Union Army (1864-65) vs. Moltke's Prussians (1870-71)

[BOTP]

A what-if.. assuming that both sides commit a roughly equal amount of forces to a battle, each following their basic doctrines of the time. So who would be better off in your opinion? The US Union army or the Prussian army? By all means speculate as much as possible.

[MoROmeTe]

The Prussians would take out the US Army on 1:1 conditions. Maybe if the Union Army enjoyed a 2:1 advantage in men, some debate would exist. And you probably should have pitched the Prussians against the Southerners of Lee. On equal numbers that would be a contest...

[lancelot]

It may also depend on where the battle is fought. (ie- good transport prospects)

The Prussians were making excellent use of rail transport and the supply system. IIRC, the Prussian staff system was considered to be very good also.

I think I would probably go with Prussians.

[Templar Knight]

Moltke's Prussian army of 1870-1871 would have won outright, you only have to study the tactics and doctrine to see why.

[Templar Knight]

Even if you replaced Denamrk with the Union in 1864 and Austria in 1866 Moltke would still triumph, probably over any army at the time ~:)

[Baiae]

The Prussians would win hands down but mainly they had the benefit of another five years of military development. The Union army was much underatedand and given equal equipment would have been a difficult proposition. Moltke's Prussians were exceptional and, all other things being equal, would have won. But not by much.