Truly visionary, Winfield Scott’s enduring contribution to the Union war effort was the “Anaconda Plan.” This plan in essence became the basic overall Union military strategy in the American Civil War. Unlike most in 1861, Scott envisioned a protracted four-year-long war that would involve large numbers of troops and a grand strategy. Winfield Scott had another vision in 1861. This vision determined the role the standing, Regular Army would play as the Union mobilized to suppress the rebel...