General Robertson The Cause of Lee's Defeat...

[5fish]

Cavalry General Beverly Holcombe Robertson was the cause of Lee's great defeat at Gettysburg. Yes, the cause. He was given the duty by Stuart to cover the passes and watch the union army during Lee's move into Pennsylvania. He was supposed to be Lee's eyes....and he failed at it. Where did I find this revelation in the following book.....it starts on the bottom of page 69 and is a short read.


http://books.google.com/books?id=geTP6cBNcP0C&pg=PA69&dq=General+Beverly+Holcombe+Robertson&hl=en&ei=CD5ZTJegJY2gnQftjNzaCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CFIQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=General Beverly Holcombe Robertson&f=false


I think there may be some truth for General Robertson preformed well during the retreat but soon after returning to Virginia he asked for a transfer. It seems Stuart took the fall for Robertson failure during the Gettysburg campaign. It seems Robertson chose to quietly go away....

I do not know why historian seem to ignore this revelation of history. I must assume it does not make for a good story, or romantic enough, or for good lore if Lee's great defeat is hung on a second rate cavalry commander...

In some of Robertson's bio, you may find in passing to did not do his duty well during the Gettysburg campaign but no details. You have the truth General Beverly Holcombe Robertson was the cause of Lee's great defeat at Gettysburg. The mystery has been solved!!!!!

Links to Robertson's bios....

http://antietam.aotw.org/officers.php?officer_id=1089

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverly_Robertson

http://stonewall.hut.ru/leaders/robertson.htm

 

[5fish]

Here Robertson's orders … It seems Stuart was not planning on returning form his vanity ride …

HDQRS. CAV. DIV.,

ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, June 24, 1863.

Brig. Gen. B. H. ROBERTSON, Commanding Cavalry:

GENERAL: Your own and General Jones' brigades will cover the front of Ashby's and Snicker's Gaps, yourself, as senior officer, being in command.

Your object will be to watch the enemy; deceive him as to our designs, and harass his rear if you find he is retiring. Be always on the alert; let nothing escape your observation, and miss no opportunity which offers to damage the enemy.

After the enemy has moved beyond your reach, leave sufficient pickets in the mountains, withdraw to the west side of the Shenandoah, place a strong and reliable picket to watch the enemy at Harper's Ferry, cross the Potomac, and follow the army, keeping on its right and rear.

As long as the enemy remains in your front in force, unless otherwise ordered by General R. E. Lee, Lieutenant-General Longstreet, or myself, hold the Gaps with a line of pickets reaching across the Shenandoah by Charlestown to the Potomac.

If, in the contingency mentioned, you withdraw, sweep the Valley clear of what pertains to the army, and cross the Potomac at the different points crossed by it.

You will instruct General Jones from time to time as the movements progress, or events may require, and report anything of importance to Lieutenant-General Longstreet, with whose position you will communicate by relays through Charlestown.

I send instructions for General Jones, which please read. Avail yourself of every means in your power to increase the efficiency of your command, and keep it up to the highest number possible. Particular attention will be paid to shoeing horses, and to marching off of the turnpike.

In case of an advance of the enemy, you will offer such resistance as will be justifiable to check him and discover his intentions and, if possible, you will prevent him from gaining possession of the Gaps.

In case of a move by the enemy upon Warrenton, you will counteract it as much as you can, compatible with previous instructions.

You will have with the two brigades two batteries of horse artillery.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. E. B. STUART,

Major-General, Commanding.

Do not change your present line of pickets until daylight to-morrow morning, unless compelled to do so.

 

[Joshism]

After the enemy has moved beyond your reach, leave sufficient pickets in the mountains, withdraw to the west side of the Shenandoah, place a strong and reliable picket to watch the enemy at Harper's Ferry, cross the Potomac, and follow the army, keeping on its right and rear.

Robertson screwed up badly here. He and Jones (who was subordinate to Robertson during this time?) failed to shift north as the AotP moved. IIRC, Lee had to personally order them to get their butts to Gettysburg because they were still in Virginia.

As for Stuart's "vanity ride": have you read Plenty of Blame to Go Around?

 

[Canteen]

I thought the Yanks had something to do with it?

Kevin Dally

 

[5fish]

I thought the Yanks had something to do with it?

Kevin Dally

Lee had been blinded by the action and inaction of his cavalry commanders...