Why Was Mine Run A Debacle

[War Horse]

Meade finally gave the order to attack yet the operation failed! Why do you suppose this happened?

 

[Bee]

In a nutshell:

Rather than attack Lee head on, as Ambrose E. Burnside had done to disastrous effect the year before at Fredericksburg, Meade devised a more modest plan to turn Lee's right flank. He would send Warren's Second Corps, French's Third Corps, and George Sykes's Fifth Corps across the Rapidan and then west to the high ground across a small, north-to-south-running creek called Mine Run. Unfortunately for Meade, French had trouble crossing the rain-swollen Rapidan, causing traffic jams down the line of Union forces; then he took a wrong turn on his way to Mine Run.

Lee was still positioned east of the creek, in an infamous stretch of trees and tangled underbrush known as the Wilderness, and on the afternoon of November 27, Early's men encountered Warren's Second Corps near Robertson's Tavern (also known as Robinson's Tavern or what Confederate forces referred to as Locust Grove). Several Confederate divisions formed a battle line stretching from the Orange Turnpike to Payne's Farm farther north, and the fighting—which now included French, who had become lost yet again—seesawed, with neither side able to gain a decisive advantage. That night, during a cold rain, Lee pulled back to the west side of Mine Run and onto the high ground. He now was protected by the Rapidan to the north and by Mine Run to the east.
https://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/Mine_Run_Campaign#start_entry

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[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

Meade made the mistake of not having his most competent subordinates lead the way because of how the corps had been arranged opposite Lee to begin with.

Lee then took up a strong defensive position. Meade planned to flank this position as well, but failed to surprise Lee who had shifted troops accordingly. Warren recognized the situation for what it was and called off the attack.

Meade might have tried another flanking move, but he was feeling his line was getting stretched dangerously plus winter weather was setting in.

Should be remembered that Mine Run took place in part of the Wilderness, and much like Chancellorsville and the later eponymous battle there the terrain played havoc on the Union.

 

[War Horse]

Meade made the mistake of not having his most competent subordinates lead the way because of how the corps had been arranged opposite Lee to begin with.

Lee then took up a strong defensive position. Meade planned to flank this position as well, but failed to surprise Lee who had shifted troops accordingly. Warren recognized the situation for what it was and called off the attack.

Meade might have tried another flanking move, but he was feeling his line was getting stretched dangerously plus winter weather was setting in.

Should be remembered that Mine Run took place in part of the Wilderness, and much like Chancellorsville and the later eponymous battle there the terrain played havoc on the Union.

What I find interesting about Mine Run are the events leading to it as well as the aborted battle itself. Lincolns hands off style (sarcasm) of allowing his commanding general to manage his army. The enormous pressure on Meade to have another major engagement before winter. The misssed opportunities along the way which began with the repulse of Pickett's charge at Gettysburg. Finally, after months of frustration Meade finally felt comfortable to order the attack, then nothing.

 

[Rebforever]

moved.

 

[Rebforever]

Meade made the mistake of not having his most competent subordinates lead the way because of how the corps had been arranged opposite Lee to begin with.

You are right. the beginning of the fight, General Lee was getting the best of Meade when it got dark.
French was the screwup for him.

Lee then took up a strong defensive position.

Yes, that was on the hills on the west side of Mine Run. Meade, in my opinion, would not have moved General Lee off those ridges at all. Those hills were dug up making that area like a huge fort.

Meade planned to flank this position as well, but failed to surprise Lee who had shifted troops accordingly.

Yes, he move after dark.

Warren recognized the situation for what it was and called off the attack.

He talked with Meade to take a look with him to see what General Lee had done which was the next morning after the fight at Payne's Farm fight.

Meade might have tried another flanking move, but he was feeling his line was getting stretched dangerously plus winter weather was setting in.

The rain and ice storm was one the area had never seen before. There was 6-8 inches of ice on the ground making it impossible to move around with the animals, cannons, and men. That was what Warren was discussing with Meade and they decided to back off.

Should be remembered that Mine Run took place in part of the Wilderness, and much like Chancellorsville and the later eponymous battle there the terrain played havoc on the Union.

The fighting at Payne's farm and New Hope Church was pretty much open. Crossing Mine Run would have racked up a huge lose of men For General Meade.


Battle of Mine Run, also known as Payne's Farm, or New Hope Church

https://www.civilwar.org/learn/maps/battle-mine-run-paynes-farm-november-27-1863