Hood's Tennessee Campaign

[ole]

I'd venture that the war was strategically lost when the Feds took effective control of Tennessee commerce -- when it had Knoxville, Nashville and Memphis. That accomplishment placed reliable supply behind the western Union forces and threw the western Confederate forces onto shaky ground.
Ole

[larry_cockerham]

Originally Posted by ole

I'd venture that the war was strategically lost when the Feds took effective control of Tennessee commerce -- when it had Knoxville, Nashville and Memphis. That accomplishment placed reliable supply behind the western Union forces and threw the western Confederate forces onto shaky ground.
Ole

Ole, I'll go the part about the war was strategically lost when the feds gained control of Knoxville and Nashville. Memphis never really left CSA dominance, remember it was N.B. Forrest's home town. There was really no commerce between Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville in the civil war era. Remember, no roads except a muddy trail and no railroad links from Nashville west.

Yes, Nashville was the supply key for a while until Sherman could get east of Atlanta after which time Nashville really made no difference because of the potential of Sherman linking with Grant. What was left of the AOT after Nashville hurriedly scampered back eastward trying to stop Sherman. Too little and way too late.

[ole]

Memphis never really left CSA dominance, remember it was N.B. Forrest's home town. There was really no commerce between Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville in the civil war era.

.You may have to mention that to General Sherman -- he was stationed in Memphis as its military "advisor" until he was pressed into service for the Vicksburg campaign beginning in late '62. Replaced by Hurlbut.

Remember, no roads except a muddy trail and no railroad links from Nashville west.

Not directly, but there was a strong link through Chattanooga. And Memphis was supplied by rail and water from the north. I'll restate that Tennessee was under Union control. Although it might be said that NBF "controlled" West Tennessee, his control was of little real benefit to the Confederacy -- except keeping Forrest supplied with Yankee materiel.

[larry_cockerham]

It's been proposed that Arkansas annex Memphis. I recall several, at least a few, times that Forrest raided Memphis later in the war. Security must not have been too great. On the other hand, it was just Memphis.

[ole]

I recall several, at least a few, times that Forrest raided Memphis later in the war.

"Raided" does not mean "took a chunk out of." It might mean "caused some consternation," or "woke up the local officer."

Let's not get diverted into a Forrest/god, Forrest/nonentity discussion. I'm more than happy to step aside for the ordination of Forrest as a CSA saint. I'll defend Forrest's name on a UT ROTC building in the campus at Murphreesboro? Ain't a whole bunch of sense in this late date dragging down or promoting this or that "hero."

Forrest was a significant figure in history. The dashing, illiterate, astute businessman who displayed an uncanny instinct for warfare. Kinda like the "Swap Fox" of the original rebellion. Telling. Significant. But in the end, not the holder of the laurels. His memory should have at least what it has and I'll object to any detraction from that. But I won't support any elevation from where it is.

Now, a word from our sponsor: We've already hijacked this thread on Hood's Tennessee Campaign. Shall we give it back and find another thread?
Ole

[larry_cockerham]

Sorry, I wasn't trying to draw attention to Forrest. He was just the only guy I remembered that lived in Memphis, aside from his brothers. On a more nearly pertinent note, I've recently been promised some 1941 mapping outlining the path of the AOT in some detail after the removal from Columbia in December, 1864. Movement back and forth along Richland Creek from Lynville to Pulaski as well as the more detailed route south from Pulaski and Anthony's Hill. I'm looking forward to visiting and doing some photography this winter. I now understand the more or less exact location (three separate fields) of the battle at Sugar Creek just east of Appleton, TN.

[ole]

That mapping sounds like what you've been looking for. I'm excited for you! You have the makings of a good book going. Keep us posted.
Ole

[PINCKNEYUSMCRET]

I have read and reread this thread, and just have one question. All else aside what other choices did Hood have. If I understand what I read, he and his men almost pulled it off. If some of you more learned folks could enlighten me I would appreciate it.

PINCKNEY

[trice]

Originally Posted by larry_cockerham

As you know, the mighty Duck was a player in the events of December 1864. Had the weather fallen on just a bit quicker schedule, Hood would have once again been stalled at Columbia during the retreat. Forrest had to divert part of his command from Lillards Mill west to Columbia because of high and rising waters. Good thing for the AOT as he was able to stall Hatch's cavalry long enough to get the AOT on the move south again. A quicker pursuit from Nashville would have spelled doom to the 20,000 or so Confederates fleeing in frozen conditions. As it happened, the battles of Selma and Bentonville were necessary, along with several skirmishes in South Carolina, to finish the AOT and allow the Confederates to go back to their farms.

One reason for the delay in the pursuit was that a tired Thomas issued a mistaken order late in the day as Hood's army broke apart in front of Nashville. He sent his bridge train off on the wrong road. The mistake was not discovered until the next day, and the slow-moving bridge train had to reverse itself and return to the Nashville area before turning to follow the pursuit.

Without that, the Union pursuit might have been far more successful.

Regards,
Tim

[trice]

Originally Posted by PINCKNEYUSMCRET

I have read and reread this thread, and just have one question. All else aside what other choices did Hood have. If I understand what I read, he and his men almost pulled it off. If some of you more learned folks could enlighten me I would appreciate it.

PINCKNEY

In October, he had several. His original plan called for a crossing over towards Chattanooga, but he called it off and drifted west, planned for another crossing, called it off, drifted west ... and ended up sitting on the river where he did.

He had hoped to draw Sherman after him and fight him somewhere along the Alabama line. Sherman called it all off, went back to Atlanta, sent Thomas to Tennessee, lightened his force sending the part he didn't want to Tennessee, and started off across Georgia for the Atlantic.

In doing all this, Hood left Beauregard (his commanding officer) in the dark. Beauregard kept setting up the logistics for those river crossings Hood had cancelled -- and then discovering Hood had changed the plan again without mentioning it. (Hood had a strong connection to the C-in-C Davis, who disliked Beauregard.)

In the end, Hood and Beauregard are sitting there in camp when the word comes that Sherman has left Atlanta. They realize immediately that their real purpose in dealing with Sherman is now meaningless. They are so far behind him they cannot catch up. Beauregard heads east to try to rally and salvage what he can, glad to be shut of Hood. (Wheeler has done a terrible job of observing Sherman in here, BTW, which is why Hood and Beauregard are in the dark.) Hood, with nothing else to do, heads for Nashville.

IMHO, even if Hood takes Nashville, it is brilliant but fairly meaningless. He can't hold it long, it accomplishes nothing of importance, and every step Sherman's army takes across GA-SC-NC is ripping the heart out of the Confederacy just a bit more.

Regards,
Tim