[December 2, 2021] During the U.S. Civil War, the early years were not going well for the Union under President Abraham Lincoln. Yet, his undertaking was designed to preserve the Union, and he strove to persuade, influence, incentivize, and communicate hope and resolve. What strategic lesson learned can we get from Lincoln’s actions?
While most of us with military backgrounds tend to focus on a strategic analysis of major battles, the exercise of strategic information likewise affected preserving the Union. And, what Lincoln did, has ramifications today as well.
In 1862, Lincoln commissioned Francis Lieber, a professor at Columbia University, to develop a code providing for policies regarding warfare. It took Lieber a year to complete the work, but Lincoln was pleased and noted that Lieber’s document would maintain good order and discipline in the ranks, and promote a sense of decency among the troops.
The completed Lieber Code arrived in the middle of a war as a directive from the Commander-in-Chief to his soldiers. This first formal codification of the laws of warfare was formally titled, “Instructions for the Government of Armies of The United States in the field, General Order No. 100.” The Order was issued on April 24, 1863.
The Lieber Code set out rules of conduct during hostilities for Union soldiers throughout the U.S. Civil War. Even today, it remains the basis of most regulations of the laws of war for the United States and is referred to in the foreword to the Department of Defense Laws of War Manual.
The Lieber Code inspired other countries to adopt similar rules for their military and was used as a template for international efforts in the late 19th century to codify the laws and customs of war.
The Lieber Code’s reputation grew, rapidly achieving global influence. It later became the basis for all international treaties and the customs of land warfare, including the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907 and the Geneva Accords of 1954. These first codifications of the Laws of War formed the basis for most regulations for the ethical conduct of warfare in the world and laid the groundwork for evolving human rights laws.
President Lincoln excelled as a wartime President. His efforts to engage every element of national power at his disposal had a clear and decisive effect on the war’s outcome, on how, when, and where to fight, create economic incentives, and persuade.
As a strategic leader, he exercised the vision that had an enduring effect: building America’s future.
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Pres. Lincoln was, indeed, a great wartime president. It is more than amazing that he was able to accomplish so much in such a short period of time.
…. and that is why President Lincoln is considered such a great president. If we are too look at US presidents over the last 50 years or so, we can begin to see those that contrast to Lincoln from the leadership and accomplishment angle. Jimmy Carter is considered, by far, the worst. History is yet written on Joe Biden but looks like he will be the most destructive president in American history. Just the facts!
Now, Max, you’ll have a bunch of screaming pink hats at your door today for making that comment. Hahahahha
Wow, I’m surprised at what I’m finding in this leadership website. Gen. Satterfield sure knows how to give us a little dose of leadership every day. THANKS!
I love this leadership website. Great education and entertainment as well.
Hi JT, you and I have been around for a couple of years on this site and regularly make comments that, I hope, make a difference. Another one, this article, strikes home. There is so much criticism of Capitalist Nations and ignoring of the sins of non-Capitalistic nations that it makes me sick sometimes. Perhaps the cure, while tough, is actually better in the long run.
Yes, me too JT and Willie. Good to see you, my friends, on today. I’ve had my cup of coffee, petted my dog, and read more in my newest purchased book by Gen. Satterfield. I recommend you buy it now and read it. Make a comment on Amazon. This is a great insight into the Iraq War and into Gen. Satterfield’s leadership philosophy.
https://www.amazon.com/Our-Longest-Year-Iraq-Construction/dp/1737915510/
Yes, thanks guys for your input over the years.
“President Lincoln excelled as a wartime President. His efforts to engage every element of national power at his disposal had a clear and decisive effect on the war’s outcome, on how, when, and where to fight, create economic incentives, and persuade.” Main point in this article. Well taken.
Amazing, never heard of the Lieber Code before. Thanks, Gen. Satterfield. I sent your article over to a lawyer friend and he told me more about the background. Fascinating.
The Magna Charter started it all. Cheers, mates.
Excellent article on a bit of history that those who do not study law will probably never hear about. This was an important jump / advancement in human fairness and fair play. Even during war, things can progress.
Interesting….. I never heard of this before. Too bad that it always western, European type (read that as U.S. also) white guys that are coming up with tremendous advances in fairness while our communist buddies lag behind and continue to suppress people, enslave them (read that as China), and “disappear” folks that don’t toe the line. Hmmmmmmm!
Maybe we can convert you to true exceptionalism in America. We have our faults — a few but rare and small — but socialist and communist nations are crushing freedom like never before. Even China how has slaves.
This example, from Gen. Satterfield, on the Lieber Code shows how quickly Western civilization is advances, despite the crazy radical progressives like China Joe Biden and nutbag K. Harris that let China slide while killing folks in the US under the DOJ guise of “terrorism”. Yep, call our moms protesting at school boards a bunch of terrorists. That works.
Good points here Commie Red, and maybe we will have the last laugh.
Ever see advances like this coming from the Middle East, Africa, or Asia? NOPE! Says something to us but are we listening.