GDG- Re: Gettysburg Digest, Vol 27, Issue 1

[David W. Gaddy]

>Subject: GDG- The ANV during the retreat (Tom Ryan)
>Message: 4
>
>         In my recent quest to turn around some minds on whether it was 
> advisable
>for Meade to attack Lee's fortified position at Williamsport, I would like
>to add to the mix the following from Douglas Southall Freeman's "Lee's
>Lieutnants":
>
>         "On the afternoon of the 4th of July, when the wagon train [of 
> wounded] was
>started for the Potomac, about 5000 unwounded men slipped away from their
>posts and went with the vehicles.  Many of these men were captured by the
>enemy, many were returned to their commands, others were listed A.W.O.L."
>
>         In addition to the considerable numerical advantage that Meade 
> had over Lee
>at Williamsport, he had a psychological advantage as well.  This is seen in
>Freeman's information plus a report of stragglers in the woods at
>Williamsport pointing to demoralization setting in on the Confederate side.
>This advantage is reinforced by reports that the Union rank and file were
>ready and willing to attack Lee again in order to bring an end to the war
>then and there.
>
>         One other thing to add to the psychological issue is the fact that
>following Gettysburg there was an upswing in desertions in the Rebel army
>that only got worse as time went on.  In other words, from my perspective,
>Meade had most of the advantages and, if he and his commanders could have
>mustered the will, likely would have come away with a victory at
>Williamsport.
>
>         I welcome your thoughts on the pros and cons of this argument.
Tom,
This (from Chapter XII) is another one of Freeman's tantalizing statements 
w/o citation as to source or basis. The number is remarkably close to that 
he uses on p. 190 (Chap. X) as the total missing (5150)--which, in itself, 
is part of an odd tally, assessing losses in terms of killed, wounded, 
missing, but no statement on captured. I failed to find substantiation for 
the statement in LL in Kent Masterson Brown.

I also wonder about the Williamsport defenses, hastily but (to me) 
impressively erected under the guidance of the ANV engineers. You have 
doubtless studied the OR Atlas map, XLII (5), which reflects Meade's 
appreciation. (Brown,  Map 12.4 on p. 317 fills those field fortifications 
with deployed troops.) I wonder if you are not underestimating what Meade 
was facing (or thought he was facing).

Dave Gaddy