In defense of McClellan at Antietam: A contrarian view

[derspiess]

We need this person on Languish:

http://www.dailystatesman.com/blogs/1781/entry/49364/

The Bloody Lane-Battle of Antietam

Serene. Morning's twilight gently transformed the blackness into a new day. A choir of birds slowly broke the silence, and the chill of night ebbed away. I stood on a low road among perfectly manicured grounds and pristine statues. Everything was exactly as it should be: peaceful.

...

As I walked the lane I heard the gun fire, the barking of orders, the cannon, and the screams. I began to recall the names of some of those who perished in and around that road. I had studied these men and read some of their diaries and letters. I had seen some of their faces in photographs. In the cool morning breeze, standing where they took their last breath, tears welled up in my eyes then ran down my cheeks for men I had never met.

As I lingered, a couple, in their early forties I guessed, parked their car and began walking toward The Bloody Lane. I immediately admired them for having the zeal and devotion to the history of our nation to be at the battlefield, at sunrise, where every imaginable horror of war became reality. Hand in hand they approached the hallowed ground where thousands had sacrificed. At the top of the stairs leading down to the lane they stopped.

"It's just a big ditch" the woman proclaimed. Her husband matched her reverence, "Yeah. This was a waste of time."

First time I visited Antietam I was a little disappointed they didn't still grow corn in The Cornfield.  Otherwise, I was overwhelmed by the place and did not want to leave.  It was the first Civil War battlefield I visited and still probably my favorite.

[katmai]

Shit Habbu's ancestors were still over on the Boot.

[Habbaku]

Shit Habbu's ancestors were still over on the Boot.

[Berkut]

Anytime anyone says anything in an attempt to rehabilitate or validate Macs competence as a commander, all I have to say is:

The Seven Days.

[jimmy olsen]

Anytime anyone says anything in an attempt to rehabilitate or validate Macs competence as a commander, all I have to say is:

The Seven Days.

Well, you know...he could have improved with experience and all.

[Lettow77]

 A bloody nose for Lee and a tactical retreat safely carried out despite an absolutely relentless enemy offensive?

Of course, there is the matter of any retreat at all being necessary, but Mac did a good job pulling out. How many more victories like the Seven Days could the Army of Northern Virginia fight before its own elan destroyed it?

[Viking]

A bloody nose for Lee and a tactical retreat safely carried out despite an absolutely relentless enemy offensive?

Of course, there is the matter of any retreat at all being necessary, but Mac did a good job pulling out. How many more victories like the Seven Days could the Army of Northern Virginia fight before its own elan destroyed it?

hmm counting

Wilderness - 1
Spotsylvania - 2
Yellow Tavern - 3
Meadow Bridge - 4
North Anna - 5
Totopotomoy - 6
Cold Harbor - 7

yeah, 7 victories and draws.

[Lettow77]

 The yankee nation wasnt prepared for that sort of bloodletting when the seven days was fought, though. Had that sort of campaign been carried out it might have just lead to the South's independence being recognized in the face of massive riots and a paralyzed society.  It was better for total war to creep up on the northern public gradually.

[Valmy]

The yankee nation wasnt prepared for that sort of bloodletting when the seven days was fought, though. Had that sort of campaign been carried out it might have just lead to the South's independence being recognized in the face of massive riots and a paralyzed society.  It was better for total war to creep up on the northern public gradually.

Massive riots?  You clearly know nothing about Yankees.  They are not hot blooded like Southerners.  Even the Boston Tea Party was quiet and orderly.

But I don't think McClellan was prepared for it.  He wanted a limited war that would somehow preserve the status quo and that just wasn't in the cards.

Hey Lettow I have a Confederate question for you.  There is a Confederate officer, Lt. Col Alfred Robb of the 49th Tennessee of Clarkesville Tennessee, who I guess is somewhat of a hero since the South started naming things after him after he died after Fort Donelson.  Does a picture of this dude exist?  Since you are from Tennessee I thought maybe you might know something about him.

[Eddie Teach]

The yankee nation wasnt prepared for that sort of bloodletting when the seven days was fought, though. Had that sort of campaign been carried out it might have just lead to the South's independence being recognized in the face of massive riots and a paralyzed society.  It was better for total war to creep up on the northern public gradually.

Even supposing the riots had been worse than they were historically, Lincoln wasn't about to give up just like that.

[CountDeMoney]

But I don't think McClellan was prepared for it.  He wanted a limited war that would somehow preserve the status quo and that just wasn't in the cards.

McClellan was such a fanboi of Southern aristocracy, the Wade committee wasn't quite sure whether he wasn't really a traitor.

[Valmy]

Sharpsburg.

The Yankees won.



CDM and Valmy don't want to talk about it.

FOrtunately the casualties were just Teixeira and Markakis

[Valmy]

Even supposing the riots had been worse than they were historically, Lincoln wasn't about to give up just like that.

Who besides Irish immigrants rioted?  Besides maybe the North takes Richmond the civilians are not going to riot over that even if it costs McLellan half his army.

[dps]

Indeed. Sherman's campaign of rampant destruction was a spanking the South had coming.

It needed a harder spanking.

[CountDeMoney]

Indeed. Sherman's campaign of rampant destruction was a spanking the South had coming.

It needed a harder spanking.

No shit. Sherman should've just gone around in ever-widening circles.