John,
You make some very valid points and maybe there was an opportunity for a Confederate victory. I might dispute that the Union troops needed another nudge to turn tail. My assessment from reading various accounts of the Federals who participated is that they were not going to give ground. Sure they were hard to move forward in the face of the breakthrough at the angle, but I get the sense that they were determined to remain where they stood and fight it out on their native soil until overwhelmed. Soldiers always fight better on their own turf. There was little evidence of panic. The 69th Pennsylvania at the angle, which had every reason to give way after being flanked, begrudgingly contested every yard on their right. The entire Federal line seems to have sensed victory within their grasp, and they had just withstood that tremendous artillery bombardment with minor loss. Of course, if any panic had taken root then it could have infected the whole mass. The difference between a great victory and great defeat often hinges upon a small issue. We will never know what might have been, but it is still fun to speculate. Sincerely, Tom