Post by dave on Oct 28, 2017 2:31:32 GMT
QC
I can not speak for Foote but from my reading of his works and interviews he gave, I agree with him about his conclusion regarding Lee at Gettysburg. Lee's order to Ewell to take Cemetery Hill "if practicable" was an example of his trust in his officers to obey his directives was an item Foote mentioned in print and interviews. This example is certainly not to try and convince you of my beliefs as you are as well if not more versed in the history of the Army of Northern Virginia than me.
I am not sure of who would have been better choices than Hill and Ewell to replace Jackson but it is evident that Lee gave discrectionary orders that evidently Jackson understood. Gettysburg demonstrated the limitations of Lee's command style. Both men had only been Corpscommanders for less than 2 months and were feeling their way into command and directly comunicating with Lee.
Lee's choices of directly assaulting the Federal lines on both the second and third day were demands beyond the ability of his troops to perfrom and that is where I believe Lee failed. Longstreet's Assault aka Pickett's Charge was an impossible task that should never had been attempted I believe.
What befell Brigadier General Alfred Iverson's Brigade, Robert E. Rodes' Division, Second Corps, Army of Northern Virginia, consisting of the 5th, 12th, 20th, and 23d North Carolina regiments, was the worst incident of this monumental battle. He and Ring were both poor leaders at best and incompetent at least. I don't believe Iverson was a coward just a piss poor commander. Colonel Col. Edward O'Neal's Alabama brigade was also poorly lead in this incident.
Regards
Dave
I can not speak for Foote but from my reading of his works and interviews he gave, I agree with him about his conclusion regarding Lee at Gettysburg. Lee's order to Ewell to take Cemetery Hill "if practicable" was an example of his trust in his officers to obey his directives was an item Foote mentioned in print and interviews. This example is certainly not to try and convince you of my beliefs as you are as well if not more versed in the history of the Army of Northern Virginia than me.
I am not sure of who would have been better choices than Hill and Ewell to replace Jackson but it is evident that Lee gave discrectionary orders that evidently Jackson understood. Gettysburg demonstrated the limitations of Lee's command style. Both men had only been Corpscommanders for less than 2 months and were feeling their way into command and directly comunicating with Lee.
Lee's choices of directly assaulting the Federal lines on both the second and third day were demands beyond the ability of his troops to perfrom and that is where I believe Lee failed. Longstreet's Assault aka Pickett's Charge was an impossible task that should never had been attempted I believe.
What befell Brigadier General Alfred Iverson's Brigade, Robert E. Rodes' Division, Second Corps, Army of Northern Virginia, consisting of the 5th, 12th, 20th, and 23d North Carolina regiments, was the worst incident of this monumental battle. He and Ring were both poor leaders at best and incompetent at least. I don't believe Iverson was a coward just a piss poor commander. Colonel Col. Edward O'Neal's Alabama brigade was also poorly lead in this incident.
Regards
Dave