Civil War History - "What if..." DiscussionsWhat if they had attacked instead of digging in...? What if he was in charge of the army instead...? Did you ever have a "What if..." question, and you weren't sure where to post it? Here's the place to ask these speculative questions!
I'm not so sure i agree in this case, he would have done it just to get away from President Jeff Davis, who he vicerally despised. He'd get away from Richmond and Davis as soon as humanly possible.
Respectfully,
Matt
__________________ Great-Great Grand Nephew of George H. Pfau, 4th NJ Vol Infantry
Agreed that Johnston would jump at a chance to distance himself from Davis, but it would have been more in character to fight a small, inconclusive battle, and then declare that nothing more could be done without reinforcements and tell the Gov't (and Davis) to leave Richmond so that he could manuever as the situation dictated (not being tied down to Richmond, forcing him to fight a hopeless battle). Then retreat from Richmond AND away from where ever Davis retreated to.
I just don't see Johnston going further south. There was nowhere to go without handing vital territory to the federals. Surely he wouldnt have been foolish enough to expose Richmond/Petersburg? Without Tredegar iron works, he cannot supply cannon to his army. If Petersburg is lost, there goes connections with the rest of the CSA. The only way he could have broken from davis' choke hold is to move North.
Respectfully,
Matt
__________________ Great-Great Grand Nephew of George H. Pfau, 4th NJ Vol Infantry
Gunny: My opinion: JEJ was hopelessly hindered with his personal aversion to failure. His unwillingness to risk failure translated into an unwillingness to risk anything -- hence, do anything but maneuver and avoid confrontation.
How do you explain the 40,000 casoualties he inflicted on Sherman's forces?
How do you explain the 40,000 casoualties he inflicted on Sherman's forces?
I'll have to see some very convincing evidence before I believe 40,000.
Ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Actually Sherman states in his official report that the casualties for the campaign (killed and wounded) came to 37,081 while prisoners and deserters numbered an additional 12,983 for a total loss of 50,064.
This report was dated "In the Field, Atlanta, Ga., Sept. 15, 1864"
OK. I'll buy 40k, although it still sounds excessive.
Ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Actually Sherman states in his official report that the casualties for the campaign (killed and wounded) came to 37,081 while prisoners and deserters numbered an additional 12,983 for a total loss of 50,064.
This report was dated "In the Field, Atlanta, Ga., Sept. 15, 1864"
Jamie
The 12,983 is the claimed capture of prisoners and deserters by Sherman's forces, not his own losses. He is saying his own total loss was 37,081.
CivilWarTalk.com -
A free and friendly Civil War community. 
Joe Johnston 
Linear Mode
