After Chickamauga, Walker's corps was consolidated back into a division. Liddell's brigade (now under Govan) and Walthall's brigade went back to their respective divisions, breaking up Liddell's division. Walker's division received a brigade from Cheatham (first Maney, then later swapped for Jackson's brigade), and Ector's brigade was sent back to Mississippi. If Walker had died in 1863 at Chickamauga, it is likely this corps would have reverted into a division anyway (likely under Gist as Walker's senior subordinate) or broken up as Walker's division in real life was after Bald Hill.
Great comment.
Though I think the command might have gone to Liddell, if he was transferred back, or maybe Lafayette McLaws, if Walker was killed at Missionary Ridge.
McLaws since he barely escaped court martial, and still retained his rank, but not the favor of General Longstreet. A transfer to the AoT and Walker's old division, of similar state makeup as his previous command (Mostly Georgian, plus South Carolina and Mississippi).
Liddell, since he was left without a meaningful command for practically the rest of the war. Given his competent performance at Division-level command at Chickamauga, as well as his previous combat record in command of the Arkansas Brigade as well.
I'm trying to figure out how my anti-CSCT conspiracy would work, and part of this is figuring out who would be involved and where they were in early 1864.
Robert Toombs had such a dislike of Davis and his policies it bordered on treason, so it seems likely he would be involved. The purpose of some kind of coup would likely be to depose Davis in favor of Alexander Stephens, and as he and Toombs were good friends, he'll likely be involved as well. Louis T. Wigfall and Robert M. T. Hunter are also likely as well. Congress was in session from 7 December 1863-17 February 1864, so that tells us where any conspirators serving in Congress would have been.
From what I can gather, these men were here in January-February 1864:
Robert M. T. Hunter: Richmond, Virginia
Alexander H. Stephens: At home in Atlanta, Georgia
Robert A. Toombs: At home in Washington, Georgia
Louis T. Wigfall: Richmond, Virginia
If Wigfall is implicated, that will have dire consequences for Joe Johnston's command. Wigfall had been his cheif supporter in Richmond; if he implicated himself in the Toombs-Dahlgren Affair, Johnston will probably lose command of the AoT by April.
This is one less (detestably) skilled army commander off the list. Who'd take his place?
Hardee was the senior Ltg in the AoT but he lacked the charismatic aura of commanders like Lee, A. S. and J. E. Johnston, Beauregard, and even Hood to an extent.
Hood was the historical choice and most likely to receive it, considering his ties with Davis, but this could result in a much bloodier Georgia Campaign in May, maybe even a disaster at Reseca.
Polk is a brave and beloved general, but not a very talented tactician or strategist.
Beauregard is probably the best choice, but Davis' pride would allow him to let him; he didn't want to go back on his removal of Beauregard after retreating from Corinth, and given his refusal to remove Bragg from command until Bragg himself submitted his resignation, it is highly unlikely he'll fold.
Most other options (Cleburne, S. D. Lee, Forrest, etc.) are too junior or too low in rank, experience, or social stature (West Pointers are much more favored for promotion) to be bumped up to army command.
I guess Taylor could be a good option, given his record and his lack of a field command after Kirby Smith removed him after repulsing the Red River expedition, though I believe Hood will be infuriated after losing his chance at an army command to someone who he'd probably think to be his inferior (Hood was a West Point graduate; Taylor was self taught, his famous father having taken him as his aide-de-camp during the Mexican War).