GDG- Ewell and the High Ground

[James Cameron]

>If he had been with the army, undoubtedly Culp's Hill would have been in
the hands of the ANV.  As a matter of fact, if Stuart had been available, it
is even more likely that the ANV would have arrived at Gettysburg first, and
the situation would have been reversed with the ANV on the high ground and
the Union army trying to decide how to confront this near impregnable
position.

I think this is an excellent demonstration of why "what-ifs" are so
dangerous.  I think you are taking the battle as we know it, adding a dash
of Stuart, and making adjustments to what we know happened as a result.  I
think what you describe as "undoubtedly" and "likely" are just a couple of
numerous possibilities given the presence of Stuart with the ANV prior to
June 30.

- Bob Coffman  >>

If Stuart had been with the army, maybe nobody even gets to Gettysburg at 
all.   Once Stuart is put with the rest of the army, sooner than was 
actually the case, everything changes to the point that not even the battle 
itself can be taken as a certainty.


Jim Cameron