What if Lee's army completely defeated at Antietam?

RousseauX

Donor
In OTL, Antietam was more or less a bloody draw, Lee's army took 25% casualty but was able to withdraw in good order and save his army. This was largely because McClellan did not take any of the several opportunities to seize victory due to his overcautious nature. Namely, the failure to commit his reserves into battle at two crucial points of the battle allowed the Confederates to regroup after his troops had all but broken through their lines.

Let's say McClellan is slightly less cautious, and he commits one of those corp (Porter's) into the bloody lane as the Union troops breakthrough (as per OTL) and exploits it. He also commits his other corp (Franklin's) onto his right as Burnside temporarily broke through the Confederate left and allows him to exploit his victory as well.

What happens then? Does the Army of Northern Virginia ceases to exist? Does Lee limp back to Virginia with 50-60% of his army gone? What would be the aftermath of such a defeat? We discuss a lot what happens if the south wins at Antietam, but what happens with a complete union victory?
 

jahenders

Banned
It raises questions about Lee's leadership, shakes the South, and forces the South to go "full defense" in the East considerably earlier. It almost certainly precludes the type of CSA plan that led to Gettysburg.

Lee would almost certainly stay in command, but might be given less of a free hand and any proposals he might make to again invade the North would be rejected.

We'd almost certainly be stuck with McClellan longer. However, perhaps if McClellan had won at Antietam as described, perhaps he'd have more confidence in his army's ability to win and perhaps he'd have far less of "the slows."

In OTL, Antietam was more or less a bloody draw, Lee's army took 25% casualty but was able to withdraw in good order and save his army. This was largely because McClellan did not take any of the several opportunities to seize victory due to his overcautious nature. Namely, the failure to commit his reserves into battle at two crucial points of the battle allowed the Confederates to regroup after his troops had all but broken through their lines.

Let's say McClellan is slightly less cautious, and he commits one of those corp (Porter's) into the bloody lane as the Union troops breakthrough (as per OTL) and exploits it. He also commits his other corp (Franklin's) onto his right as Burnside temporarily broke through the Confederate left and allows him to exploit his victory as well.

What happens then? Does the Army of Northern Virginia ceases to exist? Does Lee limp back to Virginia with 50-60% of his army gone? What would be the aftermath of such a defeat? We discuss a lot what happens if the south wins at Antietam, but what happens with a complete union victory?
 
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