Lee mis-used his cavalry

[johncla]

JEB Stuart's cavalry division was made up of seven brigades: 4 regular and 2 irregular brigades. When Stuart took off on his ride around the Army of the Potomac he took 3 regular brigades with him, leaving Lee with 2 regular and 2 irregular cavalry brigades. Unfortunately the two regular brigades were in Virginia, no help at all; and it was the 2 irregular brigades (Jenkins and Imboden) that were with the Army of Northern Virginia in Pennsylvania. Right?

Much of the blame for Lee's problems at Gettysburg are assigned to Stuart, because he was absent and Lee was deprived of good intelligence. However, it seems to me that Lee had the two irregular brigades, and he should have used them. I know he didn't trust them.

Of course, leaving the two regular cavalry brigades behind in Virginia is a complicating factor. Still, even with Stuart absent General Lee had two cavalry brigades in hand; couldn't they have been used for scouting? AFAIK Lee made no use of Imboden and Jenkins at all.

(Buford only had two cavalry brigades on McPherson Ridge.)

 

[frontrank2]

I've always found this very helpful: http://civilwarcavalry.com/?p=1586

 

[rpkennedy]

Much of the blame for Lee's problems at Gettysburg are assigned to Stuart, because he was absent and Lee was deprived of good intelligence. However, it seems to me that Lee had the two irregular brigades, and he should have used them. I know he didn't trust them.

In fairness to Lee, neither Imboden nor Jenkins' Brigades were in a position to help Lee. Jenkins was with Ewell's Corps and Imboden was away raiding.

Of course, leaving the two regular cavalry brigades behind in Virginia is a complicating factor. Still, even with Stuart absent General Lee had two cavalry brigades in hand; couldn't they have been used for scouting? AFAIK Lee made no use of Imboden and Jenkins at all.

Brigadier General Beverly Robertson really dropped the ball here. Stuart had left him orders to follow up the army but he stayed far longer than he should have. Of course, he was incompetent and Lee sent him away from the army after the campaign.

As the book points out, there was plenty of blame to go around.

Ryan

 

[infomanpa]

Hmm..."irregular" brigades? I don't recall Civil War units being referred to that way.

 

[John Hartwell]

unwise posting on my part.
Apologies.

 

[johncla]

Brigadier General Beverly Robertson really dropped the ball here. Stuart had left him orders to follow up the army but he stayed far longer than he should have. Of course, he was incompetent and Lee sent him away from the army after the campaign.

I didn't know that, thanks!