I'm English, just so you know, and I live in England so I have limited knowledge on the American Civil war, despite how interesting I find I. Naturally I was drawn to the more high profile eastern theatre than the West so I dont know as much about the western theatre so whether Grant was totally engrossed in his war or not I wouldn't know but I do know that Bragg invaded the north around this time so I assumed that Grant would at least be slowed by Braggs counter attack.
Well I too aren't American but Australian, yet like you I've taken a great interest in the ACW. I've also taken a great interest in the western theatre as well. In fact the western theatre is more important for Union victory than the eastern theatre (i.e. see my AH in the Timelines Section).
Grant & Bragg never actually fought each other as amry commanders until later at Chattanooga in November 1863. Prior to that it was basically Bragg v Roscrans (among a few other Union generals) during this period in question.
I remember reading that at one point in the war Grant and Thomas were pitted against each other by a senior officer so they didn't have the best of relationships however Thomas was a able commander and has been very under-rated by the history books being overshadowed by Grant and Sherman.
I agree. Thomas is much better than many realise. His victory at Nashville certainly proves this as he is about the only Union general to achieve such a victory of annihilation (unless you include Sheridan's victory over Early later in the War).
If there is no-one capable in the eastern theatre to take on Lee then that leaves the western theatre and out of the highest ranking officers in the west Thomas was the only one Grant would be prepared to lose. That therefore is a General of good ability who was not really wanted where he was and could have given Lee and challenge given the opportunity to do so.
Actually at this point in time, Thomas is under the command of Roscrans AFAIK, not Grant. So Grant wouldn't have a say in it. Whether Roscrans is willing to let his best general leave is another question...
Lee was a better mediator than Jackson but I do agree that Stonewall was a pheonominal commander however would he have been able to organise and deploy the ANV as well as Lee or better than Lee? And if he did would his death at Chancellorville cause the ANV to collapse from having no capable commanders after Jacksons death?
Very true about Lee. Mind you Jackson did manage the Valley Campaign superbly & Jackson was completely independent from Lee during this time. Of course if Jackson was GOC ANV at Chancellorsville, he probably wouldn't be with his troops on the left, but in a centre command position. So he probably wouldn't be killed as against the OTL.
There other also other worthy CSA commanders who, although maybe not as good, were highly competent nevertheless. Longstreet immediately comes to mind, & given the general defensive nature of CSA stratergy in the east, Longstreet would have been ideal (importantly there would be no Gettysburg campaign). Then again Joe Johnston wasn't too bad either. Of course Lee could always make his appearance albeit a tad later if he isn't already dead.