mr. stanton have been trying to boss this job a long time and we have not succeeded very well with it. i think we better leave him alone to do as he pleases. and with that stanton backed off. grant sharply reduced the number of wagon trains to accompany the army so as not to impede the moments of that force. large stockpiles of supplies began lining depots in washington and northern virginia. grant ordered a million rations shipped to the front. 100 round of ammunition for every soldier and medical supplies to accommodate 12,000 wounded men. with grant's approval, secretary staunton ceased all exchange of captured soldiers. this would guarantee confederate forces would remain strapped it also gave yanks a stronger incentive to avoid being taken prisoner of war. for many of the massive preparations made the often criticized general henry deserves, i think a little overdue critic. he was one of the union's most senior officers but his military skills were, shall we say, extremely limited. george mcclellan thought he was the most hopelessly stupid men in high position and that was the jud