Flatlander Rebs

[Ellsworth avenger]

I'm throwing out the idea that the Confederate Armies generally were prudent in not attacking,or avoided attacking ,fixed elavated Union positions.I contend however that when attempted, their failure rate exceeds the unions.Henry Hill house,and Jackson's valley campaign being important exceptions.
Is this the area of proof,that generally speaking,shows that the south really never had the power to win this war.
Garfield to Rosecrans "Thomas is standing like a rock."

 

[RobertP]

I'm throwing out the idea that the Confederate Armies generally were prudent in not attacking,or avoided attacking ,fixed elavated Union positions.I contend however that when attempted, their failure rate exceeds the unions.Henry Hill house,and Jackson's valley campaign being important exceptions.
Is this the area of proof,that generally speaking,shows that the south really never had the power to win this war.
Garfield to Rosecrans "Thomas is standing like a rock."

Not sure either side had much success in attacking their dug-in opponent. As Jackson said, he occasionally failed to take a position, but never to defend one. The rifled musket changed the game, but the Generals never did seem to fully get it.

 

[Ellsworth avenger]

Agreed,Though the Union army succeeded at important moments in the taking of South Mountain,Vicksburg and Missionary Ridge,where the confederates failed to press home victories at Malvern Hill,Snodgrass hill,and Cemetary Ridge. These heights were all exceedingly important enough to expend all available resources,the Confederate army was just not able to muster enough.

"My logistricians are a humorless lot,...they know if my campaign fails,they are the first ones I will slay."Alexander

 

[RobertP]

Agreed,Though the Union army succeeded at important moments in the taking of South Mountain,Vicksburg and Missionary Ridge,

Grant tried 2 major assaults on the Vicksburg defenses after the siege began and both were repulsed with heavy losses. So he decided to just starve 'em out, which he did.

 

[Ellsworth avenger]

Once again agreed;Grant had the resources to cunduct such a siege,amplifying how powerful the Union army was.The failure to lift the siege amplifies the Confederate weakness.

 

[dvrmte]

The battles fought over the passes of South Mountain were divisions against brigades. They were delaying actions at best.

I read and have posted the link somewhere on this site before that the AoT rarely built there fortifications on the military crest of a hill. Researchers are perplexed as why this was done. This defect was noticed on entrenchments around Chattanooga and from Dalton to Atlanta. It happened under Bragg and Johnston so commanders didn't make the difference.

The same researchers noted the AoNV practically always located there entrenchments on the military crest. Some exceptions were parts of the lines at Cold Harbor and Spotsylvania that may have been dug in the dark.

There is much speculation as why it existed in the AoT and not in the AoNV. I don't have an opinion yet.

dvrmte

 

[Ellsworth avenger]

The battles fought over the passes of South Mountain were divisions against brigades. They were delaying actions at best.

I read and have posted the link somewhere on this site before that the AoT rarely built there fortifications on the military crest of a hill. Researchers are perplexed as why this was done. This defect was noticed on entrenchments around Chattanooga and from Dalton to Atlanta. It happened under Bragg and Johnston so commanders didn't make the difference.

The same researchers noted the AoNV practically always located there entrenchments on the military crest. Some exceptions were parts of the lines at Cold Harbor and Spotsylvania that may have been dug in the dark.

There is much speculation as why it existed in the AoT and not in the AoNV. I don't have an opinion yet.

dvrmte

I'll be curious of your summation on the trenches.South Mountain fits my theory in that another 5,ooo troops at lee's disposal would have defended the position,but thats sounds to much like a what if ,so i'll withdraw South Mountain and substitute Rappahonnock Station.