What was the disagreement about the overall strategy between Lee and Longstreet at the battle of Gettysburg?

Answer 1

The disagreement began over which location to use in order to pursue the Union troops. They, then, disagreed over whether to use an offensive or defensive strategy. Lee wanted to offensively attack Cemetery Ridge, while Longstreet wanted to defensively flank the Union Army and force an attack.

Answer 2

Longstreet wanted to fight a defensive battle, to let the federals attack them, but Lee saw otherwise, saying that his army had never let the federals take the field, and he decided to attack. Some say if Ewell had taken Little Round Top, the Yankees would have had to attack him, and destroyed themselves piecemeal.

There were 2 main disagreements. July 2 Longstreet wanted to outflank the Union left but Lee had him directly assault it. July 3 Longstreet wanted to pull back and dig into South Mtn. to force the Yankees to attack from a great disadvantage. Lee said, once again, direct attack.

Answer 3

Lee wanted to attack and win a "Napoleonic victory." Longstreet knew they had no chance attacking an intrenched enemy and wanted to fight a defensive battle (and war). History shows Longstreet as a better strategist.

Answer 4

Lee was trying to invade the prosperous state of Pennsylvania, largely to plunder the farms and factories, notably a boot-and-shoe factory at Gettysburg, since many of his men were barefoot and half-starved.

Longstreet didn't see the point of it. They didn't have the manpower to occupy much territory, and meanwhile there urgent rescue-work to be done in the West, saving the Vicksburg garrison and preventing Union troops from liberating the Mississippi.

When it came to the battle, Longstreet was feeling half-hearted, and failed to carry out his orders as promptly as he should have done. Some claim that the delay cost them the battle - and the war.

Lee himself was not on good form during the three-day operation, suffering the beginning of his slow decline in health, possibly psychosomatic, following the death of his essential team-partner Stonewall Jackson.