GDG- Corp size at GB

[Chet Diestel]

Esteemed GDG Member Tom Ryan Contributes:

   Lee's one-on-one style of communicating with his commanders seems to 
reflect the fact that Lee rarely looked for input regarding strategy. 
Henormally outlined the strategy and desired (perhaps expected ia a better 
word) his commanders to carry out his plans.  If he held councils like Meade 
did, he would have less control of the outcome of the meeting.  One-on-one 
meetings allowed him to better dictate the strategy, and motivate the 
commander to carry it out.

          Regards, Tom Ryan

   Once the battle commenced, there was little "strategic" thinking by 
either side, but lots of tactical decisions and a fair amount of 
maneuvering, and there is where Lee failed in his administrative capacity as 
the general commanding.
  Having his expectations met by two experienced corps commanders like 
Longstreet and Jackson was one thing, but both Ewell and Hill were 
exercising that high and, in the ANV, somewhat lightly supervised positions 
for the first time and Lee should not have assumed capabilities as yet 
untested. A good division commander does not always make a good corps 
commander, etc.
   Lee really needed to keep a tighter grip on his subordinate commanders in 
order to achieve a team-like coordination. This should have been especially 
apparent after the first day's battle with Ewell's hesitation and Hill's 
lackluster performance.
   With regards,
           Chet