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Joel Billings -> RE: AAR Jon Pyle (Union) vs Joel Billings (Confederate) - Confederate POV (3/15/2008 8:56:18 AM)
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Having lost Nashville, Decatur and Charleston, it seemed that it was time to take some action. The move into Kentucky was intended to distract Grant and perhaps relieve some of the pressure that will build on Chattanooga. In the east, Sherman's move to Charleston left Washington covered by 50,000 men under the temporary command of Sumner. Banks, with 14,000 men guards Frederick in Maryland, and Patterson commands what appear to be about 20,000 men in Harper's Ferry. Lee, with 37,000 men (half under the command of Stonewall Jackson), was sent to attack Harper's Ferry. The hope is that with Sherman occupied, the weaker northern generals will not be able to react in time to prevent the destruction of the Harper's Ferry garrison. Hopefully this will draw Union troops away from the Deep South. Stuart's cavalry, having previously scouted Union positions, was sent to Washington to raid Union supplies and disrupt any movement of Union forces to Harper's Ferry. This raid was incredibly successful, capturing and destroying scores of supplies. The move was so successful that Washington no longer has the minimum supplies needed to assist Union troops there in gaining initiative. Without initiative, they cannot reach Harper's Ferry in time. This move could easily backfire, but the opportunity to strike was there and I felt something had to be done to disrupt Union operations.
The Political score is now Union 1052 Confederate 1019.
There has been no additional call for troops from the Union government, although volunteers and black recruits continue to join up. Estimated Union army strength at the end of August is 570,000 while the Confederacy now has just over 300,000 men in the field. Estimates have it that between 100,000 and 125,000 Union soldiers are tied down in garrison duty. Another 50-75,000 Union troops are holding various front line positions, but are unlikely to be used in offensive operations. Approximately 35,000 Confederate soldiers are tied down defending various coastal forts or screening southern ports controlled by the Union. This puts the troop ratio of units available for active operations on the various front lines at about 1.50 to 1 in favor of the Union.
The loss of manufacturing and trade in Nashville and Charleston is going to make things difficult for the Confederacy. Supply shortages have caused curtailment of artillery production. I have been investing a little every month in building up Southern production capacity, which has helped make up for some of the losses to date, however it's hard to see how I will be able to continue this and supply the growing army. Of course, if I lose much more territory (and population), the army won't continue to grow in size.
[image]local://upfiles/1268/2034B9FD30EF4F2891E8BD18F419815D.jpg[/image]
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