Snake Featherston
Banned
Well, I think it could be rationally argued that destroying Lee's army would benefit the Union cause in some manner or other.
Yes, that's so. Meade was not going to do that then, not in the circumstances of OTL.
Well, I think it could be rationally argued that destroying Lee's army would benefit the Union cause in some manner or other.
There's a much better opportunity to crush Lee at Antietam because of that river, too.
And the idea that McClellan was removed for being too bold...
Well, I'll put it this way: That would be the first time I've heard of it, from you or any other source.
Not quite. McClellan was removed because he had failed to cover Washington against Jackson's wing. In Lincoln's opinion McClellan's movements were too bold.
Perhaps in your time line.
In OTL, the Battle of Antietam was fought September 17th and McClellan was relieved on November 7th after over 7 weeks of not pursuing Lee. Halleck, in his report on McClellan's post-battle activities, said "The long inactivity of so large an army in the face of a defeated foe, and during the most favorable season for rapid movements and a vigorous campaign, was a matter of great disappointment and regret." Lincoln, who was normally very patient, telegraphed to McClellan that "I have just received your dispatch about sore-tongued and fatigued horses. Will you pardon me for asking what the horses of your army have done since the battle of Antietam that fatigues anything?"
There might be a point the Army of the Potomac's cavalry was in poor condition. But given McClellan's misuse of cavalry, "How?" is a question that needs to be asked by anyone in Lincoln's shoes. McClellan demanded more support in exchange for doing less than Lee, that is enough.
Of course, Davis's response to the hoof and mouth breaking out in the ANV (just after it broke out in the AoP) was the polar opposite of Lincoln's - every effort was made to get fresh horses to the army rather than indulging in a petulant epigram.
Lincoln didn't send the epigram until October 25th, 5 weeks after the battle of Antietam.
The typo hunter claims another trophy (typoed number fixed and underlined).
Interesting on the horse situation for the ANV. That it would be a problem so soon is telling about the weakness of the ANV in the areas that it needed to stay an effective army - just as McClellan demanding more supplies is telling about his attitudes.
Thanks for spotting it. Now corrected in my previous post.
McClellan actually did need more horses due to the hoof and mouth outbreak. But since he'd always said he needed more everything before he could do anything, McClellan had become much like the boy who cried wolf.
Lee does stand in contrast. The CSA told him they'd have to start cutting rations, so he started acting as his own commissary. The CSA couldn't provide enough weapons or horses, so the AoNV used ones looted from the Union.
McClellan actually did need more horses due to the hoof and mouth outbreak. But since he'd always said he needed more everything before he could do anything, McClellan had become much like the boy who cried wolf.
Lee does stand in contrast. The CSA told him they'd have to start cutting rations, so he started acting as his own commissary. The CSA couldn't provide enough weapons or horses, so the AoNV used ones looted from the Union.