You made one somewhat reasonable suggestion, namely that Lee might still have won using guerrilla war against the North.
This was swatted down, pretty easily I thought, on grounds that:
First, anyone who knows anything about Lee knows such a thing would be impossible for him. Perhaps I could refer you to Lee's General Order Number 72 before the Gettysburg campaign?
Second, it was pointed out that one southern general, JB Hood, actually had that idea, and tried to do it, but soon gave it up for lack of interest.
Third, if there was any southern general with spirit and reputation to carry on such a fight, it would be Nathan Bedford Forest, and so far as I know, the closest he ever got to such a thing was founding the old Klu Klux Klan.
But I don't need to remind YOU of that, right?
“You made one somewhat reasonable suggestion, namely that Lee might still have won using guerrilla war against the North.”
....irregulars can and do sucessfully wage wars of secession and partition...but they generally need three things:
1. support of the local population
2. sanctuaries in which to refit and rest
3. support of a third country for supplies
....I expect we’ll see variations on these themes in the coming Civil War...
when NBF discovered that ACTIVE actions against the oppressors was NOT to be the GOAL, he VERY PUBLICLY left the group. (as i'm sure you know.)
may i also suggest Wade Hampton as another possible guerrilla leader or perhaps Smith P. Bankhead???
the TRUTH is that a prolonged guerrilla action against the DYs would have worked. further, as you evidently have NO credentials/experience as a military planner/operative in such an environment, your opinion is just that: UNKNOWING opinion.
as for whether Lee COULD have done what i suggested, he COULD have. he CHOSE not to. furthermore, the "Johnny Rebs" would have followed him to HELL, had he asked.
finally, President Davis did NOT issue the order to do so, so we'll never really know.
free dixie,sw