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Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the second day...........grrrrUMP.....grrrrUMP......grrUMP grrUMP grrrUmp.
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I have always wondered, why was Longstreet massing to attack the Peach Orchard? It was not occupied at first and could have just. marched his corps into it.
I have always wondered, why was Longstreet massing to attack the Peach Orchard? It was not occupied at first and could have just. marched his corps into it.
Longstreet's orders are to attack up the Emmitsburg Road and hit the Federal Left which after the end of Day 1 was still north of the Peach Orchard. Longstreet really isn't massing for an assault on the Peach Orchard, Sickles just kind of winds up being in the path of the previously planned assault.
Dan Sickles, the "union savior" never again commanded a corps in the Army of the Potomac.
True, but he is carted off of the field and he does lose his leg. In the Civil War this obviously doesn't seem to stop people from being in command (Hood is quite the example).
From what I have read here, is that the Confederate attack stretches from the Peach Orchard to not quite the base of LRT.
When Longstreet sites McLaws forces perpendicular to the Emmitsburg Road, Lee countermands him and sites McLaws paralell to that road (much to Longstreets displeasure).
To me the question becomes was Longstreet and Lee on the same page, as to how the attack was to develop? If not, whose fault is it; Lee and his famous indirect instructions (orders?) or Longstreet's fixation on maneuvering causing him to misunderstanding Lee's intentions?
P.S. Of course, the more basic question concerning Sickles movement, was his corps sufficient to defeat Lee's plan of attack (whatever it was) if he had remained on the low ground to Hancocks's left? Confederate Corps were almost twice as big and Union Corps and Meade had apparently not made precise plans for reinforcing his Left, if it came under an overwhelming attack sooner than he expected.
From what I have read here, is that the Confederate attack stretches from the Peach Orchard to not quite the base of LRT..
This is actually what develops, you have to remember that Hood hooks around Sickles to an empty Little Round Top because Sickles is in the way. Lee is looking to hit the Federal left flank (which on Day 2 becomes the Union Center). If Sickles isn't in the Peach Orchard he isn't going to be assaulted. This is the core of my 'Sickles Defense' - from the events of the day we do know that Anderson gets some units through, but they can't do anything with the penetration. If Hood and McLaws land on the same spot, that is a lot of firepower; question is does it cause a breakthrough? (We'll never know)
Quote:
Originally Posted by OpnDownfall
When Longstreet sites McLaws forces perpendicular to the Emmitsburg Road, Lee countermands him and sites McLaws paralell to that road (much to Longstreets displeasure).
To me the question becomes was Longstreet and Lee on the same page, as to how the attack was to develop? If not, whose fault is it; Lee and his famous indirect instructions (orders?) or Longstreet's fixation on maneuvering causing him to misunderstanding Lee's intentions?..
I don't think Longstreet misunderstands Lee, I think Longstreet simply disagrees with Lee and is not vigilant in putting the plan into action. Longstreet doesn't believe the Confederates should be launching any attack and favors the slip around the flank and receive a Federal attack plan (he believes in the strategic offensive/tactical defensive); this is why Longstreet's reputation has received a boost in recent years, because its not a war favoring attackers.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OpnDownfall
P.S. Of course, the more basic question concerning Sickles movement, was his corps sufficient to defeat Lee's plan of attack (whatever it was) if he had remained on the low ground to Hancocks's left? Confederate Corps were almost twice as big and Union Corps and Meade had apparently not made precise plans for reinforcing his Left, if it came under an overwhelming attack sooner than he expected.
If Sickles stays in position, the Confederate punch hits Hancock, not Sickles. From the events in the Peach Orchard, its clear that Sickles' corps is insufficient to defeat the entire punch; but it does absorb a major portion of the blow.
Such a scenario, would imply that Lee and/or Longstreet did not know where the Union Left was, with any degree of accuracy.
I believe Hood reported that he was surprised to be facing a Union Line of Battle as he Lined his Divion up to attack, apparently well to the South of LRT and his later movements to include that Hill in his attack, was his attempt to get around the eastern flank of the Union forces facing south towards him.
Is it possible Lee thought Hancock's left was the terminus of the Union left?
I think there is little doubt that Sickle's forward movement did disrupt the confederate attack on the Union position on Cemetary Ridge (wherever Lee thought that was) because 3d Corps was not where the Confederates expected them to be.
In the end, 3d Corps was overwhelmed by superior numbers and if they had received the attack in their original unfortified Cemetary Ridge position, would not superior numbers have told, anyway?
In the end, 3d Corps was overwhelmed by superior numbers and if they had received the attack in their original unfortified Cemetary Ridge position, would not superior numbers have told, anyway?
Sickles would be covering the end of Cemetery Ridge terminating his line at the Round Tops, if he had stayed in position. Hancock would of course be on Sickles right. I believe the Confederate assault is aimed at Hancock's left which after Day 1 is the Federal left. As such, I don't think Longstreet's assault would've hit Sickles at all.
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