Grant's most significant advantage heading into the spring of 1864 was that he had twice as many men as the enemy. In March 1864, Ulysses S. Grant was named General-in-Chief of the Union Army. He had a numerical advantage against Confederate General Robert E. Lee, commanding twice as many soldiers. This enabled him to conduct simultaneous offensives against various Confederate armies, putting pressure on the enemy on multiple fronts. Furthermore, Grant had President Lincoln's full backing, and the blockade was effective in many respects, straining the Confederate economy and logistics. With this advantage in personnel, Grant was able to pursue an attrition plan, wearing down the Confederate army via extended and persistent fighting. This method was finally successful, as a result of being unable to replace its casualties, the Confederate army was compelled to surrender in April 1865.