Carronade
Captain
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2011
- Location
- Pennsylvania
This came up on the "Lee break the line" thread and got me wondering, what would the action on Day 2 have looked like if Sickles had remained in his original position?
The South attacks up the Emmitsburg road toward Cemetary Hill,is decimated by artillery fire,and is then attacked in the right flank and rear by the,unseen,federal troops on Cemetary Ridge.This came up on the "Lee break the line" thread and got me wondering, what would the action on Day 2 have looked like if Sickles had remained in his original position?
Well,uh,that was Lee's original plan for Day 2. Ask Longstreet,if you don't believe me.The Confederates wouldn't attack up an empty street.
No? Then ask Mclaws.Yes, Longstreet was aware of Lee's plan.
Like they wouldn't make Pickett's Charge either? It's entirely possible IMO.The Confederates wouldn't attack up an empty street.
No. Had Sickles been in proper position,the Federal Artillery would have devastated the Confederates as on Day 3. Sickles,advanced position,prevents the Federal artillery from engaging on Day 2 because Sickles is in the line of fire from Cemetary Hill. Look at the map. Further,Sickles,had he followed orders,would,then,be in position to strike the Confederates in flank and rear . Lee doesn't know Meade's line extends South as far as Sickles,assigned position,until Mclaw's and Hood's scouts discover Sickles advanced position. Those facts,and the additional fact that Sickles disobeyed orders were the reasons Meade wanted to Court Martial Sickles.If Sickles would have been where we think Meade wanted him on the present day Sedgwick Ave his III Corps would have been too far away to make a big difference on Longstreet's advance. However, Longstreet's advance would have met Hancock's II Corps positioned along Cemetery Ridge. If the Confederates had dislodged the II Corps Meade would have been looking for a new headquarters building and his defensive plan would have been disrupted.
No. Had Sickles been in proper position,the Federal Artillery would have devastated the Confederates as on Day 3. Sickles,advanced position,prevents the Federal artillery from engaging on Day 2 because Sickles is in the line of fire from Cemetary Hill. Look at the map. Further,Sickles,had he followed orders,would,then,be in position to strike the Confederates in flank and rear . Lee doesn't know Meade's line extends South as far as Sickles,assigned position,until Mclaw's and Hood's scouts discover Sickles advanced position. Those facts,and the additional fact that Sickles disobeyed orders were the reasons Meade wanted to Court Martial Sickles.
No,about 100 Federal artillery pieces are on Cemetary Hill and the upper Cemetary ridge,just as it was on Day 3,and could not fire because Sickles was in their line of fire from CH and upper CR toward Sickles. Look at the map.Sickles artillery would have overshot any columns traveling down the Emmitsburg Road.
No,about 100 Federal artillery pieces are on Cemetary Hill and the upper Cemetary ridge,just as it was on Day 3,and could not fire because Sickles was in their line of fire from CH and upper CR toward Sickles. Look at the map.
Well,then,101 you have no excuses. Lol.I've walked that field more times than I can count... I don't need to look at a map.