General Burnside used the science of war more…show more content… Once the Federal forces left flank was close enough to the Confederate right flank, Union General, Jesse Reno observed what Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication 1 (MCDP 1), Warfighting, describes as a “[C]ritical vulnerability.” According to John Barrett, “[G]eneral Reno could see the flank of militia with no works or guns protecting it.” “[R]eno formed the Twenty-first Massachusetts at right angles to his line of march and personally led four of its companies in a charge across the railroad against the militia.” General Burnside and his forces applied the art of war more effectively by using what MCDP 1, Warfighting, states is “[M]ass to concentrate combat
