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Post by quincannon on Jan 28, 2017 23:42:46 GMT
The basic plan that Benteen presented for a strictly defensive strategy is OK if you have the manpower and resources to pull it off. The total southern land area was huge, and there are so many ways to intrude into that area unmolested.
For Instance in the east had Johnson been able to build a defensive line between the Blue Ridge and the Bay, what is to say that a Union Army could not come down the Potomac to the Bay, sail down the Bay and land behind it at Hampton and Fort Monroe. That is exactly what was done in early 62 leading to the Peninsula Campaign. What Johnson had to do was completely give up the Alexandria Line to address the new threat in front of Richmond. That in turn allowed Pope a free hand to occupy Northern Virginia, which ultimately led to the Second Manassas Campaign.
Now what if McClellan sits on his butt and does nothing when he gets to Hampton and Monroe. Johnson still has to face him across the width of the Peninsula, and Hampton Roads is closed and unusable as a supply point for the Confederacy. Pope still gets Northern Virginia as a gift. Johnson or his replacement Lee still has to call Jackson over from the Valley, if he wants to kick McClellan out of Hampton, and someone goes into that Valley and tears up the 1862 crops.
Another possibility is what would prevent a Northern Army from going up the Valley a third of the way, make a left turn, and get to Charlottesville. Charlottesville is the gate to Richmond from the west, and you kill that bird, and piss in the Confederate breadbasket at the same time, not to mention cutting the railroads.
You could build just as many or more scenarios in the western theater,
Dave I do not believe Sheridan or Sherman did anything wrong. They did on a small scale what LeMay did to the cities of Japan. In total war, the enemy population is the engine of enemy productivity. You hinder productivity and you hinder your enemies ability to fight, and the ultimate end result is a shorter war with less in the way of lives lost. I am quite sure that many places in the south don't look at it quite that way, BUT, those are the things to be considered when contemplating war itself.
In short Benteen, the only thing wrong with you strategy is the shortage of a million or so soldiers, and hundred billion tons of foodstuffs, supplies, and equipment. If you were to want homemade Pizza for dinner, it is best to see if you have the ingredients before you turn the oven up to high
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dave
Brigadier General
Posts: 1,679
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Post by dave on Jan 29, 2017 1:00:19 GMT
QC Sherman's aim was to end the war as soon as possible by gutting the infrastructure and food production of the South and was very successful in his aims. I can not fault him for what he did as he understood the moral factor his marching through Georgia would cause for the Confederate military leaders to attempt to staunch the flood of desertions from the ranks.
Sherman was the first to wage so called "Modern Warfare" that lead to unrestricted warfare of submarines, firebombing and nuclear war. Ain't we progressed as a humans? Regards Dave
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Post by quincannon on Jan 29, 2017 1:13:31 GMT
Actually in a rather awkward way I think we have.
The more destructive war becomes, the less prone nation states are to engage in it. There comes a certain threshold which most except the occasional madman is unwilling to cross.
That is why strategy must contain all four elements, because if it was only the M, there would be no alternatives.
I don't think Sherman was the first though. Attila did a pretty good job in his day, and given time I could probably think of ten or so more that would make Sherman seem like a choir boy.
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dave
Brigadier General
Posts: 1,679
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Post by dave on Jan 29, 2017 3:30:50 GMT
I did not know about Attila but then you are older than me and may have known him. Did ya? Regards Dave
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Post by yanmacca on Jan 29, 2017 14:52:57 GMT
"Old Glory" Ian. There are currently fifty stars on "Old Glory" I think you just might have your flags a little mixed up. Chuck, you will be correct of course as you should all know you national flag so thanks for the correction, but what was the name of the southern flag, you know the one on the car in the dukes of hazard.
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Post by quincannon on Jan 29, 2017 15:02:53 GMT
I never watched that show, but I think it was the Cross of Saint Andrew flag, that was the Confederate Battle Flag. The Stars and Bars Flag, which I believe had a couple of versions was their National Flag.
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Post by yanmacca on Jan 29, 2017 15:15:37 GMT
I only watched a few times, but here is the car;
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Post by quincannon on Jan 29, 2017 15:20:49 GMT
That is the Confederate Battle Flag.
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Post by yanmacca on Jan 29, 2017 15:48:20 GMT
Does it have a name?
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Post by quincannon on Jan 29, 2017 15:48:46 GMT
Yes Dave, I knew Attila fairly well. He would drop into the I Bar at Benning frequently, and never left before saying - "Never give a Roman an even break" I took his advice and married one.
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Post by quincannon on Jan 29, 2017 15:49:49 GMT
Yes it does. The Confederate Battle Flag. None other that I know of.
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Post by yanmacca on Jan 29, 2017 16:08:36 GMT
I think I must have drunk to much Rebel Yell bourbon.
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Post by dgfred on Jan 29, 2017 17:47:12 GMT
I only watched a few times, but here is the car; What car?
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Post by yanmacca on Jan 29, 2017 18:56:35 GMT
Keep away from her Greg or she will eat you for breakfast. I wonder then if she thought that she would end up being Ringo Starrs sister in law
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Post by Beth on Jan 30, 2017 1:21:03 GMT
Ian here is the wiki on the Stars and Bars and the history of the Confederate flags. I have noticed a few people in Texas are flying the Stars and Bars over the Texas flag instead of the US flag over the Texas Flag. I'm not sure if it has changed since Jan. 20th. There is a megachurch and school in my neighborhood that flies the Texas Flag on a separate pole from the US but it is always about a foot higher. Steve and I seem to be the only ones who notice. In Texas it is literally God, Texas, and country at times. They even have the kids take an Oath of Allegiance to Texas every morning. "Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible."
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