What If Longstreet Had Gotten Command Of The ANV?

[nbforrest]

I fail to see how Longstreet would have been able to succesfully prosecute the war in Virginia. His defensive strategy would just have hemmed him into Richmond sooner than Lee was hemmed in. By the time Johnston was given the AOT, there was nothing he could do to retrieve the situation in the West. An advance past the Duck River would have been impossible, much less a march on the Cumberland or Tennesse valleys. They were both fine generals, but could not rectify a ruined situation.

Respectfully

[milhistbuff1]

NBForrest,
I disagree that the situation was "ruined" in August of 1863. The situation was by no means good, but far from unrectifyable, especially in the west. In the East, Longstreet would likely be of similar mind to johnston, attacking when he had local superiority ala Cassville/Bentonville, the latter of which would have succeeded when the AOT was still a strong enough force.
Respectfully,
Matt

[nbforrest]

By August, the AOT had already been cleared out of Middle Tennesse. I just don't think that a Johnston/Longstreet team, although very fine general, could restore the situation. First, they would have to advance beyond the Duck River and essentially reverse the effects of the Tullahoma campaign, then move northward on Nashville, undoing the effects of the Murfreesboro campaign, and then somehow liberate Nashville and retake the entire Cumberland and Tennessee River Valleys. I just don't see it happening.

Respectfully

[texascavcadet]

What I wish was that Jefferson Davis gave command of the Army of the Tennesse to Gen. Nathan Bedford Forest ("that devil forest") . Imagine the heck he could have given the federals with command of 66,000 troops!!!!

regards
Garrett Estey
11th Texas Cav

[milhistbuff1]

NB, Meade was too cautious to attack, thus leaving Longstreet free. Although battered by Gettysburg, it still had enough strength to present the appearance of a threat to the Ohio valley. As for the AOT, assuming it only reversed the Tullahoma Campaign, that would give a carpe diem commander such as Johnston the initiative, against the sluggish western Union forces arrayed against him. With the regained initiative in the west, a TN equivalent to Morgan's race to the Dan would further off balance old Rosey and would politically damage Lincoln.
Respectfully
Matt

[nbforrest]

Meade, although a rather poor offensive commander, was not going to sit on his behind. If nothing else, Washington wouldn't let him. He was agressive enough to carry out the Mine Run offensive, however bungled that may have been. Most of the ANV would still be tied down in VA regardless.
Even assuming the AOT reversed the Tullahoma campaign (a very big assumption) it would be in a rough situation. What made the Western armies "sluggish"? Certainly there were harder hitting and faster moving than the AOP. Even if the AOT shoved the Army of the Cumberland out of the way, the Army of the Ohio was blocking any Kirby Smith-like move north. The Army of the Ohio could also have been diverted. Plus, after the fall of Vicksburg the Army of the Tennessee would have (as it was in actuality) been shifted to TN. The AOT would have been without a supply line with the Army of the Cumberland in front of it, the Army of the Ohio to the east, and the Army of Tennessee moving up against it, perhaps pulling off a march across north Alabama, cutting the AOT off from an escape and supply route via Chattanooga. Not a very realistic situation for Southern success.

Respectfully

[milhistbuff1]

NB,

What you say about is true, but mine run was not until November. Logistically, it might not be such a problem for the AOT, If a Cassville-esque trap was sprung far enough south, it would lead to a situation where the union forces were divided, and crushed, in turn before the other armies could effectively react. A miniature "Ulm" is basically the result of a successful Cassville type maneuver. This would give the AOT time to consolidate and look to its logistics.

Further, I agree with your contention that the AOP would have the potential to keep the ANV busy, so switch the AOT axis of advance. In the West, a route going from the main supply base at corinth can use the RR to split the enemy sherman style. Going west to Grand Jct, you can leave the enemy guessing whether Jackson or Memphis was your next destination. Consult this website for Black's RR maps. http://www.csa-railroads.com/index.html

Respectfully,
Matt

[nbforrest]

No matter what the AOT did, they would three armies facing them. Assuming the AOT shifted west to the Corinth area, they would be stirring up a hornet's nest. The Army of the Tennessee would be on hand to face them and the Army of the Cumberland would be in pursuit.
Not a very good situation. Especially if Bragg was in command. I think by that time the situation in the West was pretty much down the drain. Just seems like a long shot to me.

Respectfully

[8th Louisiana]

Here is a new name to consider. Talk about a commander who achieved so much with so little! Given his experience in the eastern theatre and his relationship to president davis I wonder how he would have performed in command of either the eastern or western theatre?

[nbforrest]

Originally Posted by 8th Louisiana

Here is a new name to consider. Talk about a commander who achieved so much with so little! Given his experience in the eastern theatre and his relationship to president davis I wonder how he would have performed in command of either the eastern or western theatre?

Dick Taylor, one of my favorite generals! Perhaps the most underrated general of the war.
He did a heck of a job in the Trans-MS. I think he was talented enough to handle the AOT, but my the time he would have been put in he couldn't retrieve the situation. Obviously the high command thought him capable, since they temporarily gave him command of the AOT. But why didn't they let him keep it? Was he too valuable to spare from the AOT? Or did they not think him up to the task?

Respectfully