A Critical Look at Robert E Lee

[Gregoshi]

I hear you with regards to evaluating generals based on campaigns. I've been taking an opposite approach. I was feeling like too much was glossed over in most of the books on various campaigns. So, since Gettysburg is very near by and a pivotal battle, I've adopted it for more detailed study. The general story of Days 1-3 is well known, but I've been drilling down to deeper reading: Pfanz's books on Day 1, Day 2 and Culps Hill/Cemetery Hill, a book on just the Wheatfield, the pre-battle burning of the Columbia-Wrightsville bridge, Coddington's "The Gettysburg Campaign: A Study in Command" as well as biographies/autobiographies on principal figures in the battle: Meade, Reynolds, Buford, Chamberlain, Longstreet and Porter Alexander* so far. A book on Lee, in particular the Gettysburg campaign, would be helpful, I think. The idea being that understanding all the various aspects of the campaign and battle will allow me to have a better informed opinion on the battle. Where all this has broken down is with my memory of what I've read and noting any conflicting information between all the sources. I should have been taking notes and putting something together like you did above. I might just have to start over and do that...and that thought isn't the least bit disappointing. Thanks for the idea and the inspiration to do just that.

* If you haven't read Porter Alexander's "Fighting for the Confederacy", I highly recommend it. This is my favorite Civil War book I've read to date. His experiences, commentary and analysis of all the battles he fought in is very entertaining and very enlightening. His analysis of the failing of the Confederate artillery at Gettysburg was fascinating.

[total relism]

I hear you with regards to evaluating generals based on campaigns. I've been taking an opposite approach. I was feeling like too much was glossed over in most of the books on various campaigns. So, since Gettysburg is very near by and a pivotal battle, I've adopted it for more detailed study. The general story of Days 1-3 is well known, but I've been drilling down to deeper reading: Pfanz's books on Day 1, Day 2 and Culps Hill/Cemetery Hill, a book on just the Wheatfield, the pre-battle burning of the Columbia-Wrightsville bridge, Coddington's "The Gettysburg Campaign: A Study in Command" as well as biographies/autobiographies on principal figures in the battle: Meade, Reynolds, Buford, Chamberlain, Longstreet and Porter Alexander* so far. A book on Lee, in particular the Gettysburg campaign, would be helpful, I think. The idea being that understanding all the various aspects of the campaign and battle will allow me to have a better informed opinion on the battle. Where all this has broken down is with my memory of what I've read and noting any conflicting information between all the sources. I should have been taking notes and putting something together like you did above. I might just have to start over and do that...and that thought isn't the least bit disappointing. Thanks for the idea and the inspiration to do just that.

* If you haven't read Porter Alexander's "Fighting for the Confederacy", I highly recommend it. This is my favorite Civil War book I've read to date. His experiences, commentary and analysis of all the battles he fought in is very entertaining and very enlightening. His analysis of the failing of the Confederate artillery at Gettysburg was fascinating.

lol that is great stuff. Maybe if you do such a thing and take notes, you would be kind enough to post them hear with your findings for us. I like the in depth approach you are tacking as well it is the best method, sounds like much work. I took the lazy more general approach. I have heard much of Alexanders book and it has been quoted in my sources but have not got around to reading it.

I am glad you liked my post. My next book is a bio on Stonewall. My second book on him alone as I like Stonewall.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

My next book is a bio on Stonewall. My second book on him alone as I like Stonewall.

What in interesting character TJ was too. Something of a 'stable fanatic' from what I can tell. A rare thing, and powerful. Reminds me of some of the old Roman early Republic types. Stick to your principles for the win.

[Gregoshi]

Reading a bio on Stonewall is in my future too. I only have high level knowledge of him and my opinion of him is mixed based on his performance: lackluster at Peninsula Campaign and Antietam(?) vs brilliant at Shenandoah Valley and Chancellorsville. So learning a bit more about him might change my stance on him as a general. Bios on Ewell and Sickles are also on my radar since both of these generals had rather controversial roles at Gettysburg. But I think after your above piece on Lee, he moves to the top of the reading list. Now I just have to find a good book on him.