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MacPherson is constant in his position. Tactically G'burg was a raid, strategically moving north would bring recognition of sovereignty.

G'burg was ever intended as the "final battle" as stated in the title.

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ever = never

[Non-Sequitur]

MacPherson is constant in his position. Tactically G'burg was a raid, strategically moving north would bring recognition of sovereignty.

While I have a great deal of respect for McPherson and his work, if Lee really believed that anything he did could result in diplomatic recognition, either from Lincoln or Europe, then he was as big a fool as Davis. Lee's reasons for moving North had nothing to do with diplomacy.