Gettysburg - July 3, 1863

I used to get "Civil War Times". But I haven't for a while. What a great publication.

Carpo you are correct about the Conferacy's western generals. Other than Sidney Johnson who died early on, being replaced by that bumbeling Braxton Bragg, they were not up to par with the guys in the east. Oh, Nathan Bedford Forrest was a great commander out west too.

Keep in mind though that Richmond was in the east, the Southern leaders felt protecting Richmond was of the highest priorities.

Bragg was an awful general, a personal friend of Jeff Davis, so his command was assured.

 

I agree. Perhaps things would have been differnt had the captital satyed in Mobile AL.

Most of what is said about Sidney Johnston is based on what he did in the opening hours of Shiloh. He did display pretty good generalship.

Supply was a constant problem for the Confederacy. Had Lee the supplies and man power he needed perhaps things would have been differnt. Tatically he defeated Grant on the battle field, but always a great loss and since Grant had the manpower to keep throwing at Lee it negated any tactical victory, because ultimatly is was a strategic victory for the Federals.

 

I always understood that Gettysburg was not a battle in Lee's plans as he was advancing north to come down on Washington, DC. At least that was one explanation given at talks we heard at Gettysburg.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Thanks, Stephen. Lee would have served with most of the Union leaders before he decided to return to Northern Virginia, so he would be well aware of their abilities.

It is amazing that many of the leaders, both North and South, were busy in Mexico when war broke out. Each were given free passage to travel back to their respective homes before engaging in war duties. Just another sideline note.

Cheers,

Jim

 

How many have ever read of the heroic efforts of the populace of Gettysburg in caring for the wounded of both armies after the battle?

Maybe it's just me, but I believe the fall of Vicksburg 7/4/1863 was a much-more-severe blow to the Confederacy than was the loss at Gettysburg. Now, the Rebels couldn't move men/supplies between east and west too easily.

The Rebels had one very competent general whom they'd shunted aside due to idealistic differences with Jeff Davis...P.G.T.Beauregard. He was the victor at Ft. Sumter, and the real winner at 1st Manassas. His superior, Gen. Joseph Johnston, allowed him to exercise tactical control since B knew the land better. After that, he was made a full general & sent west as A.S. Johnston's 2nd-in-command.

However, he failed at Shiloh after Johnston went down, putting him in command. He was facing a much-larger Union force, but had he followed through with his initial plan, which Johnston had heartily approved, he could have very well driven Grant from the field, as he'd totally surprised Grant. But he hesitated to launch all the attacks he'd originally planned; thus Grant was able to hold them off long enough for Grant to plan/launch a counterattack. Next day, Grant and Buell crushed the valiant Rebs, and soon after, they were forced to abandon their base at Corinth as Grant, Buell, and Halleck were approaching with overwhelming forces. He was then relieved by Davis, but Davis was forced to return him to a command when he had a shortage of experienced generals. He continued to serve with distinction till the war was over.

Lee had excellent generals at Gettysburg. Longstreet's distinguished record speaks for itself. Stuart made a small error in judgment, cutting off his forces from the main battle. Pickett did NOT just blindly order a charge; LEE did. Pickett and Longstreet both urged Lee to reconsider, but for the only time in his distinguished career, Lee let emotion govern his judgment. He believe he could destroy Meade's army, while forgetting Mead held very good ground for defense, and that he was a defensive master.

Wonder what woulda happened if Beauregard had been the commander of the Vicksburg force?

 

My wife and I enjoyed visiting Gettysburg, last
summer(2004). We watched "Gettysburg" and "God's
and Generals". We loved it.
A brother of my great grandfather,fought in the civil war. A number of Canadians fought in the civil war (20,000?) mostly for the north. My relatives had come to Ontario from New York state
in the early 1800's.
This soldier became a Christian, while in the northern army.
It appears that the war wouldn't have lasted as long, it weren't for the excellent leaders the South had, such as Robert E. Lee. Also it appears that he was a devout Christian.
John Crerar

 

John Crerar,

You might be interested to know that an assistant to Upper Canada's Governor General was a chief advisor to Lee and the Army of North Virginia. The Confederacy also met on a regular basis in Montreal to receive monies from both Canada and England in support of the South.

Wife, daughters and I spent 8 summers visiting Gettysburg and taking in the reenactment. Brilliant town, that Gettysburg.

One of the oldest veterans of the Civil War (a Canadian) died just a few years back in Toronto. I forget his name now.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Jim,
Thanks for the information. John Crerar

 

I lived in Bucks County Pa. all my life before moving here to Florida two years ago and Gettysburg was one of my favorite places for my wife and I to go. There is so much to see there. We would spend the whole weekend and visit all the museums, take the bus tour, visit the battlefields. The monuments are awesome. We were homeschooling our youngest son ( who will graduate in 2006) and we took him there on field trips. We still have a picture of him at 8 years old running across the battlefield in a Union uniform waving the stars and stripes in one hand and brandishing a big plastic sword in the other. I am not one of these passionate Civil War buffs either but Gettysburg always brings back fond memories.

 

I visited the Vicksburg battleground----and surveyed the positions of both Yanks and Rebs----I told my wife---the Rebs must have been sayin'

"The poor Yankees have us surrounded!!!"

 

Here's a what if for you. The South's best tactical commander was one Thomas J. Jackson. His philosophy was always to "Cross the T" and roll up the enemy. He never lost an engagement and the South did not lose an engagement that he was in. At Gettysburg he would have taken Culps on the FIRST day, because for him advance was always "practicable" when he had the advantage. The death of Stonewall Jackson took away Lee's best tactician and the one man he would always listen to. Longstreet just didn't have the pull, and Ewell (who took over for Jackson) had no courage left in his tank.

 

The only real weakness in the Fed defense was that General Daniel Sickles(1819-1914) had moved his III Corps forward of the positions Meade had assigned it, because a cavalry division had been removed from his left & not replaced, thus leaving his left flank exposed. However, his left flank was just as exposed as it woulda been in its original position, only now it was closer to Hood's(Reb) larger, stronger division. Hood attacked & began to roll up that left flank, but Sickles made an orderly retreat to his originally-assigned position. But now, his forces were weaker due to his losses from Hood's attack, and from Longstreet's artillery, of which Sickles' advance had put him within range. However, his forces were superb soldiers, the retreat was orderly, and general Winfield Hancock, coordinating the center of the Fed line, sent reinforcements when he saw Hood & longstreet were trying to punch through Sickles & gain Little Round Top. Indeed, they DID breach Sickles' line, but the reinforcements arrived in time to help repulse the breakthrough.

In that situation, I don't think Stonewall's presence woulda made any difference, except that he mighta talked Lee into bypassing Meade entirely, allowing Stuart's cavalry to rejoin the main army, and driving inward through Pennsylvania. Had Stonewall been there to lead the attack on Sickles, he woulda been facing the same Fed forces, and couldn'ta done anything differently than what Hood did.

General Hood was as fierce a fighting general as the Rebs ever had. A Fed officer had known Hood before the war, frequently playing poker with him, said, "Any poker player who will bet a hundred without having a pair in his hand will fight at the first opportunity". His men were as loyal to him as Jackson's were to Stonewall.

Stonewall knew when NOT to fight, as well as how to exploit the enemy's weakness. I believe that had he still been alive, he woulda done his best to have talked Lee outta fighting at that time & place, as there were several easy ways around Gettysburg on into PA.

A hero of this part of the battle was Col.(later Gen.) Joshua Chamberlain, whose journals of his wartime experiences are among the most precious documents from that war. In civvy life he was a school teacher, and he was the officer selected by Grant to accept Lee's formal surrender.

A note: When Lee rode with what was left of his army into the Fed camp to surrender, Chamberlain instantly ordered his lines of troops along the path to begin the "Marching Salute", which was the highest honor American troops could bestow upon an enemy. The Rebs understood, and removed their hats in return. General Gordon, leading the Rebs(He had been chosen by Lee to lead the procession), pointed his sword to the ground. After the formalities were over, Rebs & Feds were seen fraternizing all over the camp, all weapons laid aside. Now, if the fighting men could let the animosity die, why couldn't the civilians? It's still showing in places! If you're from West Virginia & get stopped by a Virginia police officer, you'll see that animosity firsthand!

 

JOHN CRERAR:

Are you any relation to Canadian Army General H.D.G. Crerar(1888-1965) of WW2 fame?