- Jul 23, 2018
- 924
- 265
- 40
- Country
- United States
- Faith
- Non-Denom
- Marital Status
- Married
- Politics
- US-Constitution
Lee is regarded, perhaps, more than any other general, as the greatest general of the civil war. In almost ever poll he is either first or second. I don't deny he was a brilliant general and deserves his name and much of his reputation. However I believe his shortcoming are often not spoken of and he at times is given the credit of others.
Virginia my Home
“His mind and heart were attended only to the armies of northern Virginia. Inability to remove his attention from Virginia”
-E Merton Coulter The Confederate States of America
To Lee the most important thing that mattered in the confederacy was his home state of Virginia. This hurt the rest of the confederacy's cause and defense. Lee would not be a good commander of all a nations forces like Grant excelled at, as his focus was with Virginia. Davis wanted Lee to take command in Tennessee for the Chickamgua offensive when Virginia was not under threat. Lee rejected and even did not want to send any of his force away to reinforce Bragg for the needed offensive.
“Lee was a department commander..he constantly opposed any transfer of troops out of his command and contently agitated for their return”
-Steven E Woodworth Six Armies in Tennessee the Chickamagua and Chattanooga Campaigns University of Nebraska press 1998
Finally Davis was able to pry Longstreet and 2 divisions from Virginia to help with the offensive in Tennessee. However the delay caused by Lee's objections caused the Virginians to arrive late to the battle and almost cost the south the victory and may have allowed Rosecrans to escape. Now this downfall of Lee caring for his home state may seem less important as Virginia and Richmond were the most vital areas of the confederacy to defend, for sure this played a part in Lee's thinking. However had Lee been from North Carolina it may have taken him almost out of the war. So by chance it lessons the criticism of him. However Lee almost nullified a great advantage the south had. Interior lines and the ability to quickly maneuver troops from Virginia to Tennessee and back. Because Lee was always asking for more troops in Virginia and to weaken forces elsewhere, while not allowing his forces to leave and help elsewhere. This may have hurt the rest of the confederacy especially during the Atlanta campaign.
The Army of Northern Virginia
Lee had the best army the confederacy could muster under him. What made this army better than the other confederate armies is not simply Lee, but the army as a whole. Yes Lee was the south's best army commander but the army in Virginia got first dibs on weapons, supply, as well as generals. This made the army under him more productive than other confederate commanders had. No northern army would have the talent of commanders under their commander as Lee enjoyed. Thus credit should be spread around the army not just its commander. I also believe Lee was better on the defensive. The fact that he generally fought defensive battles makes him appear a better general than he was since it played into his strength. He could not win a major attacking battle after Jackson was gone. The confederates also had shown they could beat a larger army at Bull Run before Lee was in command.
Lee's Strategy
Lee's overall strategy of meeting the enemy strength head on in large battles looking for a decisive victory turned out to be a bad idea for the south. The manpower and material of the north was such that made this strategy unsuccessful. Had Lee adopted a strategy like Jackson of hitting the enemy where they are weak and outmaneuvering strategically, more so than tactically, it would have served the south better and conserved its manpower.
Lee in Western Virginia
“Outwitted, outmaneuvered and outgeneraled,"
-Richmond Examiner
Many think Lee's first action was as commander of the army of northern Virginia. However Lee's first action of the civil war ended in defeat in western Virginia at Cheat Mountain in September of 1861. Lee performed terribly, and after was sent to South Carolina to build fortifications. The Richmond press described the Lee's campaign as being timid, and building trenches instead of fighting. He was called “Granny Lee” King of spades” and the “Great entrencher.”
Lee Takes Command
“Lee upheld the defense of Richmond as an absolute priority...its integrity was the foundation of his strategic and tactical outlook. His hallmark audacity and daring offensive tactics were built upon the imperative that the enemy be kept away from Richmond”
-Thomas J Rowland George B McClellan and civil war History
Davis replaced Joe Johnston after being inured in the Peninsula campaign with his than military adviser Robert E Lee. Lee saved Richmond, but by direct frontal assaults against defensive terrain. Near the end of the 7 days campaign Lee ordered an attack on Mavern hill that was unneeded as the federals were already in retreat, Instead he took 5,600 losses in the attack. Lee also gave many vague orders during the campaign to subordinates that resulted in missed opportunities. Lee could have went along with Jackson's plan or reinforcing the valley to take the offensive, and move towards D.C and pull McClellan from the peninsula without direct frontal assaults, and accomplish the same thing that cost the south 20,000 men.
Second Bull Run
“Much of Lee's success was due to the skills of James Longstreet and Stonewall Jackson”
-David G Martin The Second Bull Run Campaign
Second Bull Run was a great victory but it was Jackson that deserves the most credit. Jackson got behind Pope, destroyed his rail and supply, prevented any reinforcements from D.C and drew Pope into attacking him. He than defended for two days from pope attacks and set up the battlefield perfect for Lee to win the fight. Lee even resisted not wanting to engage, but finally when conditions were to good to pass up, he attacked. His delayed attack allowed Popes army to escape at nightfall. All the heavy work was done by Jackson and tactically by Longstreet flanking attack, Lee almost negated it and prevented a decisive victory by not attacking sooner. Union general George Gordon said “It was fortunate that Jackson was not in command of the confederate forces” who would have attacked with Longstreet on day 1.
Antietam
Davis had wanted to appear to Europe as only defending and wished not to invade so as to gain their support. Without permission from Davis Lee decided to invade into Maryland despite that, as he admitted to Davis, his army was in no shape for an invasion. ¼ of the army deserted before the battle due to lack of supply, food and exhaustion. Than despite being outnumbered 87,000 to 47,000 Lee set up his army in front of a river that could have led to disaster had he lost the battle. After the heavy fighting it ended in a tactical draw. Lee's first invasion had been stopped and he returned to Virginia. With the loss Lee cost the south any chance of European reorganization and with it, perhaps the best chance the south had for independence.
Fredircksburg
At fredircksburg Burnside actually had the upper hand on Lee. He left his position and reached the opposite side of Fredricksburg without Lee noticing he was gone. However his pontoons were not up yet so he could not cross. Lee was known to anticipate his enemies moves, but admitted to Davis he was unsure of Burnsides intentions at this moment. Butlers buildup and the delay from the pontoons made his plan clear, Lee was than able to react with his army and fight from a very advantageous position.
Chancellorsville
“Hookers flanking movement had caught Lee off guard”
--David G Martin The Chancellorsville Campaign
“Fighting Joe...had stolen a march on him [Lee]...brilliantly executed and completely unknown to Lee- who had been fooled by a simple ruse of union signal corps””
-S.C Gwynne Rebel Yell The Violence, Passion and Redemption of Stonewall Jackson Simon and Schuster 2014
This time it was Hooker who got the step on Lee. Hooker “stole a march” and was able to maneuver 70,000 men across a river and got on Lee's flank without his knowledge. Hookers men and commanders were jubilant and predicted either a complete victory, or the inglorious and know dangerous retreat of Lee's army back to Richmond. The only other option as they saw it was for Lee to attack Hooker on the defensive that they believed would destroy Lee's army. Never had been the union army in a better position to destroy Lee than know. Lee was simply out of options.
“This is splendid... we are on Lees flank and he does does not know it”
-George Meade
“God almighty will not be able to prevent the destruction of the rebel army...The rebel army is now the legitimate property of the army of the Potomac”
-”Fighting Joe” Hooker commander of the Army of the Potomac
However Lee would be saved from defeat by one of his talented commanders Stonewall Jackson. Lee sent an outnumbered Jackson to meet the flanking force and defend. But Stonewall would alter the course of the battle by attacking the flanking army of Hooker putting the federals on the defensive. This enabled Jackson to than conduct his know famous flanking maneuver around Hooker and turn what could have been a disastrous defeat, into yet another victory for Lee.
“[Jackson] Transformed a desperate situation for the confederacy into an opportunity for a great victory”
-David G Martin The Chancellorsville Campaign
For Jackson's maneuver he took 26,000 men and left Lee with just 14,000 to face Hookers 75,000 in front of Lee. Clearly Lee was desperate and handed the battle over to Jackson and the fate of his army. Jackson yet again won Lee a victory.
“I congratulate you upon the victory. Which is due to your skill and energy”
-Robert E Lee Letter to Stonewall in the Hospital
“Could I have directed events, I should have chosen for the good of the country to be disabled in your stead”
-Robert E Lee letter to Jackson in hospital
Vicksburg/Gettysburg
Lee's best know failure was at Gettysburg. Instead of doing as Davis thought best, to send a force from Virginia to relive Vicksburg to save the 29,000 or so confederates trapped within, manpower the south could not lose. Lee's concern was of Virginia and its farmland and he convinced Davis of an invasion into the north. Lee's invasion was simply to get the enemy army in the open and destroy it where he could take advantage of a victory on northern soil that he could not have done in Virginia while giving Virginian farmers a rest while collecting supply in the north. So instead of capturing a major northern city or doing damage to the war capacity of the north, Lee's aim was the federal army only, its strength not its weakness. Had Lee followed Longstreet and Jackson's [before his death] plans of a strategic offensive invasion while a defensive tactical battle. By getting to a point such as a major city/ rail and forcing the enemy to attack on ground of the defenders. It would have most likely ended with a confederate victory. I believe at this point Lee and many others may very well have thought his army invincible and attacking could potentially bring about a major victory. Lee wanted to end the war.
Because of this Lee's first mistake was to actually march his men south to meet the enemy near Gettysburg somewhat tiring some of his troops for the battle. The confederates were well supplied and Lee had a large army at his command. The federal army of the Potomac morale was at its lowest point after Chancellorsville and suffered from low morale and desertion and they had yet another commander George Meade. As republican senator Charles Sumner said “Lost, lost, all is lost.” after Chancellorsville and his at it greatest.
“The moral of his troops had never been higher.”
--James McPherson Gettysburg Turner Publishing inc Atlanta 1993
Yet over three days of intense fighting Lee could not dislodge Meade. The lowest point for Lee came when he ordered the know famous Pickett's charge on day 3 over open ground, while every federal gun could have a clear shot. The battle was a disaster and Lee lost around 28,000 men to causalities. Combined with the loss of the Vicksburg garrison of near equal amount, Lee's decision to invade cost the south its ability to take the offensive in Virginia and greatly reduced national morale and its ability to resits further federal invasions in 64 before the elections.
Spread the Blame Around?
“All this has been my fault. It is I that have lost this fight”
-Robert E Lee
“Responsibility for the failure of the confederates to make an all out assault on cemetery hill on July 1 must rest with Lee.”
-Edward Coddinston The Gettysburg Campaign
Some say the battle was not Lee's fault and put the blame on a mix of Longstreet, Ewell or Stuart. Perhaps some of that might be justified. However ultimately the responsibility goes to the commander. What made a good civil war commander was not just making great plans for battle, it was how a commander could react to unseen circumstances and failures that came up. Ewell should have taken Culps Hill and Cemetery Hill on day 1 that was a victory for the south. However Lee told Ewell only to take the hills “if practicable” as he was use to with the aggressive Jackson who would than do the job. Plus Lee was ultimately in command and could have organized and ordered the attack himself. So blame should be placed on both and not Ewell alone. Also Lee was still handed Gettysburg on day 2 and Ewell did not force his actions from than on, Lee was in command and decided to attack a more murmurous defender on the high ground.
Lee encouraged generals to act on their own when they saw advantages and Stuart as well was given loose orders on raiding and was simply on one of his raids that Lee had encouraged before. Stuart was not “out for glory” and fulfilled his commands the best way he could given the circumstances. However two couriers Stuarts sent did not reach Lee. He left Lee multiple cavalry brigades and Lee did not use them as he should have as he came to trust Stuart only. Lee was given intelligence of the presence of union Calvary at Gettysburg with infantry likely behind and decided to move on anyways. Lee simply believed he could combine his force faster than he could to Gettysburg, for an offensive.
“event on July 1...under the exact circumstances Lee wanted...Lee's army prevailed...and in spectacular fashion”
-Ethan Raluse historian Gettysburg lee's Gamble American civil war magazine
The situation of Gettysburg was what Lee wanted all along. On June 27th Lee told general Trimble “He [Lee] could concentrate on any point in 24 hours or less” and Lee predicted he could “Throw an overwhelming force on their advance, crush it, follow up the success, drive one corps back and another, and by successive repulses and surprises before they can concentrate, create a panic and virtually destroy the army.” this is in fact what happened on day 1. Less plan had worked perfectly, he just underestimated Mead's ability to concentrate his force for day 2 and 3.
“The army of the Potomac was coming with more speed than Lee realized.”
--James McPherson Gettysburg Turner Publishing inc Atlanta 1993
Longstreet is blamed for his delayed attack on day 2. However slow acting commanders is something every army commander had to deal with. Ultimately the blame should be spread around to all with the majority resting on Lee the army commanders over confidence and aggression. To show this was true Lee offered his resignation on return to Virginia.
Virginia my Home
“His mind and heart were attended only to the armies of northern Virginia. Inability to remove his attention from Virginia”
-E Merton Coulter The Confederate States of America
To Lee the most important thing that mattered in the confederacy was his home state of Virginia. This hurt the rest of the confederacy's cause and defense. Lee would not be a good commander of all a nations forces like Grant excelled at, as his focus was with Virginia. Davis wanted Lee to take command in Tennessee for the Chickamgua offensive when Virginia was not under threat. Lee rejected and even did not want to send any of his force away to reinforce Bragg for the needed offensive.
“Lee was a department commander..he constantly opposed any transfer of troops out of his command and contently agitated for their return”
-Steven E Woodworth Six Armies in Tennessee the Chickamagua and Chattanooga Campaigns University of Nebraska press 1998
Finally Davis was able to pry Longstreet and 2 divisions from Virginia to help with the offensive in Tennessee. However the delay caused by Lee's objections caused the Virginians to arrive late to the battle and almost cost the south the victory and may have allowed Rosecrans to escape. Now this downfall of Lee caring for his home state may seem less important as Virginia and Richmond were the most vital areas of the confederacy to defend, for sure this played a part in Lee's thinking. However had Lee been from North Carolina it may have taken him almost out of the war. So by chance it lessons the criticism of him. However Lee almost nullified a great advantage the south had. Interior lines and the ability to quickly maneuver troops from Virginia to Tennessee and back. Because Lee was always asking for more troops in Virginia and to weaken forces elsewhere, while not allowing his forces to leave and help elsewhere. This may have hurt the rest of the confederacy especially during the Atlanta campaign.
The Army of Northern Virginia
Lee had the best army the confederacy could muster under him. What made this army better than the other confederate armies is not simply Lee, but the army as a whole. Yes Lee was the south's best army commander but the army in Virginia got first dibs on weapons, supply, as well as generals. This made the army under him more productive than other confederate commanders had. No northern army would have the talent of commanders under their commander as Lee enjoyed. Thus credit should be spread around the army not just its commander. I also believe Lee was better on the defensive. The fact that he generally fought defensive battles makes him appear a better general than he was since it played into his strength. He could not win a major attacking battle after Jackson was gone. The confederates also had shown they could beat a larger army at Bull Run before Lee was in command.
Lee's Strategy
Lee's overall strategy of meeting the enemy strength head on in large battles looking for a decisive victory turned out to be a bad idea for the south. The manpower and material of the north was such that made this strategy unsuccessful. Had Lee adopted a strategy like Jackson of hitting the enemy where they are weak and outmaneuvering strategically, more so than tactically, it would have served the south better and conserved its manpower.
Lee in Western Virginia
“Outwitted, outmaneuvered and outgeneraled,"
-Richmond Examiner
Many think Lee's first action was as commander of the army of northern Virginia. However Lee's first action of the civil war ended in defeat in western Virginia at Cheat Mountain in September of 1861. Lee performed terribly, and after was sent to South Carolina to build fortifications. The Richmond press described the Lee's campaign as being timid, and building trenches instead of fighting. He was called “Granny Lee” King of spades” and the “Great entrencher.”
Lee Takes Command
“Lee upheld the defense of Richmond as an absolute priority...its integrity was the foundation of his strategic and tactical outlook. His hallmark audacity and daring offensive tactics were built upon the imperative that the enemy be kept away from Richmond”
-Thomas J Rowland George B McClellan and civil war History
Davis replaced Joe Johnston after being inured in the Peninsula campaign with his than military adviser Robert E Lee. Lee saved Richmond, but by direct frontal assaults against defensive terrain. Near the end of the 7 days campaign Lee ordered an attack on Mavern hill that was unneeded as the federals were already in retreat, Instead he took 5,600 losses in the attack. Lee also gave many vague orders during the campaign to subordinates that resulted in missed opportunities. Lee could have went along with Jackson's plan or reinforcing the valley to take the offensive, and move towards D.C and pull McClellan from the peninsula without direct frontal assaults, and accomplish the same thing that cost the south 20,000 men.
Second Bull Run
“Much of Lee's success was due to the skills of James Longstreet and Stonewall Jackson”
-David G Martin The Second Bull Run Campaign
Second Bull Run was a great victory but it was Jackson that deserves the most credit. Jackson got behind Pope, destroyed his rail and supply, prevented any reinforcements from D.C and drew Pope into attacking him. He than defended for two days from pope attacks and set up the battlefield perfect for Lee to win the fight. Lee even resisted not wanting to engage, but finally when conditions were to good to pass up, he attacked. His delayed attack allowed Popes army to escape at nightfall. All the heavy work was done by Jackson and tactically by Longstreet flanking attack, Lee almost negated it and prevented a decisive victory by not attacking sooner. Union general George Gordon said “It was fortunate that Jackson was not in command of the confederate forces” who would have attacked with Longstreet on day 1.
Antietam
Davis had wanted to appear to Europe as only defending and wished not to invade so as to gain their support. Without permission from Davis Lee decided to invade into Maryland despite that, as he admitted to Davis, his army was in no shape for an invasion. ¼ of the army deserted before the battle due to lack of supply, food and exhaustion. Than despite being outnumbered 87,000 to 47,000 Lee set up his army in front of a river that could have led to disaster had he lost the battle. After the heavy fighting it ended in a tactical draw. Lee's first invasion had been stopped and he returned to Virginia. With the loss Lee cost the south any chance of European reorganization and with it, perhaps the best chance the south had for independence.
Fredircksburg
At fredircksburg Burnside actually had the upper hand on Lee. He left his position and reached the opposite side of Fredricksburg without Lee noticing he was gone. However his pontoons were not up yet so he could not cross. Lee was known to anticipate his enemies moves, but admitted to Davis he was unsure of Burnsides intentions at this moment. Butlers buildup and the delay from the pontoons made his plan clear, Lee was than able to react with his army and fight from a very advantageous position.
Chancellorsville
“Hookers flanking movement had caught Lee off guard”
--David G Martin The Chancellorsville Campaign
“Fighting Joe...had stolen a march on him [Lee]...brilliantly executed and completely unknown to Lee- who had been fooled by a simple ruse of union signal corps””
-S.C Gwynne Rebel Yell The Violence, Passion and Redemption of Stonewall Jackson Simon and Schuster 2014
This time it was Hooker who got the step on Lee. Hooker “stole a march” and was able to maneuver 70,000 men across a river and got on Lee's flank without his knowledge. Hookers men and commanders were jubilant and predicted either a complete victory, or the inglorious and know dangerous retreat of Lee's army back to Richmond. The only other option as they saw it was for Lee to attack Hooker on the defensive that they believed would destroy Lee's army. Never had been the union army in a better position to destroy Lee than know. Lee was simply out of options.
“This is splendid... we are on Lees flank and he does does not know it”
-George Meade
“God almighty will not be able to prevent the destruction of the rebel army...The rebel army is now the legitimate property of the army of the Potomac”
-”Fighting Joe” Hooker commander of the Army of the Potomac
However Lee would be saved from defeat by one of his talented commanders Stonewall Jackson. Lee sent an outnumbered Jackson to meet the flanking force and defend. But Stonewall would alter the course of the battle by attacking the flanking army of Hooker putting the federals on the defensive. This enabled Jackson to than conduct his know famous flanking maneuver around Hooker and turn what could have been a disastrous defeat, into yet another victory for Lee.
“[Jackson] Transformed a desperate situation for the confederacy into an opportunity for a great victory”
-David G Martin The Chancellorsville Campaign
For Jackson's maneuver he took 26,000 men and left Lee with just 14,000 to face Hookers 75,000 in front of Lee. Clearly Lee was desperate and handed the battle over to Jackson and the fate of his army. Jackson yet again won Lee a victory.
“I congratulate you upon the victory. Which is due to your skill and energy”
-Robert E Lee Letter to Stonewall in the Hospital
“Could I have directed events, I should have chosen for the good of the country to be disabled in your stead”
-Robert E Lee letter to Jackson in hospital
Vicksburg/Gettysburg
Lee's best know failure was at Gettysburg. Instead of doing as Davis thought best, to send a force from Virginia to relive Vicksburg to save the 29,000 or so confederates trapped within, manpower the south could not lose. Lee's concern was of Virginia and its farmland and he convinced Davis of an invasion into the north. Lee's invasion was simply to get the enemy army in the open and destroy it where he could take advantage of a victory on northern soil that he could not have done in Virginia while giving Virginian farmers a rest while collecting supply in the north. So instead of capturing a major northern city or doing damage to the war capacity of the north, Lee's aim was the federal army only, its strength not its weakness. Had Lee followed Longstreet and Jackson's [before his death] plans of a strategic offensive invasion while a defensive tactical battle. By getting to a point such as a major city/ rail and forcing the enemy to attack on ground of the defenders. It would have most likely ended with a confederate victory. I believe at this point Lee and many others may very well have thought his army invincible and attacking could potentially bring about a major victory. Lee wanted to end the war.
Because of this Lee's first mistake was to actually march his men south to meet the enemy near Gettysburg somewhat tiring some of his troops for the battle. The confederates were well supplied and Lee had a large army at his command. The federal army of the Potomac morale was at its lowest point after Chancellorsville and suffered from low morale and desertion and they had yet another commander George Meade. As republican senator Charles Sumner said “Lost, lost, all is lost.” after Chancellorsville and his at it greatest.
“The moral of his troops had never been higher.”
--James McPherson Gettysburg Turner Publishing inc Atlanta 1993
Yet over three days of intense fighting Lee could not dislodge Meade. The lowest point for Lee came when he ordered the know famous Pickett's charge on day 3 over open ground, while every federal gun could have a clear shot. The battle was a disaster and Lee lost around 28,000 men to causalities. Combined with the loss of the Vicksburg garrison of near equal amount, Lee's decision to invade cost the south its ability to take the offensive in Virginia and greatly reduced national morale and its ability to resits further federal invasions in 64 before the elections.
Spread the Blame Around?
“All this has been my fault. It is I that have lost this fight”
-Robert E Lee
“Responsibility for the failure of the confederates to make an all out assault on cemetery hill on July 1 must rest with Lee.”
-Edward Coddinston The Gettysburg Campaign
Some say the battle was not Lee's fault and put the blame on a mix of Longstreet, Ewell or Stuart. Perhaps some of that might be justified. However ultimately the responsibility goes to the commander. What made a good civil war commander was not just making great plans for battle, it was how a commander could react to unseen circumstances and failures that came up. Ewell should have taken Culps Hill and Cemetery Hill on day 1 that was a victory for the south. However Lee told Ewell only to take the hills “if practicable” as he was use to with the aggressive Jackson who would than do the job. Plus Lee was ultimately in command and could have organized and ordered the attack himself. So blame should be placed on both and not Ewell alone. Also Lee was still handed Gettysburg on day 2 and Ewell did not force his actions from than on, Lee was in command and decided to attack a more murmurous defender on the high ground.
Lee encouraged generals to act on their own when they saw advantages and Stuart as well was given loose orders on raiding and was simply on one of his raids that Lee had encouraged before. Stuart was not “out for glory” and fulfilled his commands the best way he could given the circumstances. However two couriers Stuarts sent did not reach Lee. He left Lee multiple cavalry brigades and Lee did not use them as he should have as he came to trust Stuart only. Lee was given intelligence of the presence of union Calvary at Gettysburg with infantry likely behind and decided to move on anyways. Lee simply believed he could combine his force faster than he could to Gettysburg, for an offensive.
“event on July 1...under the exact circumstances Lee wanted...Lee's army prevailed...and in spectacular fashion”
-Ethan Raluse historian Gettysburg lee's Gamble American civil war magazine
The situation of Gettysburg was what Lee wanted all along. On June 27th Lee told general Trimble “He [Lee] could concentrate on any point in 24 hours or less” and Lee predicted he could “Throw an overwhelming force on their advance, crush it, follow up the success, drive one corps back and another, and by successive repulses and surprises before they can concentrate, create a panic and virtually destroy the army.” this is in fact what happened on day 1. Less plan had worked perfectly, he just underestimated Mead's ability to concentrate his force for day 2 and 3.
“The army of the Potomac was coming with more speed than Lee realized.”
--James McPherson Gettysburg Turner Publishing inc Atlanta 1993
Longstreet is blamed for his delayed attack on day 2. However slow acting commanders is something every army commander had to deal with. Ultimately the blame should be spread around to all with the majority resting on Lee the army commanders over confidence and aggression. To show this was true Lee offered his resignation on return to Virginia.
