Cemetery Hill Captured By Confederates!

[bankerpapaw]

I don't consider bluebelly any worse than grayback or
Reb. I'm from Arkansas and I have always said
Yankees. It's more of a description of where the
Yankees/bluebellys were from than a put-down.
Oh, by the way. The difference between a Yankee and a **** Yankee is a Yankee is one who comes for a visit and goes back home. A **** Yankee is one who come for a visit and decides to stay.

[M E Wolf]

Dear List Members;

I would like to think that these attacks on the Little Round Top, Cemetery Ridge, Cemetery Hill and Culps Hill; had two missions.

One, take the heights and the second--capture artillery as to 'turn the cannons.'

In the success of the missions--I think the Union would have been doomed, not only loosing the advantage of the heights but, loosing the cannons/artillery that could be used against them. In addition, General Lee would have gained more guns.

But, with the lack of support--it happened as it did.

Sincerely,
M. E. Wolf

[5fish]

On the evening of July 2, Hoke's(Col. Avery) brigade along with Hayes brigade crested cemetery hill around 8pm but had no support from Rodes Division and Gordan didn't come up from behind them.

They silenced the guns facing them and where to the rear of the cannons facing Rodes Division. Hokes battered brigade was within running distance of Meade's headquarters so if Hoke & Hayes brigades would have been supported the battle may have been over that evening.

With Col Avery mortally wounded, Hayes giving up on support from Rodes Div. and Gordon's brigades and the Union begining their counter attack, he chose to retired.

Ewell Corps was surprising successful on the evening July 2, He again had a chance to be the hero of Gettysburg but he was not coordinating the attacks so they failed even with great early success. Like I say "Ewell was the savior of the Union."

[OpnDownfall]

It is my understanding of Early's attack was concentrated on the saddle between Culp's Hill and Cemetary Hill. As the attack progressed Rebel troops extended to their left moving on the Easter slope of Cemetary Hill, when they were hit by Carroll's Brigade of Hancock's corps coming from the 'crest' of Cemetary Hill. If this is true, then Cemetary Hill was not taken, even temporarily.
Does anyone know for sure, if the confederates actually reached the top of Cemetary Hill?
In relation to the What If....? question, Cemetary Hill was the keystone of the Union Line. IF taken and held, Meade, would have to execute the Retreat Plan that was always in the back of his mind.
Losing the position, that late in the evening, would require quick action and improvisation by both Army Commanders and their subordinates. Nothing in this scenario indicates, to me, that Early and Ewell were anywhere near to being in sync. Lee still seems detached and uninvolved, Longstreet is, for the moment, fought out.
IMO, action on Day 3, would devolve upon Meade. During the night he would either be organizing early morning Counterattacks on Cemetary Hill and Culps Hill OR be organizing for a fighting retreat to the Pipe Creek Line further South.
The exhausted condition of the Confederate, infantry and cavalry and general unpreparedness of Lee's supply trains and artillery, not to mention being dangerously low on supplies and ammunition, argues that the Confederate puirsuit would be less than vigorous.
Strategically, Lee is still stuck in the hitherlands of rural Pa. with no really vital strategic goals readily available and the AoP still intact and battle worthy.
If, as I believe, Lee was also just now shaking off the effects of a series of mild heart attacks during the Pa. Campaign, I think Lee would reach the rational conclusion that he had shot his bolt, and nothing remained except to retreat while the retreating was good.

[5fish]

Opn,

You are correct from how I interpret this moment in history. Ewell left the attack in his Division commanders hands and he did not intisipate in it being successful. He stood to the side as the Division tried to coordinate the attack.

Lee was at his headquarters from the time he left Longstreet late morning on July 2, until the next day. He must of been ill for he did not watch any of the fighting on the second day only stayed at his headquarters.

Hayes and Hoke brigades did breeched the hill that evening. Hayes brigade was intact but Hokes as in shambles if they would have had support the battle could have ended that night on a late but unsuspecting successful attack.

Two brigades did not have enough punch to threaten Meade's position.

The whole corps should have been thrown at the union position, but that's Jackson style.