DBWI: Lee Joins CSA

As we know Lee was a Virginian but he decided to stay with the US Army during the ACW. However, recently we discovered letters showing Lee seriously discussed joining the CSA. What if he did? Would it change the length of the War? Would Grant rise further up the ranks?
 
Well things would definitely be better for the rebels. Lee actually wind up driving Lincoln up the wall by his insistence that the Army of the Potomac was thoroughly organized and trained, before moving in and taking Richmond. Another Union commander might have moved quicker, but then he might have botched the campaign.

Here are some questions that come to mind:

1. Does Lee's decision to join Virginia cause other defections? Winfield Scott himself, JE Johnston, and George Thomas were all from Virginia and if Lee had stayed with his state they might have done the same, well probably not Scott but we know Johnston seriously considered it.

2. Who gets put in charge of the Army of the Potomac otherwise? Especially if there are other defections to the CSA the US does not exactly have a deep bench among senior generals. Grant himself was a case of being in the right place at the right time at Fort Donelson, they might have even tried him at the Army of the Potomac though I agree his career was helped by someone spotting his talent.

3. Where does lee fit in the CSA command structure? Presumably he takes Beauregard's job in Virginia, but they might have used him to strengthen their coastal defenses or as some sort of advisor to Davis.

If Lee is a field commander, he might delay the capture of Richmond. The war drags on while Lincoln, who didn't know the army well, struggles to get the senior positions filled competently. Eventually the greater resources of the northern states prevail. But they might get exahusted into some sort of compromise peace or armistice, especially if the UK and France move to assist the Confederates. Ironically, if the war drags on the eventual peace terms might be harsher, which is not good for the Southern planter class.
 

jahenders

Banned
That's pretty hard to imagine. Lee has been lauded for his loyalty so for him to betray his country and his military oath of office, just because some in his state and some neighbors felt that the president's politics MIGHT, EVENTUALLY threaten their businesses that used slaves, seems out of character. It's hard to imagine him deciding that the zip code of his state is more important that his country.

Additionally, his plantation sits RIGHT next to DC so he knows that's going to be a HUGE target. If he joins the CSA who knows what will become of his home -- it could become a graveyard for all we know.

In any case, if Lee somehow does go crazy and join the CSA, it could make a significant difference. He is a respected military leader and could be an important player in their military. It's not clear how far he'd go in their ranks, be he'd start with seniority to all but a few. I suspect that Cooper or Johnston would likely start out in command and there would be several other contenders. Some might even feel that Lee was a little too old for field command and have him be Davis' military advisor, or some such. If Lee is used in the field, he might reach Corps command, possibly head some small region, or possibly be chief of Confederate artillery. I find it hard to see him ever reaching overall command because he wasn't a favorite of Davis and his aggressive generalship wasn't ideally suited to the type of defensive war the CSA HAD to fight to have any chance of winning. In the Union army that style was appropriate most of the time and he knew how to use the troops and firepower he was supplied with. He was a natural choice for command after Lincoln got sick of McClellan, Hooker, Burnside, etc.

As for Grant, his skills were going to allow him to rise to high leadership regardless. But, if Lee hadn't served able as commander of the AOTP from 1863 on, Grant might have been given that job. Instead, it made sense to have Grant lead all US forces outside the DC-Virginia area and leave Lee to fight the main foe.

Finally, if Lee had joined the CSA, the war might not have ended in late 1863 as he'd help the South and he'd be missed in the North.
 
That's a lot of butterflies if you've got someone that competent fighting for the South. The war definitely lasts longer, but I'm not sure it changes the systemic issues that would sink the rebels.

This sounds like a good POD for some kind of weird internally-divided America-screw TL. Even if the North wins, which is likely, a longer-lasting war probably means a lot more long-term fallout, and maybe even a failed reintegration.
 

jahenders

Banned
That's a lot of butterflies if you've got someone that competent fighting for the South. The war definitely lasts longer, but I'm not sure it changes the systemic issues that would sink the rebels.

This sounds like a good POD for some kind of weird internally-divided America-screw TL. Even if the North wins, which is likely, a longer-lasting war probably means a lot more long-term fallout, and maybe even a failed reintegration.

You're right, if the war drags on much longer than it did, there's going to be lots more acrimony and bloodshed. One could postulate all kinds of things. Perhaps, once it's clear that things are going solidly the Union way, Lincoln even pushes for an amendment ending slavery and it's enacted. As you suggest, perhaps Lincoln has a pretty decent plan for 'bringing the confederate states back into the fold', but is blocked from implementing it the way he wants for some reason. Heck, I guess you could even have someone else take over in 1865, either Lincoln (weary from struggling in a longer war) doesn't run, another Republican challenges him and people think new leadership is the answer, or even Union troubles bring a Democrat to power. Any of those could spell real trouble for 'reconstruction.'
 
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