Does anyone know why Robert E. Lee fought in the battle of Gettysburg and how he felt toward the battle?

Question

Can someone please describe Robert E Lee's feelings and attitude toward the battle of Gettysburg, War in general, the civil war in particular and why he is personally fighting the war?

Answer 1

His loyalty rested with his state and not with the Union; he was the traditional kind of reserved kindly old gentleman and
commanded respect by his soldiers,but one of limited ability due to the fact that he had never held a high command;he was cut out as a staff officer possibly or even a deputy but not a
Commander in Chief; the decision to invade the north was the right one on principal,but long overdue(had he done it few months earlier,he would have J.Hooker or Burnside to deal with) and the advance into the north was a prime example of military incompetence;advancing into enemy territory with his units so widely separated with no cavalry for eyes and ears(only Stuart lost somewhere in his own cavalry world of the past...)?it is, mildly put a folly;it would inevitably result in a peace meal involvement which he had no hope to win and didn,t even have the will and the control over his subordinates to disengage on time and turn towards Washington thus forcing Meade,who was new to command to follow him,none could have thought that Lee would fight an enemy with superior numbers and equipment holding the high ground.No matter what urgency drove him,as a C.I.C. should safeguard
the southern army and fight a battle on a ground of his choice.
Compare his movement north with that of Napoleon 48 years earlier invading Belgium and marching towards Blucher and Wellington, when his entire line cavalry was screening the movement of his army(not Stuart with 1/4 of that cavalry,who should have been close to Lee,s left flank to avoid entanglements like Baufford's brigates)
Proper gentlemen like Lee usually lose wars(!)as for his feelings well in absence of a crystall ball I would say that in view of the seven days battles(peninsular operations)-there probablly necessary-and Antietam(unecessary) his disregard of his men's lifes shows his feelings about the destruction of
an entire division sent to march against superior enemy,fully entrenched and with superior fire power,because he was unable to think of anything more constructive:tosay the least it was wanton butchery and it wouldn't take a genious to have thought of that beforehand.

Answer 2

As far as Gettysburg goes, he had ordered his divisions to consolidate near Cashtown or Gettysburg and NOT to engage the enemy until all the forces were in the field. Unfortunately, Heth's Division collided with Union Cavalry and both sides brought up their forces piecemeal. The Union was lucky enough to be on high ground, but neither commander had planned to fight at Gettysburg (Meade was looking at a defensive line further south).

Lee followed his state's flag into war. He stated it was 'his fault' as Pickett's and Pettigrews men retreated from the blunder after the assault on Cemetery ridge....and indeed, it was his greatest blunder.

Answer 3

accomplice States of united states of america. popular Lee became into the final in charge of each and every of the accomplice Forces dealing with popular Meade who commanded the Union Forces at Gettysburg on July 1st, 2d, and third in 1863.

Answer 4

Yes let me channel General Lee through my magic crystal ball and see what he was thinking and feeling.

Answer 5

some say he regretted the battle, claiming the defeat was his fault and his fault alone. he wanted to be farther north for that type of battle. it just happened to be there.