Fearless Leader
Donor
Okay, say political events force Grant's hand into attacking the Confederate lines around Petersburg in mid-March 1865 (OTL attack took place April 2). Keep in mind that Grant's original plan was to attack March 29th, and that the Confederate Army in OTL is not weakened by the Battles of Fort Stedman and Five Forks.
Would the added strength and concentration of the Confederate Army be enough to inflict another "Cold Harbor" on Grant's army? If so, would this be enough to remove Grant from command? Who would replace him? Assuming the Union takes losses akin (greater?) to Cold Harbor, would this be enough to buy Lee enough time to escape Richmond and link up with Johnson?
I'm not so much interested about the prospects of a continued Confederate resistance, but rather the possibility of disgracing Grant and eliminating any possibility of his presidency.
Would the added strength and concentration of the Confederate Army be enough to inflict another "Cold Harbor" on Grant's army? If so, would this be enough to remove Grant from command? Who would replace him? Assuming the Union takes losses akin (greater?) to Cold Harbor, would this be enough to buy Lee enough time to escape Richmond and link up with Johnson?
I'm not so much interested about the prospects of a continued Confederate resistance, but rather the possibility of disgracing Grant and eliminating any possibility of his presidency.