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hazlett
Recruit
USA
Status: offline |
 Posted - August 29 2002 : 12:06:54 AM
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Who's to blame for the failure of Longstreet's assualt on Cemetary Ridge on July 3, 1863? Was it Lee's blunder to even attempt such an assualt? Probably, but his assualt plan wasn't followed in many regards. So where does the rest of the blame fall in the command structure? Is Pettigrew mostly to blame for the miscommunications he created? Is Hill to blame for volunteering a division he knew was battle weary? Is Ewell to blame for not pressing Cemetery Hill? Are Alexander or Pendleton to blame for miss handling artillery supplies? Is Longstreet to blame for not ordering the second assualt wave?
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Rich
Commander-in-Chief
USA
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Posted - September 25 2002 : 7:23:12 PM
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Interesting question! My own feeling is that the Battle of Gettysburg was lost on Day One, by Richard Ewell's failure to take the high ground of Cemetery & Culps Hill. Now, whether this was even possible, given the condition of the troops, is subject to much debate, but imagine for a moment that Stonewall Jackson had not been killed and was still in command of that Corps! [or it's equivalent if Lee had not restructured the Army of Northern Virginia]
But, if we restrict it to Day 3 only, I'll throw another variable into the equation. What if Stuart's cavalry had succeeded in seriously threatening the Union rear simultaneous to the assault by Pickett et al? What then? |
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wILD I
Brigadier General
Ireland
Status: offline |
Posted - May 13 2004 : 08:37:57 AM
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Pickett's charge failed because the confederate artillary fire was ineffective and was only used as preparation and not as support.
Supporting fire would have broken up federal infantry concentrations would have reduced federal fire control and would have hindered reinforcements reaching the front lines.The effect on confederate morale would have been enormous.
I dont know enough about civil war artillary but I do think that if the Confederates had the ability to lay down a creeping barrage in support of the infantry they would have had a good chance of victory.
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KPolacek
Recruit
USA
Status: offline |
Posted - July 26 2004 : 12:36:06 AM
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Blame? Not really.
Saw something which has changed my mind about Pickett's charge. Pennsylvania Cable Network carries Ranger talks from the battlefield every year. This year, I watched one given by Troy Harmon featuring the ground covered by Pickett's Division. It was a big surprise to me. Pickett was farther south than I though and he was not to aim for the Angle. Instead, he was to strike a gap in the Union lines where Caldwell's II Corps division had been pulled out. Caldwell's division had suffered heavy casualties on Day 2 in support of Sickels. This left a gap near a group of trees. In this group of trees sat part of Hunt's artillery reserve. Hunt had ordered them not to fire during the bombardment and it is likely Confederate troops did not know of their existence.
According to Harmon, Pickett was to strike the left flank of the Union II Corps in the gap. This would hopefully result in Union troops being taken from Cemetery Hill to halt Pickett. Other Confederate units would then break the Union line on Cemetery Hill. Anyway, Union artillery suddenly appeared on Pickett's right flank, forcing his brigades to the left and breaking up the plan.
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Who's to blame for Pickett's Charge?
