Knoxville

[atlantis]

Was it possible for Longstreet to take Knoxville or was it a useless operation.

 

[lelliott19]

Could Longstreet's force have successfully taken Knoxville? Yes, absolutely, but not in the way it was attempted. Could they have held it is another question entirely.

Was it a useless operation? The method and timing of the attempt, as it occurred, was useless.

If @Norman Dasinger Jr will weigh in, I'm sure he can provide better answers.

 

[Lubliner]

@atlantis you are asking a pretty sharp question (not the only one!). Looking on the strategy at that point in the war; why Longstreet was sent first in support to Bragg; then the aftermath of Chickamauga with the orchestration of dispensing those same forces to Knoxville. Whose idea it was and why, need consideration, and @lelliott19 makes a good point on the timing! The advantages would have been extreme for the confederacy for supplies. That is a good reason, but was it really just an excuse to separate commands?
Lubliner.

 

[atlantis]

@atlantis you are asking a pretty sharp question (not the only one!). Looking on the strategy at that point in the war; why Longstreet was sent first in support to Bragg; then the aftermath of Chickamauga with the orchestration of dispensing those same forces to Knoxville. Whose idea it was and why, need consideration, and @lelliott19 makes a good point on the timing! The advantages would have been extreme for the confederacy for supplies. That is a good reason, but was it really just an excuse to separate commands?
Lubliner.

We think about Atlanta and I am not denying its importance but east Tenn. was just as important not only in terms of rail link but wasn't it also a source of copper for the confederacy.

 

[Lubliner]

We think about Atlanta and I am not denying its importance but east Tenn. was just as important not only in terms of rail link but wasn't it also a source of copper for the confederacy.

You know that is a really good point with Copperhill nearby, but I have seldom heard much about it during the Civil War. Nickajack Cave was a source for nitre, and also sawmills and grist mills were prevalent. All this is near the border of Tennessee and Georgia, but I do know assets were available northerly, but maybe of a different type.
Lubliner.