Lee Killed at Chancellorsville......

[timewalker]

I question whether Jackson or Longstreet would have been the choice to lead the AoNV. Would Davis necessarily have "promoted from within" or would the pressure have been too great to bring in Bragg, Beauregard or someone else.

Yes, Jackson and Longstreet are logical choices, but the politics of war do not often allow for the "logical" choice.

AoNV was the plum. No one could argue to replace Lee while he was alive, but I think the various senior commanders, including Bragg, Beauregard and J. E. Johnston, would have lobbied hard to get the post and would have howled if Davis had promoted Jackson or Longstreet.

[ole]

Davis would certainly have had to break out some 'nads and call in some big-time chits had Lee been elimated at Chancellorsville. It wouldn't have been a potato he asked to catch.

ole

[samgrant]

I somewhat agree with Timewalker. Davis was always most likely to prefer those with whom he an agreeable relationship (ie. those who agreed withhim and curried his favor).

Since he may been aware of the disfatisfaction in the AOT with Bragg's subordinates, he may have put that dumbass as commander of the ANV. Johnston, who was despised by Davis, would have replaced bragg anyway.

The bottom line is that the end game would probably have happened almost a year earlier than it eventually did, no matter who replaced Lee.

-

[M E Wolf]

Dear Sam Grant,

I agree--sometimes you just can't replace the irreplacable.

Just some thoughts.

Respectfully submitted,
M. E. Wolf

[J_Man0507]

Originally Posted by M E Wolf

As far as who would lead the Confederate Army; I believe Longstreet was promoted before Jackson, making Longstreet Jackson's senior. I do believe there might have been friction between Longstreet and Jackson however, Jackson being aggressive similar to Lee would have balanced Longstreet's caution and defensive style however, Jackson wasn't as 'gracious' as Lee, to which--I would think Jackson would have disobeyed Longstreet's orders and or be headstrong as to be troublesome and be sent West. I think Longstreet would have brought in Pickett, Hood and Armistead and Garnet, pre Gettysburg best and seasoned Generals from Mexican War days.

You make some good points there, M.E. I agree with alot of what you have to say, but I will make a point of one thing. IIRC, Longstreet and Jackson were both promoted at the same time, as the two corp were consolidated. Prior to the Battle of Fredericksburg, it had been Longstreet's Corps and Jackson's Corps. Jackson, though he fought with Lee, was technically in command of a seperate force, the Confederate Army of the Valley. That was his main AO. He was brought east to fight in the Seven Days, and then participated in the Second Bull Run Campaign and then Antietam. It was only after Lee came back across the Potomac after Antietam that the two corps became the First and Second Corps, AoNV. At Antietam, both Longstreet and Jackson held the rank of Major General. When the army structure changed, they were both promoted to Lt. Gen. If there is anybody who has any info that can iron this out, let me know.

When dealing with is what it, one has to assume, as I stated in my last post, that Jackson as well does not die. He either has to survive his recon forward, or not go at all. If Lee and Jackson die, it would be a serious blow, one that I would think is not recoverable from. You have just lost two of your most important generals in the Virginia theatre...how can they recover from that? What would the new commander have done? Longstreet wasn't at Chancellorsville, so that would most likely have put Stuart in command until someone could come and replace him. Granted, Stuart did well covering for Jackson, but he was a cavalry general, and not, I think, suited for army command. With both generals out of the fight, Hooker has this battle in the bag, even though he has lost the first day. He can easily regroup and smash the two corp who are most likely to be in complete disarray without corps commanders.

[Cpt. Steinhauer]

the war would've changed agreed. but jackson would've taken command and then he would swiftly move the AoNV throughout Virginia and attack small garrisons of Union troops then attack Washington.

but the morale of the troops would be low. Lee was a figure that all the men looked too. if he was gone, the men would be gone and lose the fight.

[5fish]

Originally Posted by Cpt. Steinhauer

then attack Washington.
the war would've changed agreed. but jackson would've taken command and then he would swiftly move the AoNV throughout Virginia and attack small garrisons of Union troops
but the morale of the troops would be low. Lee was a figure that all the men looked too. if he was gone, the men would be gone and lose the fight.

Now wait, There were many other generals senior to Jackson that would have been offer the job before him...

Lets be honest Jackson was not the easiest person to get along with, his quirkiness. I do not think he could have manage the politics that go with the job...

[timewalker]

Jackson was not senior enough to get command of the AoNV. Even Longstreet was his senior. Further, while Jackson was a brilliant corps commander, I think he would have made a miserable army commander. He was continually fighting with his subordinates and would clearly have made a number of political enemies amoung the Confederate Congressman.

More importantly, Jackson was too secretive to last as commander of the AoNV. Jackson was notoriously secretive. He refused even to tell his division commanders his plans. Davis expected to be kept fully informed as to all matters involving the army. One of the reasons Davis got along so well with Lee was that Lee kept Davis informed on a continual and detailed basis. I assume that Davis knew of Jackson's propensity for secrecy and would not have appointed him to command and thus "cut himself out of the loop."

[ole]

So, who? Beauregard? JE Johnston? Bragg? Polk? Who comprised the list of the noxt commander?

ole

[5fish]

Originally Posted by ole

So, who? Beauregard? JE Johnston? Bragg? Polk? Who comprised the list of the next commander?

ole

This is for you Ole.

I will take a stab at a list. It is a short you and most of the character are well know.

Gen. Sam Cooper, He was senior to even Gen. Lee...

Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard

Gen. J. E. Johnston

Gen. B. Bragg

Gen. J. Longstreet: My impression is when I read about the AoNV that "Old Pete" was consider number two man to Gen. Lee. Even thou Gen. Jackson was closer to Gen. Lee on a personal level.

Gen. K. Smith

If Lee had died at Chancellorsville instead of Jackson, I think Jackson would have been the popular choice by the people but politics would have trump his popularity. I think the most politically powerful general would have gotten the job..