One reason the North won the Civil War might surprise you

[KamaAina]

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article77862987.html

The outcome of the Civil War was influenced by many factors on both sides, including population, finances, the availability of weaponry, naval power and military leadership.

But in a recent study published by the Geological Society of America, a North Carolina professor suggests a less obvious factor: rocks.

"It is not an overstatement to say that rocks helped determine the outcome of the Civil War,” said Scott Hippensteel, an associate professor in the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. “Geology determines terrain, and terrain can be exploited by a skilled commander on both offense and defense.”...

“Overall, the geology didn’t favor either side,” he said. “Nevertheless, multiple individual battles were strongly influenced by the geology of the region, and the geology seemed to favor whichever side took a more defensive approach.”

[puffy socks]

1. How interesting

Another factor was that the South refused to work together even to the point of refusing to have matching uniforms.

The states of the Confederacy weren't connected by anything except for the right to own slaves.
There were huge differences of opinion about how to fight the Civil War or whether they should become a nation of Confederate states or bevome individual little "countries" . Divided they fell. I believe they would've torn themselves apart anyway.

[gladium et scutum]

5. There were other connections

In 1862, the Confederate Government decreed that your enlistment contract for a set number of years with your home state was null and void. Hence forth you served in the Confederate army until the war was over. Also in 1862, you, as a free bourn man could be drafted into the Confederate army, regardless of your state, the sole exception was if your owned 20 slaves, you were exempt from conscription to support the Confederate cause.

[1939]

2. If the South had seceded in 1830 instead of 1860, they would probably have won.

The Union could not have sustained large enough armies to conquer the South in 1830. Geography would have been on the side of the South strategically.

By 1861, the steam engine (river steam boats and steam railroads) permitted the Union to overcome the Southern advantage in geography and maintain and supply armies in Southern territory. The steam engine on ocean going ships permitted Union blockade of the Southern coast in all winds and weathers. The telegraph proliferated and aided communications and coordination of Union armies. Massive immigration from England, Ireland, and Germany caused massive growth in the Union population which dramatically increased their population advantage.

[1939]

3. Duhhhhhhhh

“Overall, the geology didn’t favor either side,” he said. “Nevertheless, multiple individual battles were strongly influenced by the geology of the region, and the geology seemed to favor whichever side took a more defensive approach.”

Geology always affects battles. Ridges, hills, river lines, forests, etc.

There used to be a little mnemonic for terrain analysis in ROTC and other officer training courses called COCOA

Critical Terrain
Obstacles
Cover and Concealment
Observation and Field of Fire
Avenues of Approach

One of the reasons that the South did so poorly in the western battles was that key generals (Albert Sydney Johnston and Braxton Bragg) had zero feel for terrain (geology).

[linuxman]

4. Wait a second, terrain influences battles and favors those who best use it?

Someone alert West Point. This needs to be on the curriculum.



Jesus k. Christ.

[Albertoo]

6. Posts #3 and #4 neatly debunked the article :)

[Victor_c3]

7. I'd imagine that a good commander could overcome tjis

At least help mitigate its impact. If you have shitty terrain in one area, faint and draw the engagement to where it suits you.

A general rule in combat is to always maintain contact with the enemy. If you break contact or allow your enemy to break contact then the other party has the opportunity to move or shift forces in a way you can't detect or influence. Slowly withdraw and cede shitty terrain to your enemy to create a situation that suits you better.

Without modern communications it is much harder for a commander to have accurate and timely information about the entire battlefield. Likewise it'd make it harder to make the above corrections and therein lies the luck and terrain that was handed to both sides in the civil war.

Interesting article!