GDG- Paine's map of AoP positions

[James Cameron]

<< James Long, a
prominent battlefield guide and author of "The 16th Decisive Battle of the
World" (1911)-- a follow-up to a popular book of the 19th Century entitled
"The 15 Decisive Battles of the Word"-- made a remarkable statement:  "Those
who study the history of the battle and visit the field agree that under the
existing circumstances Gen. Sickles did the only thing that could have been
done to keep Gen. Longstreet from seizing Little Round Top. It is believed
by the military critics who visit the field at this late date that had Gen.
Sickles not fought his battle in the manner and form which he did, there
would have been no battle fought at Gettysburg on the Third of July."  >>

Actually, Long was probably right.  At least, up to a point.  Sickles did 
have many supporters, and any number of veterans, and others, would almost 
certainly have expressed such views.  But I doubt that even then there was 
anything like the degree of unanimity he seems to imply.

<< Had Sickles been back on the "line on the spine" and there lost ground, 
the
Taneytown Road would have been lost to the Yankees, probably something that
would have tipped the balance against them.  >>

The point being?  If the Union troops who were on Culps Hill had lost that 
ground, the Baltimore Pike would have been lost to the Yankees, probably 
something that would have tipped the balance against them.  And how far 
behind the 2nd Corps sector of the line was the Taneytown Road?   Wouldn't 
loosing the ground there have tipped the balance?  The ridges and the roads 
ran where they ran.  It wasn't always possible to place the battle lines far 
in advance of important roads.


Jim Cameron