A very tough job. AS Johnston commanding the West with the fundamental problem of having too long a line, with too few men, against too many enemies. You also had the disadvantage of facing some very capable and aggressive generals as opponents. The Union did well in this theater, but was not without its setbacks. For example, Shiloh could have ended in disaster for the Union. And the CSA won a nice victory at Chickamauga.
So my question is this - with the right leadership, could the CSA have exploited some of its victories (destroy Grant or Rosecrans?) and stalemated the Federal army in the west? Or was this an utterly thankless and hopeless job?
I've always wondered - if JEJ was not wounded, and if Lee was sent West. Would it have mattered, or are you just wasting a very good general in a no-win situation?
So my question is this - with the right leadership, could the CSA have exploited some of its victories (destroy Grant or Rosecrans?) and stalemated the Federal army in the west? Or was this an utterly thankless and hopeless job?
I've always wondered - if JEJ was not wounded, and if Lee was sent West. Would it have mattered, or are you just wasting a very good general in a no-win situation?