Poll: Jackson's best battle

[semperpietas]

Originally Posted by Hypaspist

I'm voting the Valley, and although I can't remember who wrote it, I remember someone saying that the invasion of Pennsylvania was Jackson's plan as well.
I do think that Jackson would have been better as an Army commander in the west rather than as a Corps commander for Lee. Would he have been able to control that situation?? Probably, if he would have been sent after the valley campaign had made him famous.

I don't know about that. He was a good operations chief and proved adept at quickly moving troops, but was at best a mediocre tactician. He also had trouble getting along with his subordinates (something that proved very problematic with Bragg). However, three things to remember:

He would be facing superior opponents in the West than Shields and Fremont in the Valley in the likes of Grant, Thomas (a far better tactician), and Rosecrans, and two, geographically the west was unfamiliar to Jackson unlike the Shenandoah Valley, so he would be robbed of the advantage of Hotchkiss and his wonderful maps. He could also be very lethargic at the worst of times, such as the Seven Days or the afternoon on August 30th at Second Manassas.

He still proved a very good corps commander and in independent operations, was an asset to Lee in the planning and moving of the operations of the army.

[mikeck]

If you are looking for an Army commander to take over for Bragg. Joseph Johnson is your man...couldn't get along with the Boss though so he was wasted. I wonder if Jackson could have worked with Forrest

[semperpietas]

Originally Posted by mikeck

If you are looking for an Army commander to take over for Bragg. Joseph Johnson is your man...couldn't get along with the Boss though so he was wasted. I wonder if Jackson could have worked with Forrest

Not to be contrary or obstinate to what you suggest, but I might raise a few observations:

1. Forrest did not really emerge (though he distinguished himself numerous times in combat before) as a major mounted operations commander until the summer of 1863, when Van Dorn's murder elevated him from command of a brigade to command of Van Dorn's Cavalry Corps (though Forrest was variously reduced to division and restored to corps level as cavalry was transferred in and out of the Army of Tennessee). He still officially commanded a brigade (labelled Forrest's Brigade on the Army rolls) until December of 1863, despite commanding a corps at Chickamauga. By the time Forrest emerges, Jackson is dead and buried.

2. A better question would be if Jackson and Polk could get along. While both were devoutly religious, Polk's obstinate bullheadedness and Jackson's inability to get along with such types of subordinates could put them at loggerheads. Also, Jackson is a rigid Presbyterian, and Polk is a not-so rigid Anglican Bishop. It isn't hard to imagine a theological discussion turned argument that turns into detrimental back biting.

3. As for replacing Bragg, I think that perhaps the best choice of command for Davis would have been leaving Beauregard in command after Corinth. However, given that I am probably the closest thing to a defender Bragg will ever have on this forum, I will quote this post I once made of the rationale for keeping Bragg:

Originally Posted by semperpietas

Well given the options Davis faced there wasn't really an alternative to Bragg. I won't disagree that Bragg was perhaps a little too harsh (understatement).

Davis' main two western armies had been bloodied at Shiloh and Pea Ridge respectively. One of his most admired generals was killed at the former which left Beauregard, a fervent opponent of Davis, in command of the largest. Despite being a good if not humble general, Beauregard had abandoned Corinth and then had taken an illness that prevented him from exercising command. Davis jumped at the chance to replace him.

Of the available candidates of rank and prestige in the Confederate Army, General Robert E. Lee has just taken command of the Army of Northern Virginia and is tasked with driving McClellan away from Richmond. General Joseph Johnston is recovering from a serious wound and is not available for service, his anti-administration politics not withstanding. Of the Major Generals in the Army of the Mississippi, Polk and Hardee had both explicitly refused to accept command when offered (and would do so again and again). Breckinridge lacks seniority. This leaves Bragg, who was already in temporary command of the army because of Beauregard's absence and was receiving public praise for his performance at Shiloh. Bragg's track record in Florida was also positive. Given that the Army of the Mississippi and the Army of the West lacked a professional cadre of officers like the Army of Northern Virginia (looking at officers like Benjamin Cheatham and Thomas Hindman vs say Richard Ewell or A.P. Hill), perhaps Davis felt that a disciplinarian like Bragg was needed (his reputation already preceded him).

Again in the clamor after Perryville to replace Bragg, there is really no viable alternative. To return Beauregard to command would be to admit he made a mistake in replacing him, while Johnston is recovering he is not yet quite well enough to take the responsibilities of an army in the field. Lee will not leave Virginia, and Polk and Hardee refuse to accept any higher responsibility.

Again he faces a similar dilemma after Chickamauga. Longstreet who had originally expressed interest in the job during the spring of 1863, instead advocates at Chattanooga that Lee or Johnston take command. Lee stubbornly refuses to leave Virginia, and even begins lobbying for the return of Longstreet thus quashing any chance that Longstreet will get the post. Hardee again refused permanent command when offered, and Polk advocated Lee or Johnston. Johnston and Davis are barely on speaking terms after Vicksburg, and Davis will not even consider returning Beauregard to the post.

Only when Bragg resigns after Missionary Ridge does Davis very reluctantly appoint Johnston to command and that is after Hardee refuses. Not of a lot of options for command considering what Davis knew at the time.

From this thread: http://www.armchairgeneral.com/forum...13#post2379813

[B7B Southern]

Originally Posted by mikeck

If you are looking for an Army commander to take over for Bragg. Joseph Johnson is your man...couldn't get along with the Boss though so he was wasted. I wonder if Jackson could have worked with Forrest

Forrest worked well with Walker which was a Jackson man.

[semperpietas]

Originally Posted by B7B Southern

Forrest worked well with Walker which was a Jackson man.

Which Walker?