OldReliable1862
First Sergeant
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2017
- Location
- Georgia
As I look at the Western theater of the war, I've noted a few interesting Points of Divergence (PODs), and I wanted to see which one those here would find most interesting:
September 1861: Both Grant and Polk were planning to invade Kentucky, but what if Fremont had ordered Grant to occupy Paducah before Polk and Pillow made their move? I don't consider it beyond the realm of possibility for this to sway many more Kentuckians to the pro-Southern stance, especially if Fremont extends his emancipation order to Kentucky.
December 1861: Braxton Bragg was offered command of the Trans-Mississippi Department by Davis in December of 1861, but he declined, with the command then offered to Henry Heth before Earl Van Dorn finally accepted it. While Bragg had several significant drawbacks as a commander, he was a superb organizer, and I can't see him making the same mistakes that Van Dorn did at Elkhorn Tavern.
December 1862: As mentioned in @Generic Username's thread on the battle, John Wharton's cavalry had reached the Nashville Pike during Murfreesboro, and could have held it had Wheeler supported him. What happens in the main part of the battle, as McCook's troops begin running dangerously low on ammunition?
May 1863: As is likely well-known to this site's numerous Longstreet enthusiasts, from 11-13 May he held discussions with Lee about taking two of his divisions to middle Tennessee to join Bragg, combining with Johnston's forces, and attacking Rosecrans. It was hoped that a victory here would force Grant to divert his attention from Vicksburg, relieving the pressure there. While I am intrigued by this, I don't know if Longstreet could get his men to Tennessee and defeat Rosecrans before Grant wins at Champion Hill and the Big Black, dooming Vicksburg's defenders.
September 1863: My favorite moment from my favorite battle - D. H. Hill's delayed attack at Chickamauga. Bragg had intended Hill to strike the Union left at sunrise, but a serious of errors led to him attacking five hours late, after the defenders had constructed breastworks. Could a attack launched on time have had any real effect on the battle?
September 1861: Both Grant and Polk were planning to invade Kentucky, but what if Fremont had ordered Grant to occupy Paducah before Polk and Pillow made their move? I don't consider it beyond the realm of possibility for this to sway many more Kentuckians to the pro-Southern stance, especially if Fremont extends his emancipation order to Kentucky.
December 1861: Braxton Bragg was offered command of the Trans-Mississippi Department by Davis in December of 1861, but he declined, with the command then offered to Henry Heth before Earl Van Dorn finally accepted it. While Bragg had several significant drawbacks as a commander, he was a superb organizer, and I can't see him making the same mistakes that Van Dorn did at Elkhorn Tavern.
December 1862: As mentioned in @Generic Username's thread on the battle, John Wharton's cavalry had reached the Nashville Pike during Murfreesboro, and could have held it had Wheeler supported him. What happens in the main part of the battle, as McCook's troops begin running dangerously low on ammunition?
May 1863: As is likely well-known to this site's numerous Longstreet enthusiasts, from 11-13 May he held discussions with Lee about taking two of his divisions to middle Tennessee to join Bragg, combining with Johnston's forces, and attacking Rosecrans. It was hoped that a victory here would force Grant to divert his attention from Vicksburg, relieving the pressure there. While I am intrigued by this, I don't know if Longstreet could get his men to Tennessee and defeat Rosecrans before Grant wins at Champion Hill and the Big Black, dooming Vicksburg's defenders.
September 1863: My favorite moment from my favorite battle - D. H. Hill's delayed attack at Chickamauga. Bragg had intended Hill to strike the Union left at sunrise, but a serious of errors led to him attacking five hours late, after the defenders had constructed breastworks. Could a attack launched on time have had any real effect on the battle?