GETTYSBURG

Gettysburg



Gettysburg

Introduction

The battle of Gettysburg depicts various top-notch tactical planning that must be considered and followed for any course of action. Battle of Gettysburg is the greatest battle of the Civil War Era, which took place between July 1 and July 3, 1863 near the town of Gettysburg in the state Pennsylvania. The defeat at Gettysburg ended the Confederate invasion attempts of Yankee territory. 

Discussion

Tactical Courses of Action Available and Chosen

Lee reorganized his army into three corps for the tactical course of action. James Longstreet retained command of the First Corps. The other, previously commanded by Stonewall

Jackson, mortally wounded at Chancellorsville, was divided into two: Richard Ewell took command of the Second Corps, while Ambrose Powell Hill led the Third Corps. The Cavalry Division was placed under the command of James Stuart (Catton, 1963).

Constant Monitoring

First, Lee had ordered Gen. Jeb Stuart and his cavalry to stay closer to the army and constantly explore the situation in order to clarify the positions of the northerners as a part of tactical plan. He allowed Stewart to go into a long road, which he was able to join the army of Lee only on the second day of battle. But it was too late. Lee was deprived of the most important information and support to the cavalry, which was required to provide General Jeb Stuart.

Defending Side

The defending side did not have enough time to preparing tactical courses and secure their position. They decided to attack every possible actions of Lee army. In this course of actions, they were benefited by the lack of coordination by the opposing party. They endeavored to follow each and every actions of the leader to create a coordinated scenario (Sears, 2003).

Result of the Strategy

Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia could have still won the war if had not caused the second case of fragmented command. Military historians largely agree that the failure of General James Long Street address early in the morning of July was a decisive action (or rather, inaction), which resulted from the defeat of the Confederacy. Early in the morning Lee Longstreet gave the order to address and capture the hill Little Round Top on the edge of Cemetery Ridge. Longstreet opposed this order. He believed that it is better to try to encircle the left flank. Union and attack from behind. As a result, he kept in his division idle nearly all the second day. When, finally, he gave the order to attack, northerners have realized where the danger was located, and they immediately strengthen the forces of Little Round Top. Many historians agree that this failure led to the eventual defeat of the Confederate Army at the Battle of Gettysburg (Clark, 1985). At the end of May 1863, the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, totaling 77,000 men divided into three bodies (the first Longstreet's corps, the 2nd of Richard Ewell and AP Hill 3rd). In the Yankee camp, the commander of the Army of the Potomac, Joseph Hooker, did not realize that Lee would depart nine days ...