DBWI: What if the CSA Hadn't Have Attacked DC?

How would the American Civil War have progressed differently if the Confederates didn't attack Washington, D.C.? IOTL the assault was catastrophic, with thousands of Rebel soldiers killed, captured, missing, or wounded, despite Lee's strong generalship.

Would the Civil War have ended much later than it did? Would there be a greater sentimentality for the CSA when the war ended, or would people still be calling for Robert E. Lee's head on a platter?
 
What should they have done? Sit back and let the Union wear them down over the next few years? If I were Lee, I probably would've taken the same risk.

I know this opinion isn't very popular, but that's fine with me.
 

67th Tigers

Banned
Casualties are the price of war. Without the assault on Washington maybe Lincoln would have won the 1864 election? ISTR he was planning on furloughing half the army to go and vote for him, but couldn't due to the threat.
 
Well, it's not like McClellan actually did what the most radical Democrats wanted and ended the war. Strange how they could be so surprised when he ran to the nomination on a war platform. :rolleyes:

Union numbers and industry most likely still win, though it will certainly be harder without the Confederacy not helpfully throwing tens of thousands of men into the most fortified city of the world.
 
What should they have done? Sit back and let the Union wear them down over the next few years? If I were Lee, I probably would've taken the same risk.

I know this opinion isn't very popular, but that's fine with me.

There is risk and there is suicide. What in God's name did Lee think he was doing in attacking the most fortified city on the planet?
 
I feel Early deserves credit for courage and vision.

The CSA was fading fast and after all the bloodshed NOT risking a mere 15,000 men given the unbelievable opportunity granted by Grant pulling the so-called heavy artillery regiments out would have been simply wrong.

It's hardly his fault that he didn't know the 6th Corps was arriving at the same time and his forces would never leave the city.:(

Nor that the subsequent actions by Sheridan in the Shenandoah and beyond would wreck Lee's supplies and force the surrender at Petersburg on February 18, 1865.
 
Early's army was in deep trouble the moment he tried to pull that stupid stunt. DC was the most fortified city on the planet and Early didn't have anywhere close to enough to take it.
 
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