H.H Shelby apparently had a bunch of blunders so what general could've lead the force better and eventually could've lead them all to California and capture it's gold and silver?
H.H Shelby apparently had a bunch of blunders so what general could've lead the force better and eventually could've lead them all to California and capture it's gold and silver?
H.H Shelby apparently had a bunch of blunders so what general could've lead the force better and eventually could've lead them all to California and capture it's gold and silver?
His second in command, colonel Thomas Green is a great option. He commanded the confederate forces well at Valverde (since Sibley was passed out drunk) and went on to perform very well in Louisiana (bayou teche and red river). But there is the problem of rank as he was only a colonel at the time of NM campaign though you could change that I guess.
Richard Taylor would also maybe be a good option. He proved to be more than capable of fighting with limited men and resources and was all around a superb general. He was promoted to Birgadier general in October 1861 iotl.
Not sure about taking California, but I think a different general could do better than sibley, maybe actually capturing fort Craig and holding Sante Fe for longer, then turning back southwest and defeating the California brigade. Most likely would have to withdraw eventually though if the war continues.
What would you like, me to choose a hypothetical battlefield and then give you some troop movements? Small armies have managed to defeat larger and better equipped ones before. Not that the California brigade was much larger though, because it was only around 2,300 troops, and the total confederate forces for the New Mexico campaign were almost 2,600, which even when accounting for loses and possible garrison for fort Craig would likely leave them with anywhere from 1,900-2,000 men which is not a large disparity.How, exactly, can they beat the California brigade which would outnumber them greatly, particularly after having to fight Canby who you would expect to be able to deal at least some damage? IF by some miracle you could beat them how can you beat their reinforcements? Every time the CSA attacked Union territory it got its butt kicked.
What would you like, me to choose a hypothetical battlefield and then give you some troop movements? Small armies have managed to defeat larger and better equipped ones before. Not that the California brigade was much larger though, because it was only around 2,300 troops, and the total confederate forces for the New Mexico campaign were almost 2,600, which even when accounting for loses and possible garrison for fort Craig would likely leave them with anywhere from 1,900-2,000 men which is not a large disparity.
As for Canby, he did pretty badly at Valverde, taking nearly 4x the casualties as the Confederates. Not that he was a bad general, because he diefenitly wasnt.
I never suggested that New Mexico could be held indefinitely, only longer.
H.H Shelby apparently had a bunch of blunders so what general could've lead the force better and eventually could've lead them all to California and capture it's gold and silver?