So Lee should have gone ape, eh?
If they wanted to win, that’s what they could of done, but Lee had seen enough death and did the honorable thing and surrendered.
Actually Lee did go full “ape” and it ensured the failure of his army.
I am currently reading The Killer Angels (A novel of the Civil War). It specifically focuses on the battle at Gettysburg, and the top officers of both sides. It was well researched, and the thoughts and feelings of these key officers is presented in chilling detail.
This was the first, and last, major excursion into enemy territory, and Lee was determined to make the most of it. He was apparently feeling the effects and drain of the heart condition that would eventually kill him. He was seriously betrayed by Jeb Stuart who ignored his orders to use his cavelry to travel widely, determine size and location of Union forces, and maintain reporting to Lee. Stuarts deriliction of duty was so severe several Generals wanted him court marshalled.
Lee ignored important pieces of advice from his best general, Longstreet, who pioneered military concepts of defensive warfare. Taking and holding high ground is an important military concept. On the second day Lee did not send troops south of Little Round Top and lacking those extra troops the rebels were unable to take this piece of high grounds with very heavy losses. On the third day Lee insisted a reluctant Longstreet attack the center of Cemetary Ridge, up a steep hill against dug in and well fortified troops. The losses were catastrophic, and the war returned to the south and never again in the next 2 years entered the north. That night and intense storm washed all the blood into the earth. The following day was the 4th of July.
Will Putin do any better if he decides to go full “ape,” or is he already doing that?