GDG- RE: Pipe Creek

[Margaret D. Blough]

Tom,

>>Lee, however, also wanted to use deception, and proposed to Davis that the 
> South pretend they were interested in peace for the purposes of restoration 
> of the Union, when if fact the South had no such intention of reuniting with 
> the Northern states. This, he believed, would mislead the Northern faction 
> that was demanding peace together with reunification, causing them to 
> support an end to the war. <<

Sort of makes one wonder if someone will someday write a biography or study: "Robert E. Lee: Marble Man or Machiavelli in Gray?"

Regards,

Margaret

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "Tom Ryan" <pennmardel at mchsi.com> 

> Esteemed GDG Member Contributes: 
> 
> 
> <> immediately north of the embattled B & O line. Furthermore, it was the 
> capital not only of a loyal state of great importance in the 1864 
> presidential campaign but also one headed by one of the leading pro-Lincoln 
> war governors, Andrew Gregg Curtin, and it was almost defenseless. The ANV 
> wouldn't have had to hold Harrisburg very long, simply taking it would have 
> enormous political and psychological signi 
> ficance on Union morale and even internationally. If successful, it would 
> have sent the message to the states loyal to the Union that Sherman's 1864 
> campaign in Georgia sent to the people of the rebel states in the Deep 
> South-your government is incapable of performing one of the most fundamental 
> acts of a functioning government-protecting its citizens.>> 
> 
> Margaret, 
> 
> You make an important point, and one that reflects Lee's message to 
> President Davis on June 10, 1863, at the outset of the invasion of the North 
> in which he proposed that the best way to offset the great advantages the 
> North had in manpower and resources was to encourage the peace party in the 
> North that was growing in strength. Certainly one way to do that was to 
> gain a victory on Northern soil which would undermine the Lincoln 
> administration, and perhaps lead to a political victory in the 1864 
> presidential elections for, as Lee called them, the "friends of peace." 
> 
> Lee, however, also wanted to use deception, and proposed to Davis that the 
> South pretend they were interested in peace for the purposes of restoration 
> of the Union, when if fact the South had no such intention of reuniting with 
> the Northern states. This, he believed, would mislead the Northern faction 
> that was demanding peace together with reunification, causing them to 
> support an end to the war. 
> 
> In other words, Lee was plotting to play both ends against the middle. This 
> message is a good example how Lee strategized in both military and political 
> terms. The message is at OR, vol. 27, part III, pp. 880-882. 
> 
> Regards, Tom 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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