As I read it (of course, I wasn't there), it wasn't so much that Lee failed as Jackson was dead (a real what-if. If a better commander had been around?)and Hill was sick (if Hill was at full capability?).
More directly to the point, Longstreet was busy arguing and delaying instead of deploying troops as ordered and Jeb Stuart was uncharacteristically off somewhere unknown when needed most.
Plans are the first thing to fail when the battle starts, but that one simple charge may have made the difference in today's history (along with many other if-onlys in the war)
But who knows if a Confederate victory would have been better in the long run?
It is what it is now and we have our own battles to fight.
Happy July 4th
And may our nation have many more with true meaning to come. Q
Quizikle, interesting thoughts. I'm not sure that the South could have done anything on that battlefield during the third day.
Indeed, the Union troops, as they say Picket's men advancing across that long field, chanted "Fredericksburg! Fredericksburg!" They knew what it felt like to assault well dug in opponents.
But this is one of the great discussion topics of our time, worthy of Faulkner. That says it all.
As I read it (of course, I wasn't there), it wasn't so much that Lee failed as Jackson was dead (a real what-if. If a better commander had been around?)and Hill was sick (if Hill was at full capability?).
ReplyDeleteMore directly to the point, Longstreet was busy arguing and delaying instead of deploying troops as ordered and Jeb Stuart was uncharacteristically off somewhere unknown when needed most.
Plans are the first thing to fail when the battle starts, but that one simple charge may have made the difference in today's history (along with many other if-onlys in the war)
But who knows if a Confederate victory would have been better in the long run?
It is what it is now and we have our own battles to fight.
Happy July 4th
And may our nation have many more with true meaning to come.
Q
Quizikle, interesting thoughts. I'm not sure that the South could have done anything on that battlefield during the third day.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, the Union troops, as they say Picket's men advancing across that long field, chanted "Fredericksburg! Fredericksburg!" They knew what it felt like to assault well dug in opponents.
But this is one of the great discussion topics of our time, worthy of Faulkner. That says it all.