The greatest Southern victory during the “War of Northern Aggression” (relax … we’re just having some fun) took place from April 30 to May 6 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia – near the village of Chancellorsville.
In the face of a superior enemy (General Joseph Hooker’s 133,000-strong Army of the Potomac), Confederate General Robert E. Lee – in command of the 66,000 troops of the Army of Northern Virginia – did the unthinkable.
Lee divided his forces on several occasions – including sending his best lieutenant (General Stonewall Jackson) and 28,000 of his men on a suicidal 12-mile march through the wilderness with the intention of rolling up Hooker’s right flank. The gamble – one of the most daring and desperate in the history of modern warfare – worked.
Hooker’s forces were caught completely by surprise by Jackson’s men – and the Confederate rout was on.
Outnumbered by more than a 2-to-1 margin, Lee’s forces had nonetheless routed their opponent (although it cost them dearly as Jackson sustained a mortal injury from friendly fire during the battle).
We’ve been thinking a lot of Chancellorsville as it relates to the divided Republican Party.
In fact we think it’s a perfect metaphor … albeit with a twist.
Imagine for a moment that an outnumbered, outgunned party divided its forces in front of a superior foe. Okay … you don’t have to imagine such a scenario because that’s exactly what the “Republican” Party has done in the face of Barack Obama and his Democratic allies in the U.S. Congress. Now imagine that the larger portion of that “Republican” army decided to turn and fire into its own ranks rather than fire against the enemy.
And that … in a nutshell … is what’s happening in Washington, D.C. right now. In fact the traitors were already massing long before the so-called “government shutdown” battle even began.
It is always risky (permissible, but risky) to divide one’s forces in the face of a more powerful army. But successfully pulling off such a feat requires strategic initiative, innovating planning, precise coordination … and bravery. Most importantly, it requires everyone singing off of the same sheet of music.
Instead, more than half of the “Republican” army – including all of its top generals – are fighting for the enemy.
We know, we know … “large Southern website invokes Confederate analogy in attacking black president.” Please. This isn’t about that, it’s about one simple thing: Money. An incredibly large pile of money ($300-600 trillion, to be precise).
Money that’s about to disappear …
15 comments
I think the Alamo or Custer’s Last Stand would be a more appropriate comparison.
Or Benedict Arnold
I like the Custer’s Last Stand analogy. I reject the Alamo Analogy. Comparing the defenders of the Alamo to Teapublicans is incredibly insulting to the defenders of the Alamo.
However, comparing the Teapublican leaders to a man who by reason of hubris led his troops to their death on a mission that started with the slaughter of innocent women an children; I’m ok with that.
Bill – You hit the nail on the head. The Tea Party nuts started the shooting and they don’t know when to quit. Please reference the article on Lee Bright.
Bill, I agree with you to a great extent. I grew up in the 50’s and had my own plastic musket and coon skin cap. Fess Parker ruled in my 10 year old mind.
Many years have passed since those halcyon days, however, and I believe that the incident at the Alamo was a prelude to the Mexican-American War which came a little over a decade later. Much has been written about this conflict which was undertaken as a war of conquest. Many innocent women and children were slaughtered, especially by the Louisiana “volunteers.”
Still, I recognize your point about the courage of the Alamo defenders. Even the Mexican officers refused to participate in the execution of the few survivors out of respect to their bravery.
Custer was a damned fool. Hubris finally caught up with him…
“large Southern website…”, or Columbia S.C. gossip blog?
More like Gettysburg. Confederates in search of shoes blunder into a superior Northern force.
Confederates attack Soviet Red Army at Gettysburg.
… fixed it for ya.
Chancellorsville was a resounding victory for Confederate arms, but which side won the war? As I recall, Sherman sacked your hometown. That’s the lesson.
Considering our illustrious mayor and city council, the state of our police force, the condition of Five Points and various other parts of downtown, I’d say Sherman came quite a few decades too early.
Union Army = Warsaw Pact.
So you don’t believe in or support the United States of America?
You mean USSA, comrade?
No the lesson is there are still patriots in this country that will stand up to tyranny no matter the cost….
Like a cue ball, this article rolled around with no markings, and no point. The mention of some interesting historical potential had me reading – then I realized wikipedia was fired up, but and no substance would be forthcoming. I award you no points and may God have mercy on your soul.