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On this day 1863, Robert E Lee shouted "Never fight uphill, me b'hoys!" ... So beautiful (Original Post) Bucky Apr 18 OP
Gettysburg AltairIV Apr 18 #1
When I visited the battlefields at Gettysburg Redleg Apr 18 #2
General Pickett was planning as if the enemy had muskets Bucky Apr 19 #6
Gen. Longstreet seemed to know what was going to happen Redleg Apr 19 #8
I believe he made that command... 2naSalit Apr 18 #3
Never remember. Bucky Apr 19 #7
So vicious and so interesting in so many ways.... I go there to watch... Blue Owl Apr 18 #4
It was the superior air power of the North that won the battle. Midnight Writer Apr 18 #5

Redleg

(5,863 posts)
2. When I visited the battlefields at Gettysburg
Thu Apr 18, 2024, 07:34 AM
Apr 18

I was surpised to find that Cemetary Ridge was much less steep than I had expected. It was more of a gentle slope, especially compared to the difficulty terrain at Little Round Top.

Having said that, even a relatively gentle slope provides significant advantages for the defender, the Union in this case. I wouldn't have wanted to advance toward the Union lines on a hot July day, having to cross several relatively open areas enroute while under fire from indirect fire at first and then the withering direct fire of dug-in federal troops.

Bucky

(54,094 posts)
6. General Pickett was planning as if the enemy had muskets
Fri Apr 19, 2024, 03:36 AM
Apr 19

It wasn't the uphill charge that was the deadliest factor so much as the long open field. He was fighting as if his troops were those little wooden blocks that you move around on a game board. To an extent, all of the generals still thought that way. They were still planning for 18th century pre-industrial warfare. 50 years later, European generals still hadn't learned that lesson

Redleg

(5,863 posts)
8. Gen. Longstreet seemed to know what was going to happen
Fri Apr 19, 2024, 04:29 PM
Apr 19

It's a good thing he was over-ruled by Lee.

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