Battle Of Gettysburg

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ss the Potomac and cut across the rear of the Union Army. This was a solid plan of defense, however Staurt’s march encountered frequent delays and detours as well as a very aggressive Union Calvary and was unable to rejoin General Lee until 2nd July.
Union Commanding General Hooker’s request for more men from Washington was rebuffed thus he resigned his commission on 27th June understanding that any confidence that Washington once had in his leadership was gone. On June 28th General Lee learned about Union General Hooker being replaced by Union General George Gordon Meade at which time he decided to move east and offer battle by concentrating his Army at Gettysburg.
Confederate General Lee knew that Gettysburg was not a strategically ideal place for such an important battle. But he was counting on victory because the Union army was spread out and he believed he could destroy the Union Army in detail thereby destroying the Northern will to fight after such a heavy loss on their own soil. To nullify the Union’s superiority in manpower, armaments, and supplies, General Lee always sought to seize the initiative by destroying the enemy’s prearranged plans. This defeat of the Union Army would mean disgrace to President Lincoln’s administration, which would make them more acceptable to peace negotiation. Confederate Victory here would open the road to Washington and eventually pave the road to victory of the war (www://80-www.search.eb.com.exproxy.usmc.edu 2)
Union General George G. Meade was known for his competence. Confederate General Robert E. Lee respected his ability as a leader saying,” General Meade will commit no blunder on my front and if I make one he will make haste to take advantage of it” (Axelrod 203). By 30 June both armies were headed to Gettysburg and to battle. The site of the battle of Gettysburg is known as the seat of the Lutheran Theological Seminary and Pennsylvania College. It was a genteel,...