- Joined
- Oct 10, 2012
- Location
- Mt. Jackson, Va
On the first day of Gettysburg, General Lee gave instructions to General Ewell to take Culp's Hill," if practicable." Ewell was the newly minted Second Corps commander of the ANV , since Stonewall Jackson was mortally wounded at Chancellorsville two months earlier. This was Ewell's first major engagement as a corps commander, and his interpretation of Lee's orders dictated that his men were in no condition for an attack on the Federal position there. And we all know that the 12th Corps under Gen. George S. Greene went on to fortify Culp's Hill and make it exceedingly difficult for the Confederates to take it, which they never did. On account of his inaction, Gen. Ewell went on to garner heavy criticism after the battle was over, some even blaming him for the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg. Opinions anyone?