GDG- Paine's map of AoP positions

[James Cameron]

<< I think these three accounts compliment each other in giving us the
impression of Hunt's on-the-spot assessment, something that he said he would
convey to Meade.  >>

I'm still waiting for the part where Hunt said the forward line was 
preferred.

Also, you leave certain things out.  You say, "In summary, the "salient line 
proposed by
General Sickles "was in my judgment tactically the better line of the two,
provided it were strongly occupied." Hunt explained that it would be up to
Meade to authorize more men, but that he would make his report."  But what 
about what Hunt went on to write, in the sentence after the one you quote?

"But General Meade had not, until after the arrival of the Sixth Corps, a 
sufficient number of troops at his disposal to risk such an extension of his 
lines; it would have required both the Third and the Fifth corps, and left 
him without any reserve.  Had he known that Lee's attack would be postpones 
until 4 P.M., he might have occupied this line in the morning; but he did 
not know this, expected an attack at any moment, and, in view of the vast 
interests involved, adopted a defensive policy, and ordered the occupation 
of the safe line line."

How was Meade to authorize more men, if he didn't have enough on hand?

Hunt went on to say, "After finishing my examination I returned to 
headquarters and briefly reported to General Meade that the proposed line 
was a good one in itself, that it offered favorable positions for artillery, 
but that its relations to the other lines were such that I could not 
recommend it, and suggested that he examine it himself before ordering its 
occupation."

And that's the crux of the matter.  The advance line may indeed have been a 
good one, in itself.  But, it couldn't be considered in that way.  As with 
any proposed line, it had to be viewed in "its relations to the other lines" 
held by the rest of the army.  Therefore, while Hunt, as a professional, 
could well appreciate that it offered certain advantages, he could not 
recommend taking up that line.


Jim Cameron