Centerfield

Napoleon and Hitler invading Russia both come to mind. In both cases, the logistics just weren't there to cope with the climate and the sheer size. And if either had simply refrained, the additional resources elsewhere in Europe would have made them much, much harder to defeat.

Europe under a French Empire would have been unfortunate. Especially for Britain. Europe under Hitler for decades would have been horrible -- even more horrible than the short version was.

Mao's ideologically driven famines, and destruction of the Chinese intellectual and entrepenurial classes, is another. Only consider what China's economic and military power would be today, if the policies of the last 10-15 years had been implemented before the Great Leap Forward.

I'd say that it was Sir Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicilan after he'd been away on vacation for a while and found some of his cultures had mold on them. Most folks would have just thrown them the moldy dishes, but he decided to study the mold. LIke the sign says "Neat, organized people never make the exciting discoveries that I do."

History wise, it's Christopher Columbus accidentally bumping into America while looking for China.

Militarily, I'd say the Spanish Armada is my favorite, because I've always been a big Elizabethan fan. A close second is Mary, Queen of Scots, stupidly fleeing to England after her blunders cost her her throne.

But as far as American history is concerned, the Hessians keeping Christmas is number one. But Jon's example is a good one too.

Japan attacking the US instead of going after British interests in the Far East or helping Germany dismember the USSR. Those two nations were incredibly vulnerable, a situation they should have taken advantage of instead of attacking a nation not directly involved with the war. By the way Longstreet was at the top of the hill at Fredericksburg and saw wave after wave of Union troops try to take his well fortified position. He had a high opinion of the bravery of Union troops and knew under able commanders they could be tough, something Grant proved later.

In fairness, Lee had little choice but to invade the North. The Confederates had fewer soldiers, fewer factories, and fewer armaments than the North to begin with. The fact that the South lasted as long as it did is a tribute to Lee's ingenuity--and the Northern generals' ineptitude.

With the Northern blockade getting tighter and tighter, the Cons' options were narrowing down to "surrender or starve". ("King Cotton" may be many things, but if you can't sell it, eat it, or shoot it at the enemy, it's worthless.) Lee tried a third option--a lightning strike at the North. Even if he didn't capture DC, he'd get much needed supplies for his army, boost Southern morale while delivering a blow to the North's (maybe enough to enforce an armistance on the South's terms), perhaps even persude England and France to open up their coffers and support the South, the way France and Spain supported Washington after his victory over the Hessians.

So...it was a calculated gamble. Didn't pay off.

In fairness, Lee had little choice but to invade the North. The Confederates had fewer soldiers, fewer factories, and fewer armaments than the North to begin with. The fact that the South lasted as long as it did is a tribute to Lee's ingenuity--and the Northern generals' ineptitude.

With the Northern blockade getting tighter and tighter, the Cons' options were narrowing down to "surrender or starve". ("King Cotton" may be many things, but if you can't sell it, eat it, or shoot it at the enemy, it's worthless.) Lee tried a third option--a lightning strike at the North. Even if he didn't capture DC, he'd get much needed supplies for his army, boost Southern morale while delivering a blow to the North's (maybe enough to enforce an armistance on the South's terms), perhaps even persude England and France to open up their coffers and support the South, the way France and Spain supported Washington after his victory over the Hessians.

So...it was a calculated gamble. Didn't pay off.

Oops. Sorry about the double post.

Echo about Lee. It was a desparation move, but that was what he had left.

The other thing hoped for was convincing Euro-nations to risk running the blockades. Since the South had little to pay with, taking booty was a consideration.