WI: Tennessee remains in the Union?

Just as it says on the tin...

Before the attack on Fort Sumter the state was actually overwhelmingly pro-Union, and Eastern Tennessee would remain so, even requesting to split the State in half so as to remain loyal to the U.S.

What are the effects of Tennessee remaining in the Union as a whole or split in half?
 
It'll probably end up being invaded by the CSA, with Memphis and Jackson almost certainly being taken. Nashville and Knoxville might make it out without battles, and we might have less Confederate nostalgia statewide.
 
It'll probably end up being invaded by the CSA, with Memphis and Jackson almost certainly being taken. Nashville and Knoxville might make it out without battles, and we might have less Confederate nostalgia statewide.

Thanks.

Also, could the state split in half? Is it possible that KY could do the same and the western halves of both become one Confederate State, against the Unionist State comprised of the Eastern halves?
 
Tennessee is invaded by the CSA, which helps decide Kentucky for the Union (from the perspective of "if they're for the USA and they were simply invaded, then they won't respect neutrality. Hmmmm....Yo, Abe, we wanna talk") and thus ensures no real CS shot at ever controlling Kentucky and the entire state a US priority for the war, which is only to the good for Grant and Thomas.
 
what about NC it was also debatably the last state what if it hadn't?
on point it would also be similar to MO where the fighting never leaves the state and using it as a chance to even out long grudges between families
 
In this scenario, let's assume that the exact line of events around the time of Fort Sumter being attacked means TN manages a bare majority against secession in the second vote. This is not a minor change.

In the first vote on secession before Fort Sumter, Eastern TN was against, Western TN was in favor, and Central TN was barely against. When Lincoln called for volunteers after Fort Sumter, a second vote was held and Central TN overwhelmingly voted for secession.

In this scenario, for whatever reason Central TN stays pro-union (maybe the fire eaters did something very beyond the pale, or Andrew Johnson was still governor). I see men in Eastern TN and some in Central TN volunteering. I also see Western TN men leaving the state to enroll in Confederate units. There is probably also an attempt by armed Confederate sympthizers to take over the state entirely. At minimum, a a Confederate government of TN will form, claiming to be the leigitmate state government.

At that point, Federal troops will need to be sent into TN to keep it secure. IOTL, TN seceded in early June. Bull Run was in July 21. Grant did not move down tthe Mississippi until November with his battles at Fort Donelson until February 1862. ITL, someone needs to be sent to TN ASAP. Union troops might leave southern IL sometime in June 1861 (perhaps commanded by Grant). Kentucky is simply in the way, so how the Federal Army and Lincoln treats it is going to be important, but it's possible that Grant is able to traverse the Missippi River and secure supply lines without driving Kentucky into the Confederacy. The Kentucky legislature is definitely pro-Union.

With Union troops in TN, it is now possible for the Federal Army to recruit volunteers. Previously, there may have been volunteers ready to join, but no actual way for them to be armed and trained.

At this point, the next stage is when Confederate Armies invade. It's likely this will happen by September to November 1861. Let's assume Grant wins. So either in late 1861 or early 1862, the Union will have several goals. March south on the Mississippi River to cut the Confederates in two, advance into northern Alabama to recruit Unionists there, or possiblly try to march on Atlanta. The Mississippi River is the primary goal at this stage.

By the end of 1862, the Union probably controls the entire Mississippi River and has opened up northern Alabama for recruiting. Atlanta is threatened and will likely be the target of the 1863 campaign.

The Confederates will be in a bind because the losses here will drain strength away from Lee in an attempt to hold back Grant and other Union forces. The war might be shortened by a year, but there are many unknowns that can happen.

I don't know a lot of the specifics in this area or time, but I am sure there are many people who can elaborate more and point out mistakes above or opportunities that I missed.
 
Thanks.

Also, could the state split in half? Is it possible that KY could do the same and the western halves of both become one Confederate State, against the Unionist State comprised of the Eastern halves?

That didn't happen in OTL when the state seceded, I don't see why it would if they don't. Consider how WV was created. Parts of Virginia that were pro-union and in union hands. With Kentucky and Tennessee, they will have never seceded (so the government would still be acknowledged as legitimate), and they'll remain almost entirely in union hands. No reason to split them off, unless the Confederates are burning down Philadelphia and buckling down along Lake Erie.
 
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