Title: Pokerface - The houseband of the Second American Revolution Source:
[None] URL Source:[None] Published:Oct 13, 2006 Author:Pokerface Post Date:2006-10-13 10:25:17 by Lod Keywords:Take, Back, Control Views:147 Comments:16
I like to think that the hosilities just ceased...
It was Robert E. Lee's fault. When the Army of N. Virginia could have gone into the mountains, converted into a guerrilla army and made the occupation and plunder of the free confederacy a monstrously difficult undertaking requiring decades, he chose to surrender at Appomattox instead. In his mind the "honorable discharge" upon the field of battle was the way the war had to be decided.
I guess it was the fault of the whole military tradition of the times. Neither the Vietnamese nor the Iraqis, on the other hand, are burdened with our martial traditions. They know how to run an insurgency.
he was too old and sick to be the leader of a band of starving outlaws.
The prospect of resulting to highway robbery and plunder was unthinkable for him, and he was even prepared to pay for the shoes they intended to commandeer in Gettysburg.
And, after Pickett's Charge he was burdened with a heavy guilt, so much so that asking his men to starve and hide would have been the antithesis of the honor for which he believed he was fighting.
he was also well aware of the savagery that Sherman would visit on women and children had he taken to the hills and played hit and run with The GAR.
The Army Of Northern Virginia was in no shape to serve as guerillas. They didn't have the inspiration or will to serve without (even an over-extended) supply line.
Most would have followed orders of course, but, one cannot hide an army of that size, never mind feed and supply them. Hell, they'd have had to eat their horses, and that would have left them without cannons.
Even a stubby, mountain howitzer (which required no limber) was moved on the back of a horse.
Most would have followed orders of course, but, one cannot hide an army of that size, never mind feed and supply them. Hell, they'd have had to eat their horses, and that would have left them without cannons.
While I agree with most of your post, hiding in the mountains and playing guerrila was not Lee's idea, it was the idea of the men of the ANV. Even after five years of sheer hell, they were ready to fight on.
Gotta love the invigorating effect that a whiff of freedom has on a man.