Civil War History - The Eastern TheaterDiscuss any and all battles, movements, and events occuring in the Eastern Theater here! This includes any actions in tha area east of the Appalachian Mountains in the vicinity of the river capitals of Richmond and Washington D.C.
The real question is why not continue after Early, draw Lee south and east, create an insurmountable distance between 2nd Corp ANV and Lee. Then send Meade and Reynolds down Hunting Run to where it empties out by Wilderness Church. Do to Hill what Jackson did to Oliver Howard, hit'm in the flank and rear. Lee is forced to either abandon Early or let 20K men stream over a weakened 2nd corp with its command structure in dissary. McLaws and Anderson, Early and perhaps Colston would be able to even extricate themselves.
Respectfully,
Matt
the goal was to get lee from both sides in an anvil type attack. By driving west, your only bunching a reunited 1st &2nd Corp ANV into supporting position. Sedgewick would have ideally gone southwest get behind lee force him to turn. This gives 2nd, and 12th corp a chance to strike out into Mclaws and Andersons new rear and alternately, 5th and 1st corp could come down from the North as i indicated in post 12.
Hooker blames Papa John for his own failure. O.K. Papa John could have conducted himself better but that doesn't explain why Hooker didn't have Howard make better preparations or why Hooker ignored the movement of Jackson as seen by his signal men. Even after Jackson was killed, Hooker still had his chance and Reynold's First Corps was in position to roll up Stuart's left flank. Reynolds pleaded with Hooker to be allowed to attack but Hooker insisted on retreating. Hooker can blame no one but himself.
Hooker had little to do with Howard's failure, all throughout May 2nd OOH received reports ranging from regimental to other corp commanders (Sickles intercepting APHill.) The question is why didnt Howard listen to his own men? Why did he automatically assume Jackson was retreating. Considering Jackson's rep for audacious attacks, calling that snap judgement foolish, is being polite.
Respectfully,
Matt
I think most of us here would agree that Hooker screwed up and Sedgewick was slow. In Sedgewick's defense, the quickest way to "fall upon Lee's rear" would be to punch through directly and not maneuver Early out of position. Hooker certainly should have punched through Anderson and McLaws, but was so spooked he sat still. So...I think the majority of the blame clearly falls on Hooker's refusal to do anything resembling an offensive after tangling with the Rebs on the first day.
As to Early's movement westward, didn't Chilton screw that up somehow by giving stale orders or something?
Respectfully
__________________ Up men, and to your post! And let no man forget today that you are from old Virginia!
Hooker had little to do with Howard's failure, all throughout May 2nd OOH received reports ranging from regimental to other corp commanders (Sickles intercepting APHill.) The question is why didnt Howard listen to his own men? Why did he automatically assume Jackson was retreating. Considering Jackson's rep for audacious attacks, calling that snap judgement foolish, is being polite.
Respectfully,
Matt
Chancellorsville was certainly Howard's worst moment. There's blame to go around though...Hooker should have taken more interest in securing his flank, Howard's brigade and division commanders should have secured their fronts, etc. But Howard probably has the greatest blame here.
The trouble is that people just remember Howard for Chancellorsville. He was a solid commander that developed into a trustworthy subordinate out west.
Respectfully
__________________ Up men, and to your post! And let no man forget today that you are from old Virginia!
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