I use to think the West was the most important but in the last couple of years, I have changed my mind. The East is more important for these reasons:
1. The two principal armies were engaged.
2. The national capitols were nearby.
3. The East was closer to Europe.
4. The principle newspapers were in the East.
5. Most of the industry and commerce for both sides is in the East.
6. In the Western Theater, New Orleans, Fort Donaldson Memphis, Nashville, Atlanta, Corinth, and Vicksburg all fell to the Union and yet the Confederacy fought on as long as Lee was in the field.
7. Lincoln commented that the Union could conquer thousands of miles of territory, and major cities and yet a small defeat in the East can have so much more impact on domestic, and foreign opinion and perception.
8. The South could lose everything west of the Mississippi River and yet as long as Lee was in the field there was hope for victory. Diaries, Journals, and newspapers both east and west bore this out. Even in the West with defeat after defeat the common refrain is that as long as Lee is in the field there is a chance for victory.
9. When Lee surrendered it ended the war. The Confederacy still had thousands of soldiers spread throughout the Confederacy and once Lee had surrendered, they all went back to their homes, the war was over. Even though there was some minor fighting at Bentonville and other places, they too surrender because Lee and his ANV surrendered.
10. The Southern public looked upon Lee as a latter-day George Washington. As long as the main Continental Army, with Washington in command existed and despite losses on other fronts, there was a chance for ultimate victory. Thus, it was with Lee and the ANV.
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ponders nirvana.
