Fwd: Re: GDG- Lee's management

[Aretta Gemmer]

Toby,

Below is one quick reference to answer your question.  I have pasted a portion 
below.

J Gemmer

http://www.nps.gov/frsp/nanna.htm



With the Federals now firmly in place south of the river, Lee changed his 
tactics. He anchored the center of his line at a strong point on the river 
known as Ox Ford, then drew back the left and right flanks of his army, 
giving his new line the shape of an inverted "V". By maintaining his position 
at Ox Ford, Lee kept the two wings of the Federal army divided. One wing 
could not support the other without marching six miles and crossing the river 
twice. Lee, on the other hand, could readily shift troops from one flank to 
the other, utilizing his interior lines of communication. The Southern 
commander planned to use this advantage to the fullest. While part of his 
army held Warren at bay from the safety of its earthworks, the rest would 
fall upon Hancock and destroy him.

The Federals reacted just as Lee had anticipated. Mistaking refusal of the 
Confederate right flank as a sign of retreat, Hancock crossed the Telegraph 
Road bridge on May 24th and headed south in Pursuit. He had stepped into 
Lee's trap, but Lee failed to spring it. Illness and fatigue had robbed the 
Confederate commander. Thus, as Hancock pushed south into the jaws of the 
Confederate army. Lee lay incapacitated on his cot, muttering over and over 
to himself, "We must strike a blow, we must never let them pass us again, we 
must strike them a blow."

But the time for striking a blow soon passed. Meade quickly realized the peril 
of his situation and ordered Hancock to entrench. By the next morning the 
danger was gone. Firmly dug in, with communications in place, the Union army 
no longer faced the possibility of annihilation. For two days the armies 
faced one another across miles of formidable earthworks with neither side 
venturing to take the offensive. Admitting stalemate on the North Anna, Grant 
withdrew the Union army across the river on the night of May 26th and 
sidestepped once more to the southeast.

----------  Forwarded Message  ----------

Subject: Re: GDG- Lee's management
Date: Tuesday 05 September 2006 03:09 pm
From: Toby Zimmerman <montyphythonspamalot at yahoo.com>
To: GDG <gettysburg at arthes.com>

Esteemed GDG Member Contributes:


As to his health problems:  didn't they play a major role in his not being
 able to give the order to attack at North Anna?  I am sure I am leaving out
 a lot here, but wasn't his health a major factor the North Anna is a minor
 footnote instead of a major battlefield?

  Thanks
  Toby

NPeters102 at aol.com wrote:
  Esteemed GDG Member Contributes:



In a message dated 9/5/2006 2:22:12 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
bthieman at adelphia.net writes:

Health problems sound inexcusable to me. If that was the case, pass the
torch or
go back home. I would enjoy your take on it or any other knowledgeable
member.



Robert:

Did he not try to resign & Jeff Davis would not accept? We know that Lee had
health problems as has been stated here on different threads. If Davis does
accept his resignation or Lee just goes home, who is the commander of the
ANV? Longstreet would be the obvious choice. But he is up to snuff?


Respectfully,

Mike Peters
npeters102 at aol.com
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