[ClearCase_guy]

When Lee had Stonewall Jackson at his side, he could take some long shots and they often worked out nicely. Jackson was killed about a month before Gettysburg, and I suspect that Lee was still thinking that high risk ventures were a smart and necessary strategy.

Also, if Jackson had been at Gettysburg and had suggested a move to the right, I suspect that Lee would have done so. Although Lee had great respect for Longstreet, when Longstreet suggested the move to the right, I think Lee held back, thinking that only Jackson could pull it off and that without Jackson, it was safer just to slam into the center.

An odd mixture of too much risk-taking and too much playing-it-safe. And yet, it might have worked.

[Michael.SF.]

good points.

[mainepatsfan]

The “what if Jackson were at Gettysburg?” questions are fascinating. Ewell and Longstreet have been convenient scapegoats for those trying to absolve Lee of any responsibility for the defeat.