GDG- Day 2- What was Ewell Thinking?

[Smith, David [USA]]

Here's a question I have that is somewhat related to the Sickles'
controversy but I hope will start a new string.
 
According Lee's plan as I understand it, Ewell was supposed to "advance
at the sound of the guns" with Longstreet's attack.  But he didn't.  Why
not?
 
I had this elaborate theory worked out that Ewell was expecting to hear
the sounds of the guns get closer, but when the axis of the attack was
changed from down the Emittsburg Road to toward Little Round Top, he
didn't quite hear the sounds he expected (and noise on the battlefield
can be very confusing - sometimes it can sound closer or further away
than it was) - and so he held up.  That's maybe where Sickles move comes
in.
 
Then I looked at Pfanz and found out that Ewell apparently watched the
whole thing from the Lutheran Seminary cupola.  So he didn't need the
noise at all (isn't it great how facts can get in the way of a beloved
theory?)  So why didn't Ewell promptly attack? - I suspect the breakdown
of the en echelon attack as the attack transitioned from Longstreet's to
Hill's corps had something to do with that.  Did Ewell think he was the
last part of the en echelon attack?  But weren't his orders to advance
right away?  As it was, he advanced against positions where troops had
been stripped.  And perhaps his success persuaded Lee to attack on the
third day.
 
Lee bemoans his inability to get everyone working together "in concert."
Surely this must have been an example.  I would love to know what the
group thinks.  Thanks, and looking forward to it.

David
 
David G. Smith, Ph.D.
(703) 807-2849
smith_david_g at bah.com