Re;Lee's decision to order Pickett's Charge.?

Question

In reading about The Mexican War, Lee was all too aware of the cost of a frontal assault. What exactly are the reasons why he thought it would work? And is it possible it may have worked if the pre-assault bombardment didn't overshoot?(And did it overshoot?) One gentleman has told me recently,that it is now thought Lee may have had a minor heart attack before heading up North...any possibilities? Thankyou.

Answer 1

There were several reasons why the greatest tactician of the war blundered at Gettysburg, namely:

1. he felt his boys were invincible

2. the attacks on the left and right the previous two days should have left the center weakened.

3. the preliminary artillery bombardment was the largest of the war up till that time, they were supposed to silence the union guns....unfortunately most overshot their target and wrought havoc among the supply units in the Union rear.

4. Supporting units of confederate artillery were supposed to advance with the rebel lines to support their attack, instead, the unit retreated due to misinformation.

5. Artillery caissons were sent to the rear trying to avoid Union fire, which only lessened the rebel cannonade.

6. The Union artillery fell silent wanting to conserve their ammunition for the main attack, instead it misled the rebels into thinking that the Union guns were silenced by the cannon fire.

7. Ewell was supposed to coordinate his attack on the Union right flank, instead he attacked to early and was driven back. The plan was for him to attack at the same time as the Pickett-Pettgrew assault. Since the Union line was a 'fish hook' shape, they could easily shift reinforcements to the center where they were needed.

So it may look like a blunder some 144 years later, but at the time, there may have been more of a chance to succeed then it appears to us now.

Answer 2

Your friend is on target - - - though I am uncertain about a heart attack, Robert E Lee was tired and not thinking straight, he thought a frontal assault would break the will of The Union soldiers and Lee put to much trust in his artillery which was grossly ineffective throughout the battle (though try telling that to the Union Captain who had his head knocked off by a cannon ball). But Lee's fatigue was a huge factor. What many people do not realize that wars can be fought & won far away from the battlefield. Lee was hampered by not having a good staff; subordinates to tend to messy details - - - to let the commander concenrate on the big details. Both armies were hampered by this but in the end it was far more deadly for the Confederates. (as much criticism as Grant deserved, he did have a great staff of smart Colonels and Majors).

Note; the movie Gettysberg though highly praised reduced Picket's charge to a stately processional.

Peace........