OldReliable1862
First Sergeant
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2017
- Location
- Georgia
The answer to this question is, of course, yes - in March 1865, when it was far too late. In November 1864, Davis proposed arming 40,000 slaves to no result. There was also Cleburne's infamous January 1864 proposal to arm slaves in exchange for their freedom at the war's completion, also to no result.
My question: was there even a chance the Confederacy would have armed slaves when there was still even a glimmer of hope to not lose the war? My own tentative answer is that there was never really a chance. Most Southerners would never accept it, and many soldiers would likely have mutinied or deserted. Davis' many political enemies, such as Robert Toombs, Joseph E. Brown, Alexander H. Stephens and Zebulon B. Vance would be at the head of the outrage. Davis may even have found his actions grounds for impeachment proceedings.
Despite this, one idea I had was this:
- Point of divergence: William H. T. Walker is killed at Chickamauga.
- Cleburne approaches Johnston privately with his proposal. Johnston suggests sending it to the president, but recommends sending through Robert E. Lee.
- Lee brings it to Davis, and he and Judah Benjamin bring him round to the idea. Lee publicly approves Cleburne's proposal, somewhat calming the outrage. Yet here I still can't see Lee's support making a difference.
But what say you?
My question: was there even a chance the Confederacy would have armed slaves when there was still even a glimmer of hope to not lose the war? My own tentative answer is that there was never really a chance. Most Southerners would never accept it, and many soldiers would likely have mutinied or deserted. Davis' many political enemies, such as Robert Toombs, Joseph E. Brown, Alexander H. Stephens and Zebulon B. Vance would be at the head of the outrage. Davis may even have found his actions grounds for impeachment proceedings.
Despite this, one idea I had was this:
- Point of divergence: William H. T. Walker is killed at Chickamauga.
- Cleburne approaches Johnston privately with his proposal. Johnston suggests sending it to the president, but recommends sending through Robert E. Lee.
- Lee brings it to Davis, and he and Judah Benjamin bring him round to the idea. Lee publicly approves Cleburne's proposal, somewhat calming the outrage. Yet here I still can't see Lee's support making a difference.
But what say you?