As you all probably know, special orders 191 was Robert E. Lee's set of commands right before Antietam that were intercepted by Union cavalry and brought to McClellan, who, armed with the enemies positions, attacked Lee at Boonsboro Gap, and Sharpsburg. What would have happened if the orders had not been intercepted?
Well, for one, neither the Battle of Boonsboro Gap, nor the battle of Sharpsburg would have happened. Lee was in a horrible position in Sharpsburg, and he would not have stayed into that position under different circumstances. Another battle, of similar size to Sharpsburg, would have probably occured near Boonsboro, with the Confederates in a much better position in the high ground. It's fair to say, considering in our time line Antietam was very nearly a draw due to McClellan's desire not to advance, that this new Battle of Boonsboro would have been a Confederate victory. Two major changes spring from this Confederate victory from our time line. With no victory at Sharpsburg, Lincoln would not be able to declare the Emancipation Proclamation, and Europe would likely join the war soon. Lee would know that he needed another victory, or at least no defeats as he marched through Maryland, to keep France and England on the tracks to joining the Confederacy. Being the overdramatic Lee, he would decide something along the lines of, 'Maryland is too close to vastly impress Europe. I shall win a victory on their own soil!', and would likely go through with his pet project of invading Pennsylvania, but carefully, always sticking to the best defensive ground and making absolute sure the supply lines were in order. He wouldn't want any defeats to turn off potential allies.
So with no Emancipation Proclamation, a much less risky, more defensive invasion of Pennsylvania, and the European powers beginning to wish to join the Confederacy against America, what happens next?
Well, for one, neither the Battle of Boonsboro Gap, nor the battle of Sharpsburg would have happened. Lee was in a horrible position in Sharpsburg, and he would not have stayed into that position under different circumstances. Another battle, of similar size to Sharpsburg, would have probably occured near Boonsboro, with the Confederates in a much better position in the high ground. It's fair to say, considering in our time line Antietam was very nearly a draw due to McClellan's desire not to advance, that this new Battle of Boonsboro would have been a Confederate victory. Two major changes spring from this Confederate victory from our time line. With no victory at Sharpsburg, Lincoln would not be able to declare the Emancipation Proclamation, and Europe would likely join the war soon. Lee would know that he needed another victory, or at least no defeats as he marched through Maryland, to keep France and England on the tracks to joining the Confederacy. Being the overdramatic Lee, he would decide something along the lines of, 'Maryland is too close to vastly impress Europe. I shall win a victory on their own soil!', and would likely go through with his pet project of invading Pennsylvania, but carefully, always sticking to the best defensive ground and making absolute sure the supply lines were in order. He wouldn't want any defeats to turn off potential allies.
So with no Emancipation Proclamation, a much less risky, more defensive invasion of Pennsylvania, and the European powers beginning to wish to join the Confederacy against America, what happens next?