Lee Goes West

[Hoplite]

So what happens if Davis actually orders Lee to go west in late 1863. Lee had demurred and said he would if ordered.
Do Confederate fortunes get significantly better with Bragg out of the way, and a reinforced army (assuming Longstreet and two divisions go along) ?
Who would take over for Lee in the East- Beauregard or Joe Johnston?

 

[BillO]

So the South wins Tennessee and Kentucky and the Federals quickly take everything else.

 

[Scott1967]

So what happens if Davis actually orders Lee to go west in late 1863. Lee had demurred and said he would if ordered.
Do Confederate fortunes get significantly better with Bragg out of the way, and a reinforced army (assuming Longstreet and two divisions go along) ?
Who would take over for Lee in the East- Beauregard or Joe Johnston?

I'm not sure anyone could turn around the fortunes of the confederacy in the West by late 1863 the Union had the manpower and the rivers not to mention the recruitment of thousands of black soldiers for garrison duty that relieved many veteran soldiers from menial guard duties in supply depots and such.

The South needed Manpower , Mules and Food in the West and I'm not sure Lee even if he was successful in a few battles could sustain the losses his type of command dictates.

Johnston was the best fit for AoT imho.

 

[scooter748driver]

So the South wins Tennessee and Kentucky and the Federals quickly take everything else.

I agree that by 1863 the west was a lost cause in the long run. I think Lee would have maybe given up less ground as quickly but I think the outcome would have been the same. Perhaps Vicksburg would have become a Petersburg in the sense of holding out or not being forced back upon the town as quickly.

 

[Irishtom29]

If Grant could give Lee fits using the somewhat sluggish Army of the Potomac imagine the knots he would've tied Lee in using the peppier Armies of the Tennessee (under Uncle Billy) and the Cumberland (under Thomas). I think Grant would've
dealt with Lee in shorter order than in the East.

Meanwhile in the East the Potomac army, ponderous but tough and under the capable leadership of Meade could clean up in the East, as BillO has pointed out. After all, there was nobody to put in command of the Army of Northern Virginia nearly as capable as Meade, much less Lee. The rebellion had a lack of high level talent.

 

[jackt62]

There are many good reasons why Lee would not necessarily have made an easy transition to command the AoT or any other Confederate western force. Notwithstanding Lee's abilities, much of his success should also be attributed to the superior organization, background, and officer corps of the ANV. Not to mention the smaller, more defensible geographical territory, easier logistics and communications, and Lee's greater familiarity with the terrain that prevailed in Virginia and the eastern seat of war. Lee understood these factors and undoubtedly was a key reason in his ongoing reluctance to leave the ANV.

 

[Dead Parrott]

I think Lee would have done better in the West then several of the existing CSA generals. But I don't think he would have significantly changed the outcome.

I also agree with other posters about the impact it would have in the East.

In Real Life it's hard to imagine Lee abandoning his beloved State to its fate.

 

[jackt62]

In Real Life it's hard to imagine Lee abandoning his beloved State to its fate.

Not only that, outside of cavalry duty in Texas and engineering duty in St. Louis, Lee had not spent a tremendous amount of time in the west. As a member of the coveted Corps of Engineers, Lee's career was heavily oriented towards building fortifications along the east coast, and his early CW commands featured roles in South Carolina and western Virginia. It has been noted that the makeup of the armies, whether north or south, had distinct differences between easterners and westerners. So, Lee would have been understandably more comfortable commanding troops in Virginia.

 

[Scott1967]

Not only that, outside of cavalry duty in Texas and engineering duty in St. Louis, Lee had not spent a tremendous amount of time in the west. As a member of the coveted Corps of Engineers, Lee's career was heavily oriented towards building fortifications along the east coast, and his early CW commands featured roles in South Carolina and western Virginia. It has been noted that the makeup of the armies, whether north or south, had distinct differences between easterners and westerners. So, Lee would have been understandably more comfortable commanding troops in Virginia.

I believe he was in charge of strengthening the defences of Charleston and Savannah when he was called back.

 

[BillO]

There are many good reasons why Lee would not necessarily have made an easy transition to command the AoT or any other Confederate western force. Notwithstanding Lee's abilities, much of his success should also be attributed to the superior organization, background, and officer corps of the ANV. Not to mention the smaller, more defensible geographical territory, easier logistics and communications, and Lee's greater familiarity with the terrain that prevailed in Virginia and the eastern seat of war. Lee understood these factors and undoubtedly was a key reason in his ongoing reluctance to leave the ANV.

Read up on Lee in the Mexican war.

 

[wausaubob]

There are many good reasons why Lee would not necessarily have made an easy transition to command the AoT or any other Confederate western force. Notwithstanding Lee's abilities, much of his success should also be attributed to the superior organization, background, and officer corps of the ANV. Not to mention the smaller, more defensible geographical territory, easier logistics and communications, and Lee's greater familiarity with the terrain that prevailed in Virginia and the eastern seat of war. Lee understood these factors and undoubtedly was a key reason in his ongoing reluctance to leave the ANV.

Richmond had iron mills. munitions plants, and flour mills. Virginia had a canal, railroads and good roads. Richmond was the best place for the Confederates to fight. Elsewhere the US had the advantage because its ability to build raiilroads and even steamboats anywhere they were wanted

 

[Stryker65]

What do y'all think about Longstreet in command of the Army of Northern Virginia? Personally I'd say he'd do some good defensive tactics, maybe cause the Union to try a couple Cold Harbor-esque attacks ... ?
-Stryker