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Okay I'm reading a book called "Hearts in Conflict" a so called one volume history of the CW. I just read about Gettysburg, and after reading it, I got an impression of the lead in to the battle of Gettysburg that I'm not sure is correct:
Lee moved north in his first offensive of the war, the north reacted slowly and ended up chasing him north instead of blocking him. When Lee reached Harrisburg? he made a U-turn and started south again right in the face of the northern army. Heading in the direction of Washington?
Is this an accurate impression of what happened? The rest of the book made more sense to me. I'm not ready to fault the author for my impressions, it may just be me, I've had a lot on my mind as I've read this, with all that's going on lately.
As far as I understand it, Lee moved north to pull the Union army out of Virginia...I don't know that he menat to start an all out battle, but simply to relieve northern VA of Union troops for a while.
I was under the impression that Lee's objective was Harrisburg where he planned to blow up the bridge over the Susquehanna River; thus eliminating a major crossing point for the Union
armies. Keep in mind that PA's largest staging camp for new regiments was Camp Curtin just outside of Harrisburg.
I'm less clear on why he turned around, unless it was to go to Cashtown for shoes.
I'm looking through my book again and I think I somehow skipped a page or two, I think that's why I'm missing some facts as to what the deal was. I'm going to have to re-read the whole chapter to fill in the holes...
Lee did not ever actually reach Harrisburg. There is a historical marker on Market St. just off Route 15 in Camp Hill, PA, marking the point of the closest Confederate advance toward Harrisburg. That is still a mile or two west of the Susquehanna River and the bridge leading into Harrisburg.
I believe the citizens of Harrisburg were worried that their city was Lee's objective, but I haven't read any historians who can say with certainty that it really was.
I believe that Harrisburg was indeed one of Lee's objectives, second only to his positioning of the ANV to threaten Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington and lending itself to give battle to the AOP on chosen, favorable ground. That the greatest battle was fought at Gettysburg was a mistake. The reason it was fought there is simple - all of the roads in the area lead there.
I have not read this book. I am wondering why the author claims, if he does, that this was Lee's first offensive. What was Lee's intention during the Maryland campaign of 1862?
I'm also wondering whether this book is a response, of sorts, to McPherson's "Battle Cry of Freedom". I'll read just about anything, of course. Do you think I should read this one?
I haven't been a big reader of one volume histories of the Civil War, this book is okay to read. I don't know the history well enough to tell you if anything I'm reading is accurate. Like I've mentioned before, my head has not been in it's proper place as of late, and I'm not getting everything I should be from this book. Once I can get my mind back where it belongs I'll re-read the chapters in question and try to re explain what was said...
One point to take note of, I bought this book, "Hearts in Conflict" about 6 weeks ago, it's hard cover, and it only cost me $8 at Barnes & Noble, it was in the Bargin Books section. Why would you buy a soft cover copy for $19 when you can buy the hard cover for less...
I don't know if B&N is out of stock on this book or not, but for the price, it still makes for an interesting read.
Now I just have to work on my McPherson collection, which is lacking....
I also think that Harrisburg was one of Lee's objectives being the capital of Pennsylvania (if I recall my reading correctly). I also believe that he turned towards Gettysburg, as it was pointed out, because all roads converged there and there were rumors that there may be the possiblity of obtaining shoes.
As for why he turned right into the Union army, one has to keep in mind that Lee was missing his eyes and ears of the army (Jeb Stuart-who was off on a ride around the Union army), thus Lee did not know the Union army's exact location and was under the impression (in the beginning of the battle) that he was only up against a few regiments and not the entire Union army.
I have always believed that Lee's objectives were to a) relieve VA of the strain of war, b)gain supply for his troops, c) relieve pressure on the Confederate forces at Vicksburg, and d) threaten a few big cities while he was at it. He was very succesful in accomplishing a, and to a lesser degree b and d. However, his advance did not accomplish c.
He turned around to consolidate his troops because he lacked most cavalry (although he did have some, it was of poor quality), and was in enemy country. He heard of the AOP's movements and promptly consolidated his army where several major turnpikes met - Gettysburg
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