[prof.h.mandingo]

Stuart screwed up but I agree A.P. Hill was more responsible. Of course if you want the real reason for the loss you have to look to Ewell on the first day. Lee was in a position to roll up the entire Army of the Potomac but Ewell held back and allowed the Yanks to fortify Cemetery Hill. Lee really missed Jackson on that day. The Army of the Potomac was scattered and most of Lee's men were in perfect position to sweep the field. Hill screwed up the second days battle.
If you want an interesting take on the battle read “Last Chance for Victory”. It presents Longstreet in a much better light. He handled his part of the second days battle perfectly.
I don't know if you are aware but Reb troops were on Cemetery hill the evening of the second days battle. Meade had stripped his entire line to fend of Longstreet. It was as Lee planned and Hill failed to support the attack as ordered and the unsupported Rebs were driven back thus bringing on the tragic third days battle.

[Kenny Bunk]

Great post. Plenty of Confederate blame to go 'round on that day. Lee told Ewell to occupy Cemetery Ridge "If practicable!" Reckon he thought it wasn't.

Lee wasn't at his best that 1st day, either. Vicious case of dysentery. A.P. Hill was a charismatic commander, but it's my impression that he was much too impetuous and liable to go off half-cocked, screwing up Lee's well laid plans ... and this wasn't the first time either. His over-aggressiveness goes back to First Manassas and then his service under Jackson.

He also seemed quite careless of casualties, which Lee always thought to minimize by maneuver rather than direct assault.

Have you been to the battlefield?