Glenn Tucker Gburg Hypothesis

[milhistbuff1]

In High Tide at Gettysburg Glenn Tucker mentions Genl. Lee suggesting " an Army in Effigy" being created from Corse and Jenkin's bdes, 44th NC inf. of Pettigrew, 3 rgts of Cavalry + whatever else, Genls Elzey and DH Hill could spare from the Depts in the Carolinas and placing it under Genl Beauraguard. in CSA dept of NC the bdes of Cooke Colquit Martin, Clingman and Micah Jenkins+ whatever else was scattered around. If posted at Culpepper in a position to threaten Washington DC, is it likely that the AOP would have met with failure against the ANV, assuming AOP were forced to detach corp in order to deal with Gen. PGTB? ref. pgs 37-38 of HTG by tucker

[nbforrest]

I don't know how seriously Lee viewed the idea, but I doubt that Washington would have been suckered in. Even assuming they detached a corps it would not significantly reduce the odds.

Respectfully

[milhistbuff1]

you dont believe removing 10-20 thousand men from the equation would have done anything? Odds are, Meade would be denied access to the sixth corp at the very least. If Lee wasnt serious why bother sending it to Davis in the first place?
Respectfully,
Matt

[nbforrest]

I just can't see Washington taking away an entire corps, especially the largest corps in the AOP. Even if the VI Corps was taken away from Meade, it wouldn't have mattered. It was hardly used at Gettysburg. I seriously doubt that Washington would panic over a handful of men at Culpeper. Washington was safe. Obviously the Union command was not worried about Confederates in central VA given that they allowed Spears' small brigade to roam about the South Anna River.

Respectfully

[milhistbuff1]

The thing is, it would be at least a couple divisions under a more than competent commander, if nothing else, the threat couldnt be ignored, Lockwood's bde of 12th probably wouldn't have been released either
Respectfully
Matt

[nbforrest]

I guess I'm just not convinced of an Union overreaction. Since Lee didn't go through with the plan, I'm guessing he didn't have much faith in it either. Also remember that besides the defenses of Washington and a possible diversion by Dix towards Richmond, there was still an entire brigade of the PA Reserves guarding the Orange and Alexandria RR. They would have tipped off Washington quite well as to the truth of the diversion, as would the cavalry brigade of the Washington defenses.

Respectfully

[ole]

We often forget that the Washington defenses were incredibly (and perhaps overly) formidable. Grant had no difficulty in tapping the forces when he wanted them during the overland campaign.
Ole

[milhistbuff1]

NB, it wasn't Lee who was inactive, Lee sent the recomedations to Davis, who then sat on them instead of taking action that might help his own cause.
Matt

[nbforrest]

I just don't think Washington would have scared so easily. By that stage, Washington was well guarded after the scares of 1862. I mean, there was an entire army corps guarding Washington! I don't think that a handful of Rebs at Culpeper would have rendered some huge advantage to Lee.

Respectfully

[whitworth]

Most historians ignore the Washington artillery defenses and how poorly the ANV was supplied. The ANV was at the bottom of the logistics bucket and any significant reserve might have been hard press to stay even two days, more than five miles from Richmond.