Union High Command Question (Chattanooga Falls)

[Wizard of Cozz]

Wanted to separate this from my Alt Story. Was curious everyone's thoughts. In a scenario where the Confederates take Chattanooga before Grant and Sherman arrive, let's say the AoC retreats for whatever reason, how does the Union High Command shake out?

A couple things to consider.

1.) Grant was made commander of the Military Division of the Mississippi on October 16th historically. In this consideration I pose, would Grant still get that as there is no siege of Chattanooga to lift?

2.) Without a siege of Chattanooga which Grant lifts is he still called East?

3.) If Grant is called East, is he made Commander of all Union Forces and promoted to LTG? I do think he probably is called East, BUT does he get made commander of all Union Forces without a win at Chattanooga?

4.) A scenario where the Confederates take Chattanooga and Stevenson most likely leads to the Union falling back to at least Tullahoma or more likely Murfreesboro due to supply situation. In this situation I find it extremely difficult for Grant to manufacture a win in the late fall due to the length of travel back over the Cumberland Plateau. Are there any opportunities for him to find this win?

In considering all of these what do you all think the Lincoln administration would do in this scenario? Please share your thoughts.

 

[dlofting]

My question would be, "How did the Army of the Cumberland get out of Chattanooga?

I'm assuming that any defeat that allows Bragg to take Chattanooga is worse for the Union than what happened at Chickamauga, so all the other questions become moot.

 

[Wizard of Cozz]

My question would be, "How did the Army of the Cumberland get out of Chattanooga?

I'm assuming that any defeat that allows Bragg to take Chattanooga is worse for the Union than what happened at Chickamauga, so all the other questions become moot.

It is bit why would all others become moot?

 

[dlofting]

It is bit why would all others become moot?

If the Army of the Cumberland is trapped in Chattanooga and has to surrender or is seriously mauled defending it, the whole course of the war changes, not just what happens to Grant.

To me, it's too much of a "what if" stretch to even be considered.

 

[Wizard of Cozz]

If the Army of the Cumberland is trapped in Chattanooga and has to surrender or is seriously mauled defending it, the whole course of the war changes, not just what happens to Grant.

To me, it's too much of a "what if" stretch to even be considered.

This is literally in the what if forum.

 

[SWS]

I can still see Grant receiving the geographic command. There is still a depressing crisis to be managed in Tennessee with a defeated army and arriving reinforcements, the latter forces requiring coordination and reorganization.

I think Grant needs one more successful campaign post-Vicksburg to be elevated to the highest military office in the land. But maybe not.

I think the difficulties presented by the Cumberland Mountains are enough to delay a major Federal offensive until the spring, by which point Chattanooga will have resisted permanent capture for two years. And God knows the sheer political pressure exercised by Washington in demanding a forward movement in Tennessee. Perhaps Sherman can be used to some effect in Northern Alabama from Corinth.

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

If Rosecrans' army goes fleeing back across the Tennessee River, or worse, then I think Grant is tasked with savaging the situation in Tennessee.

If Grant is made General-in-Chief he gets the promotion to Lt. General. Too many Major Generals, especially Halleck, had seniority.

If there is no crisis in Chattanooga it raises the question of what to do with Grant now that the Mississippi River has been secured.

Sherman was already leading the Army of the Tennessee east from Corinth to Chattanooga on a railroad repair mission, IIRC. The two main western armies operating together against Atlanta in 1864 is probably going to happen regardless. In that case, Grant probably still gets elevated to the Military Division of the Mississippi during the winter of 1863-64. Rosecrans will be headed elsewhere, one way or the other, because he and Grant will not coexist and Lincoln prefers Grant.

 

[fyrd]

Somewhat related question, does anyone know if Lincoln ever considered replacing Meade with anyone other than Grant?

 

[Wizard of Cozz]

Somewhat related question, does anyone know if Lincoln ever considered replacing Meade with anyone other than Grant?

If its not Grant and he is definitely replacing Meade its a small stable of possible officers.

Sedgwick, Hancock in the AoP. Sherman or McPherson out west. Maybe Banks after Port Hudson

 

[milhistbuff1]

If Minty/Wilder refit I could see them pairing with Grierson to delay CSA progress in TN. E.g attacking rail links connecting Atlanta to the front. This would buy time for Dodge/Sherman/Grant/Hooker to unite with AotC

A lot depends on what CSA does, push further west in TN and/or attempt to reopen the Tn/VA rail link via Knoxville.

What's going on elsewhere E.g VA/ NC et al. After AOP's mauling and now AoTC's, trained/veteran troops are in high demand.

I can see Grant getting called east if he retakes TN.

I also read in Gallagher's edt. Struggle for the Shenandoah that Grant initially planned to send Meade to the Valley instead of Sheridan. Lincoln opposed in OTL but with your alt timeline, it's a lot more likely Lincoln agrees.

Another factor i see is:

Does Thomas's and McCook/Crittenden's wings reunite before Grant et al arrive? Assuming Rosecrans lives, safe to say Thomas or Crittenden acting commander of AotC.

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

If its not Grant and he is definitely replacing Meade its a small stable of possible officers.

Sedgwick, Hancock in the AoP. Sherman or McPherson out west. Maybe Banks after Port Hudson

I think it would be hard to justify replacing Meade with anyone but Grant in early 1864. Despite the less than stellar relations between Meade and Halleck & Lincoln, it was nothing compared to the problems with his predecessors. Maybe if the Joint Conduct Committee had destroyed his reputation.

As it was, Hancock's health preluded his promotion. I don't think Banks, as a political general, gets the chance. Grant would have liked Sherman, but needed him in Georgia. As much as Grant and Sherman liked McPherson I don't think they would have put him in charge of the AotP. It might be Sedgwick by default.

Grant technically never replaced Meade, though in practice he mostly superseded him.

 

[Aaron Vinson]

My question would be, "How did the Army of the Cumberland get out of Chattanooga?

True, transport was very bad and if its around October time the roads would be pretty bad, especially if they tried to get back to Bridgeport/Stevenson. Sorry to say I'm not sure what Union command would do in this scenario but I think it would be very bad. From a tactical/operational view and press/propaganda view, this would be the darkest time for the Union. (Be rest assured knowing Rosecans is definitley getting sacked )

 

[Stryker65]

I think Grant needs one more successful campaign post-Vicksburg to be elevated to the highest military office in the land.

Agree with this. Chattanooga following Vicksburg were two successive victories by a single Union commander, something that hadn't been done since, well, Grant took Henry and Donelson.

David Hunter and Samuel R. Curtis are available, but I fear I'm the lone supporter for them here.