archieclement
Colonel
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2011
- Location
- mo
No never argued it was over before it began at all......that requires using our hindsight they never had.I'm not sure that's entirely relevant to the post you're replying to?
If what you're saying is that "it was over before it began" because Pickett's Charge had no chance to succeed, then surely it's worth evaluating whether Pickett's Charge had no chance to succeed or a reasonable chance to succeed, and Lee certainly thought it was possible (with his initial intent).
I think what's going on is that Lee is focusing on the possibilities offered by success (to whit: if all the brigades go in then there's a good chance of success) and Longstreet on the risks of failure (to whit: if all the brigades go in and are repulsed then the army is vulnerable). They are both weighing both possibilities, but make different decisions on the matter.
As I previously stated the only way to prove the centre wasn't the weak link as percieved at the time by Lee (whose decision it was to make) is to carry out the ordered attack.
No attack, there's no reason for Lee to believe the centre was not ripe for attack.....which would leave Longstreet culpable and responsible for the perceived monumental failure
As far as launching the attack, if Lee and Longstreet differ in opinion, it is irrelevant, as one is the superior and one the subordinate. That's why there is a chain of command.