- Joined
- Aug 16, 2015
This was Lee's 'leave alone' leadership style. He was a charismatic leader and a great tactician. But once he spelled out his masterful plan, he left the execution totally up to subordinates. When one looks at his great successes, invariably they were achieved by the efforts of his excellent subordinates.I have always been under the impression that Lee did not receive an adequate "hot wash" the results of the first two days of fighting had on the forces he committed to the attack on July 3rd. IIRC, upon reviewing Heth's bloodied division prior to the attack, he had commented to the effect that had he known his division was in such bad shape, he would not have included Heth in his attack plans. I wonder how many other incorrect assessments were made based on his lack information concerning the condition of his own forces, much less that of the Federals on July 3.
Anyone who has ever been in a leadership position knows that there is a crucial and difficult to define balance that must be achieved in delegating responsibility. The complex battle plan he drew up for the third day at Gettysburg required a more 'hands-on' approach. Contrast Lee's performance that day with Meade's: Meade was 'out and about', supervising troop movements.
Either Lee failed to consider the effect the previous two days had on his troops or he was very poorly served by his small staff.