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Re: Did Davis lose Gettysburg?
In Response To: Re: Did Davis lose Gettysburg? ()

"Longstreet's failure to push the Union left upon it's right could explain why Ewell had a problem finding that opening."

Flesh and Blood can only do so much. The purpose of Ewell's "demonstrations" was supposed to be to keep the Union left from being reenforced from the Union center and right. Longstreet Corp fought against not only Sickles 3rd Corp, but also most of Warrens 5th Corp, and parts of the 6th, and 2nd Corps.

Anyway the original thought of this post was "Did Davis lose the Battle of Gettysburg?" At least in this discussion there has been two times explored when Davis decisions may have in fact influenced the outcome of that Battle.

1). Davis insistence that Lee leave Jenkin's Brigade, of Hood's Division, behind to protect Richmond.
1a). When in fact he had Beauregards command at his disposal for that purpose if needs be.
1b). What good would Jenkins single Brigade of 5 regiments do if Richmond were seriously attacked while Lee was in Pennsylvania anyway? Were as Jenkins Brigade may have been the final support that was needed to influence the outcome of Longstreet's attack.

And

2). Davis' refusal to at least reposition Beauregards command into a threatening posture against Washington to at least cause some uncertainty in the Union high command as to what Beauregards and Lee's intentions were.
2a). Even at that the "lost dispatch" MAY have still influenced Meade and possibly Halleck to exercise caution in following Lee after the battle.

Now certainly Davis was NOT the SOLE reason for Lee's defeat at Gettysburg. There were many factors which combined to work against Lee. Not the least of which was Lee being on the offensive against a numerically superior enemy, rather than the more advantagious position of being on the defense. But Davis' decisions was at least, in my opinion, A factor, which if they had been the opposite position may have contributed to Lee winning that Battle.

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Did Davis lose Gettysburg?
Re: Did Davis lose Gettysburg?
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Re: Did Davis lose Gettysburg?
Re: Did Davis lose Gettysburg?
Re: Did Davis lose Gettysburg?
Re: Did Davis lose Gettysburg?
Re: Did Davis lose Gettysburg?