Questions for a Civil War TL

Hey everyone, I am currently in the planning stages for a Civil War TL and would like to get some feedback on some certain points.

1. If Gen. McClellan was killed/incapacitated in the early days of the Peninsular Campaign who would take command of the Army of the Potomac?

2. If the Union captured Richmond in July 1862, where would the Confederate Government flee to?

Thanks for the help.
 
1. Could Gen. John Wool be close enough to be recalled? I guess it all depends how much of a hurry they're in, what point in the campaign it is, after having just fought a skirmish and regrouping or in the heat of battle.

2. Th4ey went to Danville at first in OTL, but couldn't go further south becuase of Sherman's men. Here, I'd suggest that they'd probably go to their original capital of Montgomery, feeling that it's perfectly insulated. Atlanta (near major rails, etc.), Charleston (though by the sea, so might be rejected), or Columbia would be other good choices.
 
1. Could Gen. John Wool be close enough to be recalled? I guess it all depends how much of a hurry they're in, what point in the campaign it is, after having just fought a skirmish and regrouping or in the heat of battle.

2. Th4ey went to Danville at first in OTL, but couldn't go further south becuase of Sherman's men. Here, I'd suggest that they'd probably go to their original capital of Montgomery, feeling that it's perfectly insulated. Atlanta (near major rails, etc.), Charleston (though by the sea, so might be rejected), or Columbia would be other good choices.

#1. I guess Wool is a possibility but he is also very old by 1862, and i am not sure how much of a contender he is as i have honestly never heard of him until you mentioned him. How about Sumner?

#2 Excellent choices thanks.
 

67th Tigers

Banned
Hey everyone, I am currently in the planning stages for a Civil War TL and would like to get some feedback on some certain points.

1. If Gen. McClellan was killed/incapacitated in the early days of the Peninsular Campaign who would take command of the Army of the Potomac?

2. If the Union captured Richmond in July 1862, where would the Confederate Government flee to?

Thanks for the help.

1. Sumner in the first instance. He is the senior Major General present.

Long term with McClellan gone, the AoP almost certainly would be folded into the Army of Virginia under Pope (darling of the JCCW), and withdrawn to operate around Fredericksburg.

When do you knock out McClellan?
 
1. Could Gen. John Wool be close enough to be recalled? I guess it all depends how much of a hurry they're in, what point in the campaign it is, after having just fought a skirmish and regrouping or in the heat of battle.

#1. I guess Wool is a possibility but he is also very old by 1862, and i am not sure how much of a contender he is as i have honestly never heard of him until you mentioned him. How about Sumner?

It definitely wouldn't be John Wool. Sumner, as the most senior Corps commander, would take immediate command upon McClellan's death. But he might not remain in that position long, and we may see him replaced very soon afterward with somebody from outside the army like John C. Fremont, John Pope, or even Henry Halleck. Of these, Fremont is the most senior, and possibly the most likely choice if McClellan gets killed in the very early stages of the campaign, as you seem to be indicating.
 
1. Sumner in the first instance. He is the senior Major General present.

Long term with McClellan gone, the AoP almost certainly would be folded into the Army of Virginia under Pope (darling of the JCCW), and withdrawn to operate around Fredericksburg.

When do you knock out McClellan?

Very beggining of the Pennisular Campaign
 
McClellan dying at the beginning of the Peninsular campaign would definitely be a loss and a boon for the Union cause. The man created the Army of the Potomac. Then again, i find the man to be incredibly stupid and incompetent.

From my understanding, there were four 'larger-than-life' generals at the beginning of the Civil War: Scott, Twiggs, Sumner and Wool. All four Generals had military experience ranging from the War of 1812, the Mexican-American war and even various Indian conflicts Scott resigned in 1861 after political pressure from McClellan and his supporters; Twiggs became a Confederate; Sumner - as mentioned was the commanding corps commander and reigning Major General, and Wool was considered too old - actually being older than Scott.

Sumner would probably been delegated to command the army of the Potomac if McClellan was incapacitated or dead. Unless, by some miracle, Scott can be recalled.

It is a pity that the Confederacy took so many of the fine General officers or officers of caliber when the Civil War broke out. Officers such as Robert E Lee and Albert Sidney Johnston would have been useful in such situations as this.
 
Top