Alan, your "opinion" is as good as gospel in my book. Just remember the major restructuring of the ANV after Jackson's death from his Chancellorsville wounds. Promotions in command and major shuffling of brigades and the formation of a third corps and the total restructuring of the artillery. Even "Parson Pendleton" was a little bewildered at the formation of the artillery battalions to their respective corps and the reserves. And then throw the entire mix into a march into enemy territory on an OFFENSIVE campaign. There had to be a lot of confusion. A.P. Hill's health issues left him virtually out of the fight. He pretty much turned over the Third Corps to Longstreet. And by that time "the shiney" had worn off of Ewell. He being a commander that relied on the agreement and approval from his subordinates as well as his fellow commanders of equal rank. If you read Bowden and Ward's book you will see that they have a list of the '17 reasons" that Lee lost at Gettysburg. I of course won't rehash all 17 but the last three were key. Hood's wounding on the second day, Ewell's ineffectiveness on the first day by not pressing the Federal's on Cemetery Hill, and Dorsey Pender's fatal wound during the second day's en echelon attack. The last being the most important. It was an interesting chess game where stray bullets and artillery rounds won out over strategy. I always enjoy your well written and researched posts. This has been a very pleasurable exchange. Thanks Alan.

Keith