What if Early....

[cw1865]

What if Early actually captures DC in 1864?

[M E Wolf]

Dear CW1865,

Good luck in him holding Washington City (Washington, DC); with all the peppered Union troops; Marine Corps Barracks; the inner ring of Washington Defenses, The Washington Arsenal; details to guard capitol building, executive mansion; plus the Metropolitan Police Department and gun boats in the Anacostia and Potomac; the buildings would be destroyed before Early could make use of them. Not to mention, the wounded, the sick that could still aim a gun--bunch of doctors with needles ready to squirt something in the beehind. [Chuckles]

Just some thoughts.

Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf

[5fish]

Early's force was just too small for that task all it could have done was harass the areas around D.C..

If he did somehow occupy D.C. it would have been a big coup but Grant would have sent a Corp up to kick him out. He would have had his moment in History...nothing more. The unionwould ahve still won the war...

[ole]

I believe that Early was never intended to take Washington, just to pull off sufficient troops to give Lee some relief. He managed to pull off some troops, but that wasn't enough.

ole

[cw1865]

Originally Posted by ole

I believe that Early was never intended to take Washington, just to pull off sufficient troops to give Lee some relief. He managed to pull off some troops, but that wasn't enough.

ole

This is all very true...it is indeed a raid. I only mention it because if you look at these events, plus consider the time of the war it is, its really remarkable what Early pulls off.

There is an engagement at Fort Stephens and its not COMPLETELY inconceivable that Early could somehow sneak through.....You can't be engaged at Fort Stephens and at least not contemplate it!