""There was a chance, and not a bad chance..."" Topic

"In 1861 the attitude of the Southern States, historically, was certainly defensive. They asked for nothing more than to be let alone; to be allowed to go their own way unhindered. In the light of the four years of war which followed it is doubtful whether under any circumstances they would have gained independence; but they threw away their best chances of success, singularly enough, by first beginning the war and then by allowing the North to organize and perfect her armed forces at leisure. By seizing on military posts and dock-yards and, finally by firing on Fort Sumter the South exasperated and roused the North, alienated the strong public opinion in her favor which existed in that section and put herself in the wrong.

There was a chance, and not a bad chance, that the slave states would not be intcrferred with in establishing a new nation, in any event there could be no harm in inaction for it would give them additional time to prepare for war. The war fairly begun and afterwards at intervals during its progress a vigorous offensive was strongly urged on the Confederate government by some of its best men. To many of them this course seemed obvious at first only: a few continued in the belief, at any time throughout the war. that the South could win only by persistent attacka…"
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Amicalement
Armand

Hmmm, hard to give the author much credence when he claims that Hooker was as good a soldier as Grant or Sherman…

Thanks, Scott, for saving me from wasting my time reading that.

Glup!….

Amicalement
Armand