How much did Meade know?

[BCS1973]

Where was Jenkins on July 1? He was screening Rodes and Early as they approached Gettysburg. Was he covering Ewell's rear against Couch possibly lunging across the Susquehanna from Harrisburg?

I think he was just catching up. Ewell left Carlisle without telling A.G. Jenkins. I believe Jenkins was still engaged in the Sporting Hill area outside Harrisburg when he found out. Ultimately, he retreated to Carlisle and ended up there just after midnight on the 1st. About 2:00 am on the 1st, they were in modern day York Springs. The only rear Jenkins was covering at that time was his own, utilizing Griffin's Baltimore Light Artillery. I suspect that Ewell may not have been especially concerned about his rear as he possibly knew that what was waiting for him at Harrisburg was not an attack capable force. Jenkins had re conned the defenses in front of H-burg and modern day Lemoyne a day or two prior.

 

[RedRover]

double post.

 

[Rhea Cole]

Particularly when operating on home territory where the locals were eager to help in most cases. For much of the war this was an advantage enjoyed by the Confederates, but in Pennsylvania they experienced the intelligence gathering handicaps of the invading army.

Until this thread, I was unaware of how extensive and organized the Federal efforts at intelligence gathering were. Perhaps this was the result of the challenges Union commanders faced because most of their battles were in hostile states? Using this same line of thought, perhaps it was not as well organized by the Confederates because it was less difficult to collect the needed information?

Meade had Davis' response to Lee's request for support during his Pennsylvania incursion. It was captured by Union scouts when they intercepted a courier in Pennsylvania. Davis' answer would not have been of much use to Lee because Davis categorically refused the aide he had requested.

During the battle, Meade was receiving real time dispatches from 13 Signal Corps stations of observation on hight points throughout the battle space.

 

[Tom Elmore]

John C. Babcock was credited with discovering " Lee's forward movement." He was an interesting individual.

John C. Babcock - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[35th MA InfRegt]

Might I suggest the following book which addresses this very topic? Unfortunately, I have very little concrete memory of this work so cannot answer the OP's question

Much Embarrassed: Civil War Intelligence and the Gettysburg Campaign (Wolverhampton Military Studies Book 23) eBook : Donne, George: Amazon.ca: Kindle Store

Much Embarrassed: Civil War Intelligence and the Gettysburg Campaign (Wolverhampton Military Studies Book 23) eBook : Donne, George: Amazon.ca: Kindle Store

www.amazon.ca