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Longstreet said he opposed the assault because he foresaw failure.

No one can get inside Longstreet's head, but Longstreet survived the war and later insisted that he had opposed Lee's attack on the Federal center at Gettysburg on the principle that such an attack was doomed from the start. The Confederates had to advance for almost a mile across open country in the face of massed artillery, which despite one of the fiercest cannonadings up until that time was still in place and delivered a murderous fire on the mostly unprotected marching Confederates. They suffered over 50% casualties. Lee left no memoirs so we don't know what he thought, but it's unlikely that Lee would have ordered an advance that he knew would fail. Most of the field commanders were killed in the assault so they left no action reports, except Pickett himself, who was so bitter he never spoke to Lee again. ("That man destroyed my division.")

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Q: Why was Confederate General Longstreet against Pickett's charge?
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Confederate General who advised Lee against the initial attack at Gettysburg?

James Longstreet


Who did former Confederate Lieutenant General James Longstreet meet with in Washington DC when the US Civil War was over?

When the US Civil War ended, former Confederate Lieutenant General James Longstreet traveled to Washington DC with regards to the written application for a pardon from the US government based on his high level of military operations he conducted against the Union during the war. Longstreet met with General US Grant, Secretary of War Stanton and President Andrew Johnson. Johnson refused to grant Longstreet a pardon.


Who led the failed charge by the Confederates against the union center at Gettysburg?

One division was comanded by Major General George Pickett and is known as Pickett's Charge although he was ordered to stay in back by Gen.Robert E Lee. The fault of this charge does not fall upon Picketts shoulders nor are the other two division commanders (Pettigrew and Trimble) to be faulted. Lieutenant General James Longstreet obeyed General Robert E. Lee who planned and ordered the charge.Pickett,


What was the failed attack on the union lines that took place at Gettysburg called?

This attack will be forever known as "Pickett's Charge". It was the Confederate attack on the Union center on Cemetery Ridge. The South would of won this battle but Robert E. Lee did not listen to General Longstreet. If he did the South would maybe win the War. Longstreet saw a gap and wanted to get forces there towards Washington.


Which Confederate general fought under Robert E. Lee at Gettysburg?

James Longstreet. His lack of enthusiasm for the campaign, and theconsequent operational delays, were blamed for thedefeat at Gettysburg - and by extension, the eventual loss of the war. After the war, he earned further opprobrium by agreeing towork with the Republican government under Grant, and was regarded as the enemy of the Lost Cause mythology. Lee himself retained great loyalty for his 'old war-horse'. and wouldn't hear a word against him. But Lee was a dying man, while Longstreet lived on to an unhappy old age, vilified all over the South.

Related questions

Confederate General who advised Lee against the initial attack at Gettysburg?

James Longstreet


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.


Was Confederate General Longstreet in favor of Lee's plan to raid Pennsylvania in 1863?

General James Longstreet and General Lee conducted long talks on Lee's plan to raid Pennsylvania in 1863. Longstreet was opposed to the plan and presented one of his own. Longstreet believed that Confederate troops in the east and combined with forces from Johnston and Bragg should conduct an operation against Union forces in Tennessee and push onwards into Kentucky. Longstreet believed that to prepare and mount a large raid into Pennsylvania would take too long and be too risky.


Who did former Confederate Lieutenant General James Longstreet meet with in Washington DC when the US Civil War was over?

When the US Civil War ended, former Confederate Lieutenant General James Longstreet traveled to Washington DC with regards to the written application for a pardon from the US government based on his high level of military operations he conducted against the Union during the war. Longstreet met with General US Grant, Secretary of War Stanton and President Andrew Johnson. Johnson refused to grant Longstreet a pardon.


Why did former Confederate Lieutenant General James Longstreet travel to Washington DC after the US Civil War was overS?

After the US Civil War had ended, former Confederate Lieutenant General James Longstreet traveled to Washington DC to follow up on the written application for a pardon from the US government. Due to the significant war operations Longstreet made as a high ranking Confederate general, he was required to file an appeal for an official pardon. His actions against the US government were a serious breach of loyalty he once had as a West Point graduate (USMA ) and the oath he had taken when he was a Federal officer.


What Confederate general proposed the Abingdon Plan?

Confederate General James Longstreet called for a military operation against the North in 1863 called the Abingdon Plan. He believed that he could invade Kentucky and control the railway between Louisville and Nashville. He believed the North's position in Tennessee was weak enough for General Johnston to make an assault there and the Union would be distracted by his ( Longstreet's) army. He believed the Union would have to retreat from Tennessee. He depended on cavalry units stationed in West Virginia to help cut the supply lines to Chattanooga. The Confederate Secretary of War, Seddon, endorsed the idea. Retaking Tennessee and threatening Louisville, Ohio, combined with activity by Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, would place the North in a terrible position.After a thorough analysis by Jefferson Davis and the top brass of the South, it was determined that the plan was too risky and abandoned it, to Longstreet's disappointment.


Who led the failed charge by the Confederates against the union center at Gettysburg?

One division was comanded by Major General George Pickett and is known as Pickett's Charge although he was ordered to stay in back by Gen.Robert E Lee. The fault of this charge does not fall upon Picketts shoulders nor are the other two division commanders (Pettigrew and Trimble) to be faulted. Lieutenant General James Longstreet obeyed General Robert E. Lee who planned and ordered the charge.Pickett,


How did the armies under the control of Union General US Grant drive Confederate forces out of Tennessee?

In late November of 1863, Union General US Grant was ordered to drive Confederate forces out of Tennessee. On November 23, 1863, Grant launched an assault with his 70,000 troops against Confederate General Braxton Bragg with 40,000 troops. Grant ordered General Thomas to attack the center of Bragg's lines while General Joe Hooker was attack the right side of Bragg's forces.The only Union problem came with the failure of Sherman's army to move Bragg's forces on the left side. A single division under Confederate Major General Patrick R. Cleburne held Sherman's troops at bay.Grant was concerned now that because of Sherman's failure to move Cleburne, Sherman was ripe for a counter attack. To distract the Rebels, Grant ordered more forces against the center of Bragg's army and Thomas took control of Missionary Ridge.This saved an attack on Sherman and Bragg had to retreat. By November 27, 1863, Bragg made his way to Dalton, Georgia.President Davis had hoped that General Longstreet could aid Bragg but it was impossible to do so. General Longstreet was forced to take Winter quarters in Morristown, Tennessee.The attempt to remove all Southern forces out of the state was successful except for having Longstreet remain in Morristown.


What Confederate general damaged the South's chances for a victory at the Battle of Seven Pines in 1862?

General Joseph Johnston had carefully planned his offensive against Union troops at Seven Pines. This was an opportunity win a major battle. Despite all measures to properly execute the plan of attack, there was confusion. Most historians blame General James Longstreet. On the morning of the attack, Longstreet's army of 14,000 troops were found to be marching west towards Richmond, instead of marching east towards the Union lines. This confusion and miscommunication cost General Johnston a decisive victory, in the view of many historians.


What year did Union General Daniel Tyler graduate from West Point?

Union General Daniel Tyler graduated from West Point in 1819. Among a graduating class of 29 cadets, Tyler ranked 14th. General Tyler led the 1st Division under General McDowell at the First Battle of Bull Run. His force was the first one that went into combat against Confederate General Longstreet.


When did Confederate General Braxton Bragg begin his offensive against Union forces in Tennessee?

Confederate General Braxton Bragg had been carrying on operations in the Western theater. In 1862, he and General Kirby Smith were preparing to join forces for battles in Tennessee. In the last days of August, 1862, Bragg begins his offensive against Union General Buell in Tennessee.


When did Union General William Rosencrans begin his offensive against General Braxton Bragg and his forces in Tennessee?

General Rosencrans was successful in preparing his Army of the Cumberland in 1863. He then began his offensive against Confederate General Braxton Bragg in June of 1863.