alternatehistory.com

There is an obsession with getting a southern victory in the Civil War, but there is one POD that is underused: Grant's advance on Shiloh. That essentially kicked the CSA out of Kentucky and most of Tennessee. Both sides were fighting over Kentucky quite a bit, and it seems likely Lincoln'd remove many of the troops placed elsewhere in OTL to secure Kentucky.

How do we stop the advance? It was considered "reckless" and "Preposterous". Has it not been for a few key words from Lincoln, the plan to sail down the Tennessee would never have gotten off the ground. IF Lincoln hadn't pushed for a victory so much, or if a victory had occurred in the region under Major General Henry W. Halleck, the assault on Fort Henry would never have occurred. As a result, the Confederate States of America would not be beaten back out of Tennessee as fast, and even if elsewhere the war unfolds in much the same way, the south would hold Tennessee for longer, perhaps demoralizing the Union. Even if it didn't, it would mean it would take longer to get into the deep south through Tennessee.

Despite all the chances this POD has, I've never once seen it used in a work of fiction.
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