GDG- Stuart "What if"

[Margaret D. Blough]

Actually, Malvern Hill makes even less sense in the context of the concept that Lee knew that McClellan would fall back regardless and Lee only had to keep up the pressure.   
Confederate Gen. D.H. Hill later said of Malvern Hill, ""It was not war, it was murder."  The ratio of Confederate to Union casualties was nearly 2 to 1.  The fascinating thing about studying the Seven Days is that, if you look at each battle individually, the first question to come to mind, at least for me, is, "Why is this considered to be a Confederate victory and the first sign of Lee's genius?" And the answer is in McClellan's head.  The Confederate performance was a melange of missed opportunities, bad or non-existent communication and coordination, and a performance by Jackson, who now had to act as part of a larger army, that, at best, could be called wretched and, at times, inexplicable and bizarre.

Regards,

Margaret

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: The Mills <kkamills at embarqmail.com> 

> Esteemed GDG Member Contributes: 
> 
> 
> I don't think so (not on the Confederates losing). I think the Pipe Creek line 
> is too strong and Lee wouldn't attack. Granted: we see him doing it on July 3, 
> but that is more out of desperation and also Malvern Hill, but that is because 
> he knows Mac is going to fall back regardless and all he has to do is keep up 
> pressure. 
> 
> But I don't see Lee hitting Meade against the Pipe Creek line in enemy 
> territory. The line is too strong and Lee has to know he can't overcome such a 
> line against Meade even if he thinks his army is invincible. If Meade falls 
> back, Lee is able to gain the initiative and make Meade move to Lee's wishes. 
> If Meade falls back, Lee is able to rove again in enemy territory and Lee knows 
> Washington won't allow that. 
> 
> Thanks 
> Andy 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: Robert Lawrence 
> To: GDG 
> Sent: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 11:53:15 -0500 (EST) 
> Subject: RE: GDG- Stuart "What if" 
> 
> Esteemed GDG Member Contributes: 
> 
> 
> Which would have made the name of our group the Pipe Creek Discussion 
> group. I think even if Stuart occupies GB the Confederates still lose. 
> 
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