Quote:
Originally Posted by alamostation
Actually the pivotal moment was when Lee disregarded Longstreet's advice to fight a defensive battle to the south and east of Gettysburg where the Confederates controlled the high ground.
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Ahh the myth of the lost cause.
It is true that both armies fought better on defense than offense, so anytime you could coax the opponent to attack you in land of your choosing was good.
However, the idea from Longstreet that he could just swing around the Union left and get into their rear is, IMO, a myth.
At the time of his early recon ( by Alexander, IIRC), that might have been true, but by the time any attack could have been mounted, it would have run smack into Union forces coming up the Baltimore Pike, and likely would have been also attacked by the Union reserves that were behind the Round Tops. Besides, the ANV was in enemy territory, and without supply trains. It would have been forced to forage for food. Meade could simply surround them, and wait until they starved, or attacked him in his prepared positions.
Its grand to think thru these ideas, isn't it?