GDG- "I suppose the Union Army had something to do with it".

[Todd Estabrooks]

As I'm sure most of you know, when asked about why his charge failed, George
Pickett said "I suppose the Union Army had something to do with it". I think
this statement would be rightfully applied to the whole battle, not just the
Cemetery Ridge assault. I also believe that traditional thought believes
that Gettysburg was Lee's to lose, and he due to one blunder by himself or
his subordinates after another. Unfortunately, I think the movie give this
message, even with its potrayal of Buford and Chamberlain. Here is a list of
examples of how, I believe, the Union Army contributed to its own victory
much more than most people realize.

1. The high ground on July 1st- one of the great legends of Gettysburg, of
course, is that Lee lost the battle because Ewell failed to take the high
ground of Culp's Hill and Cemeteray Hill. However, it seems to me that this
is due much more to Buford than even the movie portrays. Basically, my
theory is that Ewell's and Lee's hesitency was caused indirectly by the
actions of Buford, Doubleday, Reynolds and Howard. As I understand it,
Buford's goal was to hold off the enemy long enough to protect the high
ground along seminary ridge, and the other generals collectively carried
this mission for the rest of the day. My theory is that because the Union
army fought a good defensive battle, they were able to hold the attack until
nightfall-by which time the confederate army was weary and scattered over
the field, and running out of time to continue the attack. This gave the
Union army an advantage, and because of the confederate army's situation
(which was partly induced by the Union Army's defense), Ewell and Lee were
placed in a dicy situation by the Union army. If the Union had not held long
enough, and Seminary Ridge had been taken around noon, say, the confederates
would have had a much more favorable chance at taking the high ground along
Cemetery Ridge.

July 2nd- one little-known story in the Battle of Gettysburg is the defense
of Culp's Hill by the 137th New York. From what I've read, Greene's brigade
was stretched far too much on Culp's Hill, and so the 137th had to defend a
large amount of ground, making their defense more difficult. I also
understand the if the 137th hadn't succeeded, then Greene's line could very
well have been broken, and that strategic hill taken by the confederates.

I'll continue the list later, and let everyone discuss these two items.