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What was the advice of Confederate Generals Longstreet and Alexander on General Lee's offensive tactics at the Battle of Gettysburg?
Experienced Confederate generals Longstreet and Alexander believed that General Lee's best tactical move on the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg was to create a defensive line on Seminary Ridge. In their judgment, this would have compelled Union General Meade to attack the well established Rebel lines for both tactical reasons and for also political ones as well. It's clear that the presence of the Army of Northern Virginia established now as far north as Pennsylvania would demand offensive operations from the Army of the Potomac.
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How did Confederate General James Longstreet rate General Lee in an 1893 newspaper article?
In a 1893 newspaper article former Confederate Lieutenant General James Longstreet evaluated General Lee in two major categories. One was Lee's effectiveness when fighting on the defense and the other was Lee's performance on the offense. Longstreet said that Lee was "perfect" when leading a defensive battle. Longstreet was less enthusiastic on Lee's offensive abilities. There Longstreet politely said that Lee was not a "master in offensive battles".
What specific plan of action did General Longstreet propose to General Lee as dawn broke on the second day of battle at Gettysburg?
Confederate General James Longstreet had grave misgivings about Lee's offensive mindset at Gettysburg. Of course a resounding offensive victory would shake the North and Washington DC to the bone. Despite that, Longstreet believed an offensive operation on day 2 was not worth the risk.Longstreet present ed to Lee his own plan. this would entail a broad turning movement on the Union's left flank which would place a Confederate army between Meade's main force and Washington DC. For Meade this would be a military and political nightmare. President Lincoln and General in Chief Halleck would understand the threat to be severe. Meade would would then be forced to attack the Rebel's entrenched positions, resulting in a battle along the lines of Fredericksburg and Second Bull Run.
Was James Longstreet at the Battle of Little Round Top?
After Jackson' death at Chancellorsville, Longstreet became Lee's top field commander. He was determined to impose his idea of moving the army to the right to interpose the rebels between Washington and the Union army, forcing them to attack fortified rebel lines. Lee considered the plan, then decided against it. Longstreet was sullen and sulky after, and told Lee he thought Pickett's charge would fail, which it did. Whether or not if Longstreet's plan would have wprked remains a debate to this day.
Was the attack on Gettysburg the final attempt to invade the north?
Not counting a few guerrilla cavalry raids, the Battle of Gettysburg would be the last time a Confederate army would undertake an offensive on northern soil.
What did General Longstreet try to tell General Robert E Lee?
General James Longstreet often attempted to advise General Robert E. Lee on more cautious and defensive tactics during the Civil War, particularly during the Gettysburg campaign. He believed that a more strategic, defensive approach could conserve Confederate forces and resources, rather than engaging in aggressive assaults. Longstreet's recommendations were often met with resistance from Lee, who favored bold, offensive maneuvers. This tension highlighted differing military philosophies between the two generals.
And Gettysburg what action was that directed by Confederate General George Pickett?
At the Battle of Gettysburg, Confederate General George Pickett is best known for leading Pickett's Charge on July 3, 1863. This ambitious assault involved approximately 12,500 Confederate soldiers advancing across open ground toward Union positions on Cemetery Ridge. The charge resulted in heavy Confederate casualties and is often seen as a turning point in the Civil War, marking the decline of the Confederate Army's offensive capabilities.
What did Confederate General James Longstreet predict how the Union's operations would be conducted during the 1862 Peninsula campaign?
Confederate General James Longstreet was present at the meeting in Richmond where strategy was formed on the best way to counter the Union's attack on the Peninsula. Longstreet accurately predicted that because Union General George B. McClellan was an engineer at heart, he would not act rashly. Longstreet cautioned against making any rash moves against McClellan because the Union general was known to avoid heavy offensive operations. Therefore, prudent but effective defensive actions would slow down the battle cautious Union general.
How did Union artillery destroy the impact of the Confederate advance at Malvern Hill in 1862?
During the 1862 Peninsula campaign, the retreating Federals made the Rebel army pay dearly for its offensive operations that forced the Union troops eastward to Harrison's Landing. Under the command of Major General James Longstreet, Confederate artillery was used as an offensive weapon at the Battle of Malvern Hill. Longstreet believed that he had to reduce the power of Union artillery that was hampering his attempt to control the hill. He therefore tried to use his own artillery in an offensive manner, but was not successful. Longstreet's plan was to mass sixty cannons in support of his infantry's assault on the hill occupied by the enemy. The Confederate obstacle to this well planned assault was the rough terrain. This situation forced the Rebels to bring their guns into position at one or two batteries at a time. Unable to mass his artillery in proper position on a timely basis, allowed the entrenched Union guns numbering over 50 cannons, to concentrate their fire power against the Confederate isolated batteries. The result was the destruction of Longstreet's artillery, artillerymen and their horses. As Longstreet later wrote, the dead and dying horses piled up on top of the ammunition, his troops and their cannons.
What was the singificance of the Battle of Gettysburg?
Gettysburg destroyed Lee's ability to carry out an offensive in the North.
What two battles motivated the confedrates to attack at Gettysburg?
Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. Following these two decisive victories the Confederate Supremo Command in accordance with Lee's opinion and against the proposal of Longstreet, who instead suggested an offensive against the Union front in the Tennessee, decided that an offensive had to be launched in the Northern Virginia, to invade Pennsylvania. By so doing it was firmly believed that a great, decisive victory obtained there would not only have given a serious blow to the Union but also obtained the recognition of the Confederacy by the foreign powers, mainly France and Great Britain.
How did the US Civil War Battle of Gettysburg begin?
In the early morning hours of July 1, 1863, Confederate soldiers had entered the town of Gettysburg to buy boots. They were surprised by advancing Union troops. This unexpected and chance meeting of enemy troops saw Confederate General Robert E. Lee decide that he would open the battle in an offensive assault on the Army of the Potomac.
What was the last time the South could launch an offensive in the North?
The last significant offensive launched by the Confederacy into the North during the American Civil War was the Gettysburg Campaign in 1863, culminating in the Battle of Gettysburg from July 1 to July 3. Led by General Robert E. Lee, this campaign aimed to penetrate Northern territory and gain a decisive victory, but it ended in a significant defeat for the Confederate Army. Following Gettysburg, the South was largely on the defensive for the remainder of the war, unable to mount another major offensive into Northern territory.
