GDG- war councils

[Tom Ryan]

<<Sedgwick did tell the committee that Meade was apprehensive about his
flanks, and that essentially is what Hancock said to Kelly with a little
extra embellishment about "Gettysburg is no place to fight a battle in."

Since the statements both men made to the JCCCW were contemporaneous while
those made to Kelly came much later, it may well be that the former would be
seen as trumping the latter.>>

<<It could also be that expressions of concern over the position being
vulnerable to flanking movements did not necessarily equate to a desire to
retreat.>>

Jim,

	That is the way I read it also.  Other generals besides Meade had expressed
concern about the Cemetery Hill/Cemetery Ridge position being vulnerable to
turning the flank, including Hancock in his report to Meade on July 1 after
Meade sent him to Gettysburg to take command and evaluate whether it was a
good place to make a stand. Hancock's assessment to Meade was "We have now
taken up a position in the cemetery, which cannot well be taken; it is a
position, however, easily turned."  Hancock went on to say "I think we can
retire; if not, we can fight here, as the ground appears not unfavorable
with good troops."

	So Hancock provided options to Meade.  Since the position could be turned,
there was still time to retire prsumably to the Pipe Creek location.  Or,
they could stay and fight because the position was a strong one that would
not be easily taken by Lee's army.  As we know, Meade opted for the latter
choice.

Tom




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