Confederate Washington: Then What?

Basically put, if somehow, the CSA is able to come into possession of Washington DC, win the war of secession, and keep it in the peace treaty (Maryland seceding?), what happens to the former US capital?

It seams unlikely to me that they would move the capital from Richmond for two reasons. Firstly, logistically, even if Maryland secedes, it's still rather close to the US border and, secondly, i find it hard to believe that the states and many politicians, who seceded to be free of federal control from Washington in the first place, would accept it.

So what does the CSA do with the place?
 
I always thought that the CSA would just hold it hostage to get a peace agreement from the Union. Any expansion in areas like that would only earn more hostility from the Union, so I think holding it after the war is a bad idea.
 
They evacuate it when the Union shows up with everything they've got.

BTW, how exactly did the Confederates manage to take it? It's not as though the Union doesn't know it's important; by 1862 it's the most heavily fortified place on the continent, heavily garrisoned, and well supplied. The Confederates would have to defeat the Army of the Potomac, plus any subsidiary field forces, then lay seige to it while fending off the inevitable relief forces. It is most unlikely they could take it, and less likely they would be permitted to keep it.

And if you're thinking the Comfederates could take it in 1861 they didn't yet have their act together; most units were poorly trained, most officers were still learning their trade, and Confederate staff work was abysmal. Not that the Union was much better, but the Confederates simply do not have the force to take Washington until 1862 and by then it's too late.
 
Already too late, IMHO. Now, if Virginia state troops had moved to take control of Washington within a few days of seceding, they might have easily done so.

I think you are right but they won't keep it long. Northern troops will kick them out within a few days. Within short order DC became a fortress.
 
Requires Maryland seceding - and the sooner they try it, the likelier they are to win. Delaware may or may not secede as well, especially if Maryland goes early.

DC is probably returned to Confederate Maryland on the model of the return of Virginia's portion of the District. The town's Southern heritage/character is played up (Washington and Jefferson were Virginians, after all) and it becomes an imporant Confederate fortress city.
 
Requires Maryland seceding - and the sooner they try it, the likelier they are to win. Delaware may or may not secede as well, especially if Maryland goes early.

DC is probably returned to Confederate Maryland on the model of the return of Virginia's portion of the District. The town's Southern heritage/character is played up (Washington and Jefferson were Virginians, after all) and it becomes an imporant Confederate fortress city.


Deleware is a no go from the start. There weren't nearly enough slaves in Deleware for it to secede.
 
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