Existing comment:
An Opportunity for the South:
The Southern army's victories in Virginia gave the Confederacy an opportunity to win the war. Several factors made it an attractive time for the South to carry the war out of Virginia and seize the advantage above the Mason-Dixon line:
(1) Sabotage of the B&O and Pennsylvania railroads would cripple east to west military transport and communication in the North.
(2) A victory over the Northern army deep in Union territory, coupled with the capture of a large city, might result in European recognition of the Confederacy.
(3) A number of Northern voters reluctantly supported the war and might switch votes to peace candidates in the upcoming elections when faces with a battle on their own soil.
(4) Lee desperately needed to feed his army and he thought he could do so in Maryland and Pennsylvania.
"Two divisions of the army have crossed the Potomac. I hope all will cross today navigation of the canal has been interrupted and efforts will be made to break up the use fo the Baltimore and Ohio railroad."
-- Confederate General Robert E. Lee
"... would it not be time for us to consider whether in such a state of things England and France might not address the contending parties and recommend an arrangement upon the basis of separation [of the union]?"
-- English Prime Minister Palmerston
"There never was such a campaign, not even by Napoleon. Our men march and fight without provisions, living on green corn when nothing better can be had."
-- Confederate General Dorsey Pender
"The proposal of peace would enable the people of the United States to determine at their coming elections whether they will support those who favor a prolongation of the war, or those who wish to bring it to a termination..."
-- Confederate General Robert E. Lee |