July First: Hill attacks, is repulsed. Ewell comes down from the North, presses the attack, bring on a general engagment against orders. Hill has to support him. Lee, his troops already engaged and on the enemy flank, decides to press the attack.
Not a bad choice.
Night of July First: Ewell's troops are in the town and around to the east of town. Hills troops along Seminary Ridge. Longstreet coming up. In short, his army is concentrating. The enemy is "routed" and has given up the field of battle. Lee decides that he is in a position of opportunity. He stays where he is.
Not a bad choice.
July 2nd: Plans to attack. Again, Ewells men are in the town, under the guns of Cemetery Hill, and on the lower slopes of Culps hill. Longstreet is still coming up. He Decides to hold tight.
Not a bad choice.
July 2nd: Decides to attack the Enemy Flank. Worked for him in the past. Intel tells him that it is insecure. It is. Pressure on all points of the enemy line will Break the Union army.
Not a bad Choice.
July 2nd and Longstreets Proposals: Longstreet wants to move of to the south. Yet Ewell is stuck in town.He will be observed moving off to the south. Union Cavalry is to the south. 6th Corp still coming up. Stuart not on hand. Wagons are in the rear. Lee decides against such a move.
Not a bad choice.
July third: Lee decides to attack Union center (after his original plan is scratched due to disobeyed orders..). Union center has been weakened. Classic bayonet charge with Ewell attacking on the left flank and Advances by a brigade or two of Mclaws division. Pickett, Pettigrew and Trimble would advance with Ewell and Mclaws, Followed by Anderson and Rodes. PIcketts men would hit the lines, cause confusion and then Anderson and Rodes would bust through.
Not a Bad Choice.
Again, what was done is far from what was planned in most cases.
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