GDG- war councils

[Richard & Sue Ann Schaus]

Hi J.D.

You'll get no argument from me that Pleasonton was often a better author
of historical fiction than nonfiction.

Having said that, his story of being ordered to gather artillery and
cavalry to cover a withdrawal seems almost too big a whopper, even for
Pleasonton.  It could be so easily shot down by anyone close to Meade.
I don't recall any of those close to Meade shooting him down, did
anyone?
I wonder if it's possible that he was directed to identify units that
could cover a withdrawal if necessary, and he typically overstated his
orders?

Even though he was more of a glorified staff officer than a cavalry
corps commander at Gettysburg, Meade still sent the cavalry orders to
him.  His input on the status/location of the cavalry should have been
important to the council.  I do find it hard to believe that his
presence was not requested at the council.
I believe that both Hunt and Tyler had been requested to attend, but
arrived after it had ended.

VR, Rick Schaus


-----Original Message-----
From: gettysburg-bounces at arthes.com
[mailto:gettysburg-bounces at arthes.com] On Behalf Of J. David Petruzzi
Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 5:41 PM
To: GDG
Subject: RE: GDG- war councils

Esteemed GDG Member Contributes:


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.

 
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