Jim, nice post but we have to at least be open to the possibility that the South’s failure or defeat was not so much due to the lack of Jackson’s presence at those later battles, but more probably a case of the Yankees finally getting their act together. Sure, the Confederacy gave the Union what-for all the way to the end, but the tide was clearly shifted and the conclusion ultimately decided.

I think the Southern fantasy, personified by what-ifs surrounding the survival of Jackson, are pipe dreams at best. He was just one man, a Rommel or Heinz Guderian if you wish, but he was ultimately destined to fail. He, along with all the rest of the great generals of the Confederacy, were operating against insurmountable odds. Do the math, do the numbers of economic output, etc.