Bring the Old Jubalee - A More Successful Confederate Attack on Washington

Yes, and the proto-Radicals screamed bloody murder at the time.

It’s important to remember that Lincoln’s action were in the context of uniting the entire North and keeping the border states on the Union side, and he was able to assemble a moderate coalition to keep him afloat. The Radicals answer only to their base and see all outside their base as Copperheads, so they actually can’t countermand Sherman, even if they were so inclined, since the base would turn on them.
This is what could bring down the Radicals; if they want Reconstruction to be a success. the Radicals will have to forge a coalition with more moderate and conservative factions. So far, their actions, while giving them power, are alienating everyone else. This is why Lincoln was successful in building a coalition; he was a shrewd politician. Even if he disagreed with someone, he was at least willing to listen to them and take their views into consideration when formulating policy.
 

Md139115

Banned
This is what could bring down the Radicals; if they want Reconstruction to be a success. the Radicals will have to forge a coalition with more moderate and conservative factions. So far, their actions, while giving them power, are alienating everyone else. This is why Lincoln was successful in building a coalition; he was a shrewd politician. Even if he disagreed with someone, he was at least willing to listen to them and take their views into consideration when formulating policy.

Or they could just double down and take advantage of the disenfranchisement of Southern Whites and the gratitude of the ex-slaves to go full French Revolution on all who disagree.
 
I got to say that I've really enjoyed this timeline thus far. It has a rather unique POD for a Civil War timeline, with a unique premise, and it is very well researched and written. I will watch this timeline with great interest!

I will say that it is all but assured at this point that the Union will win the war, nothing can stop that at this point in all honesty. The real question is how bloody the last few months will be and what does the post war reconstruction look like, my guess is that it will be a lot more radical and thorough than the Reconstruction of OTL. I'm also curious to see how US politics develop in this timeline after this war considering the ramifications the Sham Election will have going forward, not to mention the relocation of the US capital to Philadelphia.
 
I got to say that I've really enjoyed this timeline thus far. It has a rather unique POD for a Civil War timeline, with a unique premise, and it is very well researched and written. I will watch this timeline with great interest!

I will say that it is all but assured at this point that the Union will win the war, nothing can stop that at this point in all honesty. The real question is how bloody the last few months will be and what does the post war reconstruction look like, my guess is that it will be a lot more radical and thorough than the Reconstruction of OTL. I'm also curious to see how US politics develop in this timeline after this war considering the ramifications the Sham Election will have going forward, not to mention the relocation of the US capital to Philadelphia.

I agree I'm looking forward to seeing how the US evolves this timeline the radical republicans have opened Pandora's box with the 1864 election that the US avoided in OTL with the Shame election. Very intrested to see how you have this play out.
 

Pax

Banned
Here's where some politicians should object; military officers should NOT be making political policy. Seizing land from property owners is a political decision, not a military one. While the Radicals may agree with Sherman's order, they should remind him that he cannot issue such an order as it infringes on the powers of the civilian government. IOTL, early in the war, Lincoln relieved Fremont of his Missouri command because he was freeing slaves of Union loyalists without government approval. If the Radicals want to redistribute land, that should be a part of postwar Reconstruction.
That makes sense; concentrate on winning the war first, that way the Radicals will not be able to use the War as an excuse for drastic actions.
Why? If anything, an earlier seizure of the Fort would have helped the National Unionists immensely. Remember you don't need to take the city; capture Fort Fisher and the port is sealed off.
True, but Radical behavior could make it more difficult to settle issues like the Alabama Claims.
Not likely; the Fort and other batteries had Whitworth rifled cannons with a range of five miles. Also the Confederates laid mines on the landward side; the Union warships would have to get in close to bombard the landward defenses and destroy the minefields. It should be noted the ships will not take a lot of fire; Lamb had to conserve his limited ammunition for the ground assault.

BTW here's an article on the history of Fort Fisher.


Yes...but if the battle of Fort Fisher goes wrong, which it nearly did ITTL...

I knew there was a problem with ammunition, but I guess I misread about the guns' range at Fisher. Maybe I'm conflating Fort Fisher with some other battle. At any rate the Confederates' ability to disrupt the naval bombardment is low.
 
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