Civil War History - The Eastern TheaterDiscuss any and all battles, movements, and events occuring in the Eastern Theater here! This includes any actions in tha area east of the Appalachian Mountains in the vicinity of the river capitals of Richmond and Washington D.C.
Let's bounce this around the CW world. Why would Lee order a frontal attack at Malvern Hill instead of moving around the flank? Especially since the hill was bristling with artillery.
__________________ F. S. Powers
Union Ancersor: Pvt Arnuah Norton, 60th Ohio. (G-G-G Grandfather) Died at Salisbury NC, November 3, 1864
Confederate Ancestors: Captain Thomas A. Morrow, 29th Texas Cavalry (G-G-G- Uncle) and 2LT George W. Morrow, 31st Texas Cavalry (G-G-G Grandfather). Both survived the war
If my recollection hasn't totally failed, Lee couldn't flank. To his left, he would have been under Federal Naval Guns. To his right, I can only speculate that the terrain was a hindrance.
If you get some takers, I'll be happy to dive into a book or two and get a more definitive answer.
Ole
Lee didn't realize the futlity of a frontal assault. Still didn't realize it at Pickett's Charge. Not that Lee was worse than any other general. Most didn't know either.
Gary does not speak with forked tongue. Nearly all the early leaders were West Pointers who studied tactics according to St. Napoleon.
A question comes to mind: How many of the Yanks on Malvern Hill had rifled muskets? Given that they were McClellan's I'd assume that they'd be equipped with the newest, best, gear. But that early on, were there enough rifled muskets to go around?
Ole
By Malvern Hill, Lee was pretty frustrated with his inability to bring all his weight to bear on McClellan's army. He was making his plans on the fly, excellent plans, but staff work that early in the war, particularly for the Confederates, was rather poor. (Trained or schooled Confederate officers greatly preferred field commissions to staff.) Lee had McClellan on the run since the commencement of the Seven Days, but here was the Federal Army with no more room to run. If he could knock them off this hill, the army would be in complete disarray and plump for the picking. What's more, he considered their morale and particularly McClellan's shaky. They could be had. What's more, this was Lee's last chance to strike a telling blow. If he left them be on Malvern Hill, he loses all these advantages he had built up, and they are still too great a threat to Richmond. Everthing in Lee compelled him to make this attack. And he felt a reasonable degree of success was entailed.
What Lee didn't factor in was the professional quality of union leadership below McClellan, particularly Fitz John Porter who commanded here and the artillery. Or if he had, he still felt his advantages too pressing to give up. Though it ended poorly, it was still worth the chance.
__________________ 'It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag'
Excellent observation, ewc, Lee had no choice. He had to give it his best shot. I wonder if there is a parallel here with Grant's Cold Harbor disaster.
Ole
Thank you, ole. And excellent point there yourself.
__________________ 'It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag'
Lee did try to flank the Union line, in a limited sense. He sent troops around the Unin left but they were generally limited by Malvern Cliffs. And people tend to forget the fight on the Union right. A lot of the fighting was an infantry fight on the Union right. A confused messy affair, but Lee did not solely throw his men into the Union guns at the center. This fighting gets overshadowed by the more dramatic slaughter by the Union guns, but it created the surprisingly high Union losses.
There are some sharp minds and excellent writers on this forum, but I tell you, when EWC explains something, it becomes crystal clear in my mind, and I can almost see the events playing out. Always excellent analysis.
Regards,
John W.
__________________ Ancestors in CSA Army: 51st VA, 54th VA, 45th VA, 50th VA, 24th VA
Lee did try to flank the Union line, in a limited sense. He sent troops around the Unin left but they were generally limited by Malvern Cliffs. And people tend to forget the fight on the Union right. A lot of the fighting was an infantry fight on the Union right. A confused messy affair, but Lee did not solely throw his men into the Union guns at the center. This fighting gets overshadowed by the more dramatic slaughter by the Union guns, but it created the surprisingly high Union losses.
Trying to sneak in the back door? Welcome aboard. You will find us addictive, but may I suggest that you announce yourself in the "new members" thread? We all read that one and are genuinely interested in each and every entrant.
No comment on your post. I last got into the Penninsula more than 10 years ago and have nothing fresh to offer on that subject. Some may posit that Malvern Hill was Lee's first boner in the WBTS. At least one other esteemed contributor advanced the reasonable idea that he had no choice but to try. I'll buy any of that. General Hindsight is always right.
Ole
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