Florida Rebel
Corporal
- Joined
- May 31, 2019
Let's just say it this way; we all have our favorites and if our general is catching some ****, we're upset about it. I firmly believe Longstreet was against anything Lee wanted to do for those 3 days. And numerous historians agree so it isn't just me. We all know the attacks were not properly coordinated and that certainly hurt the Rebel effort. Some people blame Lee, but I don't. Lee HAD to have given instructions on what he wanted done. Why was he heard a few times on July 2, "what is taking Longstreet so long?" What about Longstreet's supposed morning attack on July 3? Does anyone really believe a general like Lee could be so casual about his plans on July 2 and 3rd and what he wanted done? But Lee, unlike many other people, is NOT going to throw anyone under the bus and certainly he is not going to blame anyone and put it in writing. He will take responsibility and say it was his fault. That's the character of the man and a big reason why he is so universally admired.
Ewell on day 1, fought well until he stopped late in the day. Could he have taken Cemetery Hill? Again, if he was going to pursue it - it had to be fast. The Union leader at the time, Winfield Scott Hancock, said it may have succeeded if Ewell had acted immediately but not when the Federals had some time to fortify it. Then it would be too late. Some of Ewell's staff members wondered openly what Jackson would have done, after all, they knew him well. Their answer; "Jackson is not here." It's probably better to cut Ewell some slack because he was brand new to corp command, still, many of us think "what would have happened at Gettysburg had Jackson not died?"
Could Longstreet fight offensively? As some other readers point out, he had his moments. But he was NO Jackson when it came to fighting offensively at Gettysburg OR as an independent commander. That's why I was so surprised in March of this year, when I went to Gettysburg, I saw a statue of him on Seminary Ridge. Of course, it was so small, it would be easy to walk by and miss.
Back to the famous battle; it sure was the ONE, big chance for the South to win a big battle on Northern soil. Oh well.
Ewell on day 1, fought well until he stopped late in the day. Could he have taken Cemetery Hill? Again, if he was going to pursue it - it had to be fast. The Union leader at the time, Winfield Scott Hancock, said it may have succeeded if Ewell had acted immediately but not when the Federals had some time to fortify it. Then it would be too late. Some of Ewell's staff members wondered openly what Jackson would have done, after all, they knew him well. Their answer; "Jackson is not here." It's probably better to cut Ewell some slack because he was brand new to corp command, still, many of us think "what would have happened at Gettysburg had Jackson not died?"
Could Longstreet fight offensively? As some other readers point out, he had his moments. But he was NO Jackson when it came to fighting offensively at Gettysburg OR as an independent commander. That's why I was so surprised in March of this year, when I went to Gettysburg, I saw a statue of him on Seminary Ridge. Of course, it was so small, it would be easy to walk by and miss.
Back to the famous battle; it sure was the ONE, big chance for the South to win a big battle on Northern soil. Oh well.