Question of the Week #5

“Which Valley Campaign had a larger impact on the war in the east, the 1862 Valley Campaign or the 1864 Valley Campaign?”

The Virginia Military Institute in ruins.


8 Responses to Question of the Week #5

  1. I agree with all of the above. It is also ,perhaps, the single most reason why there is still animosity today.

  2. I agree with Ned B. By October, 1864, before the Battle of Cedar Creek, the South’s chances of any type of victory were probably used up anyway. The Valley Campaign of 1862 was necessary for the continued survival of the Confederacy when it mattered most.

  3. The comments of Frank J. Piatek and Ned B. are well taken that the 1862 campaign had greater strategic military significance, because the valley continued to distract Federal attention and divert resources from other campaigns for the remainder of the war. But, as touched upon by Joe Truglio, the 1864 campaign may be more significant from a broader political perspective because it may have done greater harm to the process of reunification of the country than it did to contribute to the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. Good question!

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