Stonewall Jackson

[ole]

An example of Grant's learning curve. He sent off diversions to Confederate mounted, slapped Johnston at Jackson and then turned to investing Vicksburg. It took 47 days, but Vicksburg collapsed.

By the way, there are 47 steps to the Illinois monument at Vicksburg.

 

[Sons of Liberty]

It is hard to imagine Jackson leaving his beloved Virginia to fight at Vicksburg, not likely in my opinion, but it makes a good "what if".

 

[zeke]

I think it makes little difference. Lets say Jackson lives,and it all works out at Gettysburg. Lee wins a tactical victory, and Meade falls back to his pipe creek defense line. Does Lee continue the attack, or complete his foraging mission and return to Virginia. Does it matter? The army of the potomac was resilient, and it is hard to believe Lee could have destroyed it. After most of Lee's victories, his army had suffered as many or more casualties than his foes. In the end the real problem for the confederacy was finding a army commander in the west who could cope with Grant and Sherman.

 

[Sons of Liberty]

I think it makes little difference. Lets say Jackson lives,and it all works out at Gettysburg. Lee wins a tactical victory, and Meade falls back to his pipe creek defense line. Does Lee continue the attack, or complete his foraging mission and return to Virginia. Does it matter? The army of the potomac was resilient, and it is hard to believe Lee could have destroyed it. After most of Lee's victories, his army had suffered as many or more casualties than his foes. In the end the real problem for the confederacy was finding a army commander in the west who could cope with Grant and Sherman.

That there is one hard couple of hombres to cope with. Merry Christmas!

 

[diane]

I think it makes little difference. Lets say Jackson lives,and it all works out at Gettysburg. Lee wins a tactical victory, and Meade falls back to his pipe creek defense line. Does Lee continue the attack, or complete his foraging mission and return to Virginia. Does it matter? The army of the potomac was resilient, and it is hard to believe Lee could have destroyed it. After most of Lee's victories, his army had suffered as many or more casualties than his foes. In the end the real problem for the confederacy was finding a army commander in the west who could cope with Grant and Sherman.

That's where I think attrition worked for the Union and against the Confederacy. The Union army was loaded with old timers and lifers who had only peace time service, maybe some time with Indians or the Mexican War - they were disabled or killed early which allowed younger men like Grant to come forward. The Confederates had very good officers who led from the front, like A S Johnston, and were killed or disabled early on. Only they weren't holding anyone back - their army was new and didn't have as many people to come forward. By the time Grant and Sherman teamed up, a good portion of the Southern commanders were already gone. (That's not why they won the war, by the way!)

 

[Elennsar]

I'm not sure attrition really impacted the top command of the Confederacy. Of the initial generals (of full rank) appointed, only one died (Sidney Johnston), and the only Lieutenant General who died that comes to mind (besides Jackson) didn't die soon enough (Polk).

Edit: DERP! Ignore initial error.

Went mercilessly through the ranks of brigade command, especially in the ANV, but not so much senior officers.