- Joined
- Feb 27, 2017
- Location
- Ohio
In his history of the battle, Francis Palfrey pointed out that Nicodemus Heights were "far enough to the west to enable the force holding it to take not only in flank but in reverse the whole of the Confederate position." It seems that if Hooker had decided to seize the Heights in force, Lee's position would have been untenable.
McClellan had not carried out any sort of reconnaissance on that part of the field, and I am unaware that anyone from the Engineers staff did so either. Hooker was sent across the Antietam to assault Lee's left, so it would seem that the decision of how to attack was left to him.
The axis of the attack was south along the Hagerstown Pike, with Nicodemus Heights more or less ignored. I am interested in anyone's thoughts or comments on this missed opportunity. Thanks.
McClellan had not carried out any sort of reconnaissance on that part of the field, and I am unaware that anyone from the Engineers staff did so either. Hooker was sent across the Antietam to assault Lee's left, so it would seem that the decision of how to attack was left to him.
The axis of the attack was south along the Hagerstown Pike, with Nicodemus Heights more or less ignored. I am interested in anyone's thoughts or comments on this missed opportunity. Thanks.