GDG- Signal station on LRT on July 2

[JIM COOKE]

We just enjoyed a battle walk with Park Ranger Troy Harman which covered some of the ground of the countermarch. In Troy's opinion, Meade was expecting an attack on his right on July 2, and the sighting of the countermarch by the signal station on LRT confirmed his suspicions in his mind. If southbound troops were seen by the signal station, the ASOP would IMO have had sufficient time to react and meet the attack with a stronger defense IF (a big one) the attack took place as it ultimately did. If the two divisions had marched straight to their ordered jumping-off point, with McLaws leading and Hood in support, they may have been able to deliver a crushing blow earlier than 4 P.M. Intewresting thoughts.
JC
----- Original Message -----
From: Alan D. Brunelle <Alan.Brunelle at pobox.com>
To: GDG <gettysburg at arthes.com>
Sent: Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:33:40 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: GDG- Signal station on LRT on July 2

Esteemed GDG Member Contributes:


Tom Ryan wrote:
> Esteemed GDG Member Contributes:
>
> Given the lateness of the afternoon already, an argument could be made that
> Longstreet should have ignored the signal station and continued his march to
> get into position some two hours earlier than the eventual 4 p.m. or so
> launch time -- despite the fact that the Union army would have been alerted
> to his movements.  That one seems to be a close call, however.
>
> Tom Ryan

Hi Tom -

IIRC there was a message sent from LRT stating that they saw ANV troops 
heading /north/ (the counter march) - I don't know if that ever reached 
Meade. If it did, it would have reinforced the in his mind the notion 
that the battle would take place on his right, not his left.

If Longstreet had not counter marched, and a message from LRT reached 
Meade (in a timely manner) indicating a large body of troops heading 
/south/ then I would think Meade would have been much more involved on 
the Sickles front earlier - and most likely dragging Sickles & his men 
back to where they belonged...

Alan

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