Winter maneuvers

[atlantis]

The ANV had failures on the battlefield was any consideration given to large scale winter maneuvers to polish up Corp and Division command ability to handle their commands in the field.

 

[35th MA InfRegt]

The ANV had failures on the battlefield was any consideration given to large scale winter maneuvers to polish up Corp and Division command ability to handle their commands in the field.

I wouldn't think so. Firstly, the same conditions that inhibit mobile warfare during the winter would impede maneuvers. Second, conducting training maneuvers in a theater of operations is liable to be mistaken by the enemy for the real deal with who knows what consequences. Thirdly, the field armies may not be able to spare the formations from operational duties so they could conduct maneuvers. Fourthly, the field armies may not be able to support such training exercises without compromising operational logistics. And fifthly, there is simply no tradition or understanding (let alone capability) in the US Army of the necessity to exercise formations so I highly doubt the Confederates would either

In fact, even the British with their much larger army, only began training exercises at brigade level in the Home Isles on the very eve of the Crimean War (at least one field maneuver involving about 10,00 troops took place in about 1852 in India). The United States Army wouldn't conduct its first field maneuver (about 5,000 troops) until 1902, and the first peacetime training exercise with a provisional division didn't happen until 1911. Prussia, by contrast, had been doing field maneuvers at a division and corps level since the Napoleonic Wars.

I think field maneuvers and a proper training program would have benefited both armies but it simply wasn't possible for the Confederacy.

 

[atlantis]

I wouldn't think so. Firstly, the same conditions that inhibit mobile warfare during the winter would impede maneuvers. Second, conducting training maneuvers in a theater of operations is liable to be mistaken by the enemy for the real deal with who knows what consequences. Thirdly, the field armies may not be able to spare the formations from operational duties so they could conduct maneuvers. Fourthly, the field armies may not be able to support such training exercises without compromising operational logistics. And fifthly, there is simply no tradition or understanding (let alone capability) in the US Army of the necessity to exercise formations so I highly doubt the Confederates would either

In fact, even the British with their much larger army, only began training exercises at brigade level in the Home Isles on the very eve of the Crimean War (at least one field maneuver involving about 10,00 troops took place in about 1852 in India). The United States Army wouldn't conduct its first field maneuver (about 5,000 troops) until 1902, and the first peacetime training exercise with a provisional division didn't happen until 1911. Prussia, by contrast, had been doing field maneuvers at a division and corps level since the Napoleonic Wars.

I think field maneuvers and a proper training program would have benefited both armies but it simply wasn't possible for the Confederacy.

What could be done to improve combat readiness during the downtime of winter.

 

[Lampasas Bill]

What could be done to improve combat readiness during the downtime of winter.

Among other things, getting as much rest as possible to make up for the exertion and stress of the campaign season. The horses and mules expecially would need to build up their strength.

 

[35th MA InfRegt]

What could be done to improve combat readiness during the downtime of winter.

To be honest, I am not really certain. About all I can think of offhand is that some elementary instruction in marksmanship couldn't hurt.

 

[RadBaron]

What could be done to improve combat readiness during the downtime of winter.

Drill I would think. A well drilled unit would be more combat effective though a 'green' unit would likely be poor in its first engagement either way. It really depends on the unit, the winter, and the location. A regiment in the ANV in December of 1864 needs very different things than an AotP regiment in January of 1862.

 

[7thWisconsin]

Have you ever walked on ice with leather soled shoes? Driven a wagon on an icy road? Or, even worse a cannon and limber? Cleared a path or road without a modern snowshovel? What do you do when a January thaw sinks your wheeled vehicles in the mud? (Looking at you Mr Burnside.) Armies had no choice but to go into winter quarters because you couldn't maneuver in the weather. Jackson nearly destroyed his own army marching on Romney. Sherman could march all over the deep south from November to March but the weather is mild there. Still his soldiers complained about the cold. In Virginia you simply can't maneuver an army in winter conditions. War was pretty much a seasonal thing.