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Brev. Brig. Gen'l
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2005
- Location
- Right here.
"Lee's headquarters tents were pitched in a field beside the Chambersburg Pike, on the western slope of Seminary Ridge When he rose from sleep, an hour before dawn--about the same time Meade drew rein beside the gate on Cemetery Hill--his intention, like his opponent's, was to attack on the right. He had arrived at this decision the previous evening, in the course of a twilight conference north of Gettysburg with Ewell, whom he found gripped by a strange paralysis of will, apparently brought on, or at any rate intensified, by Lee's stipulation that an assault on the bluecoats attempting a rally on the hilltop south of town, though much desired, not only could not be supported by troops outside his corps, as Ewell had requested, but also was to be attempted only if he found it 'practicable,' which Ewell interpreted as meaning that he must be certain of success. It occurred to him that in war few things were certain, least of all success; with the result that he refrained from taking any risk whatever." [Shelby Foote, The Civil War: A Narrative, Vol 2, pp. 486-487]
Did Ewell err in not taking Cemetery Hill? Did he disobey Lee's orders?
Did Ewell err in not taking Cemetery Hill? Did he disobey Lee's orders?