I'm here. I've finished the book and have been reading up every day or so to see what everyone else is saying/thinking. +1 and I will watch the movie sometime over the next few days (I hope). I'm hoping he'll read the book before we make this trip, but I doubt he'll have the time . I think as soon as we get some nice weather I'm going to make a trip down to Appomattox (20 miles from me) and reminisce a bit. Its interesting to see various opinions about Gen. Lee and his thoughts, etc. here. General Lee will always be considered a hero here in the South for many reasons, but the concensus of opinion here is that his troops LOVED/REVERED him. There's a lot to be said about a General who was so beloved despite the fact that he felt the need to surrender. I almost felt like a voyeur at times reading this book and reading the "private" moments of these folks.

 

The two other books are fantastic too, writtn by M. Shaara's son Jeff, GODS AND GENERALS, and LAST FULL MEASURE. He uses the same style as his father, hard to tell the difference between father and son's writing.

 

General Lee invaded the north for several reasons:

1) To take the fight out of Virginia, as both armies exhausted available food/supplies
2) To gather cattle/food/supplies/clothing for his forces (the Cumberland Valley in PA was rich with food/cattle)
3) To draw the Union Army out of Virginia, and away from Richmond
4) Threaten many cities, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Washington, and have the Northern government put pressure on it's Army and themselves, perhaps force a peace treaty on terms favorable to the south

He knew that if the Union Army marched north, and if it was a fast, forced march, in the heat of June/July, they would be exhausted. They would be advancing in long lines, as the "roads" (as we read about in KA) were few and narrow. Lee's troops were marching at a much more relaxed pace, would be more rested than Union forces if an engagement was to be undertaken.

General Lee never intended to conduct a head-to-head battle against the Union Army. He would attack the Union Army, if, by good fortune, or by tactical maneuvering, he could force a "favorable" outcome for his troops, and take out some of their corps, as at Chancellorsville. He knew he did not have the force strength for one decisive battle. If there were to be engagements, he knew his best strategy would be to conduct a series of meeting engagements, with a smaller, more maneuverable force than the Union.

The plan was to complete all of the above, and return to Virginia in the fall.

The Union planned (after Meade took command) to position their army along Pipe Creek. They were going to use the natural topography of this area to provide themselves with a strong defensive position, between Lee and Washington. From this position, they could perform offensive operations if needed, using this area as a base of operations.

At the beginning of KA, the Spy locates the position of the Union Army. Lee is surprised as he has no word from Stuart. His forces are "spread out", probing defenses and bridges/routes to/from Harrisburg. Lee wants to concentrate his forces, and decides to do so, and the major roadways all lead to Gettysburg. Buford locates some southern brigades, etc. He likes the ground, informs Reynolds. Reynolds moves to support Buford, and informs Meade. The day 1 battle ensues. Meade sends Hancock to take charge, and report on the ground. Meade likes the reports from several sources, and decides to take advantage of the high ground on Cemetery Hill, Cemetery Ridge. He orders the entire Union Army to advance to Gettysburg.

 

Like Stonewall Jackson, Longstreet has a clear understanding of General Lee's orders. Ewell was new to command, and was not used to Lee's style/commands. Ewell was used to Jackson's orders, which were clear. Longstreet is a great, loyal corps commander. He provided his recommendation to the Commanding General. General Lee made a decision. Longstreet's duty was to execute the order issued, and he did.

Were there any preconditions on the orders? Did the ground/federal force dispositions change? You bet, an entire Union corps came off Cemetery ridge, and made themselves incredibly vulnerable to attack in a Peach Orchard. Did the Union have any artillery on the Rocky Hill, Devil's Den, or the Round Hill? No, so they are not all up yet. Union forces are spread out thin, the time to strike is now, and break their flank and hit their rear. The good leader takes advantage of the situation.

They ran yesterday (Union infantry), they'll run again. New leader, Meade, new to command. He will be cautious. Unlikely the Union forces could march/move fast enough to have all of their forces on the ridge. Lee's forces themselves were not all up and concentrated (no Pickett). These were some of the assumptions made. Were they valid?

 

[QUOTE=Vitito,Sep 13 2006, 08:02 PM]
Were there any preconditions on the orders?

 

Don't you almost get the feeling that Longstreet wanted to lose the battle? I suppose not conscientiously but perhaps subconscientiously, and that is why he is willing to follow Lee's orders.

Longstreet is in that age old predicament, do you do what you know to be right or do you follow orders. A reoccurring theme in every war that has ever been fought.
Unfortunately, tragically, Longstreet opts to follow orders.

 

I don't think so, Rob. No soldier EVER wants to lose a battle. He did the honorable thing in following orders, another thing a good soldier ALWAYS does.

 

[QUOTE=ralper,Sep 13 2006, 10:17 PM] Don't you almost get the feeling that Longstreet wanted to lose the battle?

 

Val, remember this is a novel and a character study. Also, I'm not so sure. The dynamics here are very unusual.

I think Bill asked a very valid question. Why didn't Longstreet send Lee a message that the situation on the ground is vastly different, and then proceed to do what he knew to be the right course of action.

The honorable thing to do is to follow orders except when it means certain death and defeat.

 

[QUOTE=Legal Bill,Sep 13 2006, 09:46 PM] I think it all relates back to Lee's little talk with Longstreet before the countermarch.