- Joined
- Nov 8, 2018
After the mortal wounding of Stonewall Jackson on the 2nd of May, midway through the Battle of Chancellorsville, Lee decided to give command of his corps to J.E.B. Stuart. He apparently did well on May 3rd, but was soon reverted back to the Cavalry Division and the Corps was split and given Ewell and A. P. Hill as commanders.
What if Lee had kept Stuart in command of the 2nd Corps? Would he have done better as an infantry commander?
I believe so. Commanding Infantry meant that Stuart could not perform his encircling raids he was so fond of, which arguably was what lost Lee the Battle of Gettysburg. If Hampton were given command of the cavalry, a less cavalier-minded officer, I doubt he'd pull the same stunt. And I presume he'd be more aggressive than Ewell if given the "if practicable" order.
Then again, I am not that well read on the AoNV at Chancellorsville, or Stuart specifically for that matter.
What if Lee had kept Stuart in command of the 2nd Corps? Would he have done better as an infantry commander?
I believe so. Commanding Infantry meant that Stuart could not perform his encircling raids he was so fond of, which arguably was what lost Lee the Battle of Gettysburg. If Hampton were given command of the cavalry, a less cavalier-minded officer, I doubt he'd pull the same stunt. And I presume he'd be more aggressive than Ewell if given the "if practicable" order.
Then again, I am not that well read on the AoNV at Chancellorsville, or Stuart specifically for that matter.