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happy birthday Robert E. Lee
tomahawk
Member Posts: 11,826
Rest in Peace
Comments
Yup I got another phone call from the school.
I am amazed at some of the things he was able to accomplish, and the character with which he lived.
A brilliant tactician and quite possibly the greatest military leader that this nation has ever produced.
Even so on a hot July day he made a huge tactical mistake against the better wishes of another general. That probably lost both the war and the cause.
Here in VA, it is Lee-Jackson-King Day.
Thanks for the day off fellas [;)]
Celebrate the holiday of your choice, I guess.
Too old to live...too young to die...
A brilliant tactician and quite possibly the greatest military leader that this nation has ever produced.
Two words:
Picket's Charge.
Lee did more with little than one had the right to expect, and was perhaps the greatest defensive general we have had. His offensive skills were not at the same high level, IMO.
Brad Steele
quote:Originally posted by mark christian
A brilliant tactician and quite possibly the greatest military leader that this nation has ever produced.
Two words:
Picket's Charge.
Lee did more with little than one had the right to expect, and was perhaps the greatest defensive general we have had. His offensive skills were not at the same high level, IMO.
That is why I strongly believe had Thomas Jackson been present at that battle things would have gone very differently. Jackson was an extremley bold (almost reckless) tactican that was able to divide, attack, divide, and even attack again with forces that often had odds against him and then would still when a field victory. I honestly feel that because of the deadly combination the two formed, and the balance they gave each other, that is the one of the reasons that the South seemed to have had such success during the first two years of the war. Much can be said if one draws a time graph of important strategic victories and losses before and after the death of Jackson.
Dont get me wrong, Im not saying Jackson was the end all be all of the confederacy generals, he also had his flaws, but with the combination of Lee and Jackson commanding...any army of that day would have reason to fear them.
Marse Robert was born on January 19th. So birthday wishes, although always nice, are just a tad early. But he was a great man.
His birthday has always been celebrated on the third Monday of January in VA...known as Lee-Jackson Day in the Commonwealth....
Lee's original plan involving Gen. Picket was brilliant. He sent Jeb Stuart with the entire Cavalry to make a feint upon Harrisburg, Pa. to draw off troops from Meade and then swing around the rear of the Union troops and attack them at the same time that Picket would charge their front in the center. The intent was to split the union forces in two. Unfortunately, Stuart messed up and arrived at the rear late. Picket was advised not to do the charge until he got word that Stuart was about to attack, but he was one of those by the book-by the clock guys and attacked the center of the Union lines. Of course, since the Yankees were not being threatened in the rear, so Picket bore the full brunt of the Union Army.
When Stuart finally did arrive, he was met by Custer who had only 4000 cavalry militia to go against Stuarts 60,000+ force. However, Custers men were equiped with Henry repeating rifles, and within the first 1/2 hour Stuart lost more than 1/3 of his men and had to retreat.
Still, despite Stuart's screw-up, Picket took the blame for the loss of the battle.
2. Ewell failed to capture Culp's Hill on the first day of battle at Gettysburg. He faced a Union brigade less than half his strength, but Ewell had no iniative. Had Ewell taken Culp's Hill, the entire Union Army would have had to retreat toward Washington.
3. Longstreet tried to get Lee to swing around the Army of the Potomoc in order to get between Meade and Washington. This would have given the Confederates the high ground around the South Mountain area and would have made Meade attack a very well entrenched Army of Northern Virginia.
4. Lee missed SEVERAL opportunities to win at Gettysburg, while Meade took advantage of Lee's mistakes.