Pipe Creek

[MikeyB]

Why did Meade assume that if he prepared a strong position at Pipe Creek that Lee would attack him there? Both before Gettysburg started and as a fallback contingency on July 1st?

Why wouldn't Lee just keep moving North, living off the land, reigning havoc and terror on the Northern population? Everyone was focusing on Washington, but if you want the Union populace to get tired of war, bring the war to their doorstop. I would think the ANV marching around NY or NJ would do the trick very quickly and give the good citizens of the Union a taste of their own medicine.

If Meade hangs out in Pipe Creek, why not keep going North, sack NYC as an extreme example (akin to Sherman), and wait for Meade to come after you on ground of your choosing?

 

[SF_Byers]

My impression was that Lee's supply and communication lines were always a concern of his. That is why he still had some cavalry along the Potomac.

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

Given Lee's willingness to attack at Gettysburg I don't know that him attacking at Pipe Creek is unrealistic.

I think Pipe Creek was more about concentrating the AOTP in a strong position from which to hopefully be attacked but otherwise be prepared to react to his moves.

Lee rampaging through the northeast indefinitely isn't as practical as it sounds at first glance.

First, Lee's objectives were securing supplies and bringing Meade to a decisive battle where he couldn't escape. An indefinite northward doesn't really accomplish those goals. He also has no pontoon train for the major rivers he will encounter.

Second, consider the other such moves during the war by army-size units. Sherman's marches were carefully planned one-way trips with his corps spread out and moving steadily. He started out from strong bases of supply, moved toward reliable resupply from the Union Navy, faced sparse opposition, and had options in the face of any unexpected problems.

Grant's move from below Vicksburg and Sherman's raid on Meridian were both short campaigns where they cut loose from their supplies only for a short time.

Lee is marching into the unknown. He can live off the land, but he's not moving toward any kind of friendly support. He's got to capture not only food, but ammunition and fresh horses. The Union has an excellent rail system to move troops. Lee might spread panic, but the farther he goes the greater the chance he's the one who gets trapped.

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

My impression was that Lee's supply and communication lines were always a concern of his. That is why he still had some cavalry along the Potomac.

Lee made good use of the mountains to screen his line of communication back to VA.