GDG- Day 2 - What was Ewell Thinking?

[John Baniszewski]

I would not go too hard on Ewell for his day 2 actions.  After all, he was told "make a demonstration against the enemy's right flank, to be turned into a full scale assault, should circumstances warrant".  So for a second day in a row, he got an order from Lee that really put a burden upon him.  He did make the demonstration in the afternoon, in the form of the artillery attack in which Latimer suffered so heavily.  But the "should circumstances warrant" part was the challenge.  With his inability to communicate with Longstreet, he had no way to accurately gauge "if circumstances warranted".

Whatever fault there is, I place upon Lee.  As overall army commander, it was Lee's job to set up some form of control over the two corp that were to cooperate, and enable their communication.  He did not do that.

I also fault Lee in allowing Ewell to remain where he was at the end of July 1.  Lee recognized Ewell was in an awkward position, where he could not work effectively in coordination with Longstreet and Hill.  Lee even gave Ewell orders to move back to Seminary Ridge.  But he let Ewell talk him out of it.

John Baniszewski


John Baniszewski