Lemme get this straight...

[CivilWarTalk]

Okay I'm reading a book called "Hearts in Conflict" a so called one volume history of the CW. I just read about Gettysburg, and after reading it, I got an impression of the lead in to the battle of Gettysburg that I'm not sure is correct:

Lee moved north in his first offensive of the war, the north reacted slowly and ended up chasing him north instead of blocking him. When Lee reached Harrisburg? he made a U-turn and started south again right in the face of the northern army. Heading in the direction of Washington?

Is this an accurate impression of what happened? The rest of the book made more sense to me. I'm not ready to fault the author for my impressions, it may just be me, I've had a lot on my mind as I've read this, with all that's going on lately.

Maybe I need to re-read that chapter....

Mike

 

[skirmishgirl]

As far as I understand it, Lee moved north to pull the Union army out of Virginia...I don't know that he menat to start an all out battle, but simply to relieve northern VA of Union troops for a while.

 

[CivilWarTalk]

That could be more accurate, I think my brain was in auto-pilot mode when I read that chapter, maybe it's best if I just go back and read it again...

Mike

 

[alice148th]

I was under the impression that Lee's objective was Harrisburg where he planned to blow up the bridge over the Susquehanna River; thus eliminating a major crossing point for the Union
armies. Keep in mind that PA's largest staging camp for new regiments was Camp Curtin just outside of Harrisburg.

I'm less clear on why he turned around, unless it was to go to Cashtown for shoes.

Alice

 

[CivilWarTalk]

I'm looking through my book again and I think I somehow skipped a page or two, I think that's why I'm missing some facts as to what the deal was. I'm going to have to re-read the whole chapter to fill in the holes...

 

[hoosier]

Lee did not ever actually reach Harrisburg. There is a historical marker on Market St. just off Route 15 in Camp Hill, PA, marking the point of the closest Confederate advance toward Harrisburg. That is still a mile or two west of the Susquehanna River and the bridge leading into Harrisburg.

I believe the citizens of Harrisburg were worried that their city was Lee's objective, but I haven't read any historians who can say with certainty that it really was.

 

[connyankee]

I believe that Harrisburg was indeed one of Lee's objectives, second only to his positioning of the ANV to threaten Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington and lending itself to give battle to the AOP on chosen, favorable ground. That the greatest battle was fought at Gettysburg was a mistake. The reason it was fought there is simple - all of the roads in the area lead there.

I have not read this book. I am wondering why the author claims, if he does, that this was Lee's first offensive. What was Lee's intention during the Maryland campaign of 1862?

I'm also wondering whether this book is a response, of sorts, to McPherson's "Battle Cry of Freedom". I'll read just about anything, of course. Do you think I should read this one?

 

[CivilWarTalk]

I haven't been a big reader of one volume histories of the Civil War, this book is okay to read. I don't know the history well enough to tell you if anything I'm reading is accurate. Like I've mentioned before, my head has not been in it's proper place as of late, and I'm not getting everything I should be from this book. Once I can get my mind back where it belongs I'll re-read the chapters in question and try to re explain what was said...

One point to take note of, I bought this book, "Hearts in Conflict" about 6 weeks ago, it's hard cover, and it only cost me $8 at Barnes & Noble, it was in the Bargin Books section. Why would you buy a soft cover copy for $19 when you can buy the hard cover for less...

I don't know if B&N is out of stock on this book or not, but for the price, it still makes for an interesting read.

Now I just have to work on my McPherson collection, which is lacking....

Mike

 

[belletraveler]

I also think that Harrisburg was one of Lee's objectives being the capital of Pennsylvania (if I recall my reading correctly). I also believe that he turned towards Gettysburg, as it was pointed out, because all roads converged there and there were rumors that there may be the possiblity of obtaining shoes.

As for why he turned right into the Union army, one has to keep in mind that Lee was missing his eyes and ears of the army (Jeb Stuart-who was off on a ride around the Union army), thus Lee did not know the Union army's exact location and was under the impression (in the beginning of the battle) that he was only up against a few regiments and not the entire Union army.

Belle

 

[bandit]

Mike,

I have always believed that Lee's objectives were to a) relieve VA of the strain of war, b)gain supply for his troops, c) relieve pressure on the Confederate forces at Vicksburg, and d) threaten a few big cities while he was at it. He was very succesful in accomplishing a, and to a lesser degree b and d. However, his advance did not accomplish c.

He turned around to consolidate his troops because he lacked most cavalry (although he did have some, it was of poor quality), and was in enemy country. He heard of the AOP's movements and promptly consolidated his army where several major turnpikes met - Gettysburg

 

[nmcurtis]

Mike,
I'm of the same mind as you that this WAS NOT Lee's first offensive campaign. His campaign into Maryland in 1862 certainly wasn't a defensive campaign (although it did relieve Virginia of the yoke of war for the harvest). I do know his objective was Harrisburg. I'm not positive as to why he did not continue north. Perhaps the absence of his cavalry and good intellgence forced him to alter his strategy. Obviously it's time for me to pull out the books and start reading up on the campaign! BTW, a fairly good book about the battle, especially if you're planning a visit, is "Guide to the Battle of Gettysburg" from the U.S. Army War College Guides to Civil War Battles series. It a really in depth guide to the battle that follows the auto tour and give a great deal of information.

 

[drafter1411]

My understanding is that Lee didn't won't to fight here, but General Health attacked Buford's Cav thinking it was militia.
He recalled his Ewell and the rest of his scattered army after it was confirmed that it was federal cav in the area and as Longstreet pointed out the infantry couldn't be far behind. Don't forget that Harris (Longstreet's spy) and told him that all 7 corp. of the AOP was on the move towards them. I feel that Lee not knowing what was coming up had to make a stand. Stewart was off riding around the Union lines luding and harassing their supply train. Lee needed more intelligent on the field and had none. Although I think on the first day Ewell should have pushed harder.

 

[DixieRifles]

I am wondering why the author claims, if he does, that this was Lee's first offensive. What was Lee's intention during the Maryland campaign of 1862?

In general, that description seemed fairly accurate if it was just intended as a broad introduction to a detail description of the battle--- except for the part about Lee's first campaign.

Last year, I read two books on Gettysburg. One was about Day 1 and one was about JEB Stuart's campaign while away from the Army. As I recall, Lee was moving north to pull the Union army away from Washington and he planned to turn and meet it out in the open.

 

[Rob9641]

I'm of the same opinion re "first invasion" - it was the second, the Maryland campaign being the first. Lee never intended to go a few miles over the Potomac and zip back into Virginia after a week or so. He had moved Longstreet all the way up to Hagerstown. He was going to Pennsylvanis in 1862 - he just got stopped.

Re: how far he got in Pennsylvania - Lee himself never made it to Harrisburg or anywhere near it. Ewell made it up to Camp Hill. Lee had spread his army out again, just as he did in the Maryland campaign; he himself was closer to Chambersburg at his farthest north. Also, as in the Maryland campaign, the Union Army moved more quickly than he expected, not more slowly, but in a defensive mode. It had to spread out to protect Washington and Baltimore because Hooker/Meade did not know where Lee was going. Without adequate cavalry on the lookout, Lee was taken somewhat by surprise when Buford and Heth met at Gettysburg. That meeting looked like the chance to clobber the Union Army when it happened, so Lee took the chance and consolidated his infantry there.

Cutting Lee off as he moved north was not really much of an option for the AOP, since its primary goal was protecting Washington, Baltimore, and if necessary Philadelphia. There was no way Lincoln wanted the ANV between Washington and the AOP.

 

[Tennessee_Mountainman]

This thread was started when I was 9 months and 5 days old. Wow