GDG- war councils

[J. David Petruzzi]

Rick Schaus wrote:

>>Pleasonton stated that he was not at the council because he had been
ordered by Meade around 1700 "to collect what cavalry and artillery he
could proceed with it to the rear, and take up a position to cover the
retreat of the army." (L&L, pp 396).  Pleasonton was not at the council,
he was a corps commander, and if not for his stated reason, why was he
absent?>>


Hi Rick,

My considered opinion is that Pleasonton was simply lying (surprise!)  About
90% of the B&L article that that quote comes from is, in fact, pure hogwash.
Pleasonton was evidently not asked to attend the council (for whatever
reason, I tend to think Meade didn't feel Alf's presence to be important)
and there's one source who mentions he saw Pleasonton sort of hanging around
HQ while the meeting was taking place, looking quite miffed...

He was certainly not "collecting" assets of any kind, was not ordered to do
so by Meade, and it certainly wouldn't have been to cover any kind of a
decided retreat if it had been so ordered.

Best,

J.D.