[Nuc1]

Interesting take. I hadn’t considered that the folks could just be tired because they had such overwhelming numbers. But they had been marching hard to get there, fought a pitched battle, and really didn’t have any idea about the union deployment.

I think Lee lost his mind at Gettysburg. Pickets charge was the ultimate foolishness. While it wouldn’t make any difference in the final outcome of the war Lee, should moved right and fallen back to DC and bleed them white. Perfectly clear in hindsight. I am always impressed with the courage of the soldiers of both sides. Given the tactics and medicine of the time, those folks had some grit. I wonder if I could have been as courageous.

[carton253]

Tell me why you think Pickett’s charge was the ultimate foolishness.

[LS]

There is a relatively new book-—I don’t recall the title-—but it’s by a military guy who argues that Lee HAD to attack on July 3 because his supply train had gotten far to his northwest, and to turn it around would take an entire day. If he didn’t attack, the Union could have cut him off from his supply lines. I have been told about this, but haven’t read it yet.