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In the Wake of Gettysburg - A Review of "Lee is Trapped and Must be Taken"
Another book on what Meade should have done. The book is very detailed and carefully analyzed. They included the misinformation, questionable reports, and misreading of the circumstances.
Another book on what Meade should have done. The book is very detailed and carefully analyzed. They included the misinformation, questionable reports, and misreading of the circumstances.
The authors of this extraordinarily well-researched volume are at their best in reviewing all of the options before Meade in the aftermath of the Union victory at Gettysburg. They examine the decision-making process of the upper echelon of command and note opportunities offered and opportunities missed. Drawing from rich first-hand testimony and personal reflections of the campaign, the highly partisan press, the OR, published memoirs and regimental histories, and the voluminous secondary histories (both academic and otherwise) of the battle and its aftermath, the authors present a meticulously detailed account of Lee’s withdrawal from Gettysburg beginning on July 4, 1863 through the South Mountain passes to the Potomac River and the (relative) safety of Virginia. I especially appreciated how the authors couple narrative with careful analysis of the events. They reveal the misinformation, misinformed reports, and misread circumstances that at least partially colored the Union army perspective.
Gettysburg did not implicitly mean the Confederates were defeated. Morale among the Confederates remained high. I especially appreciated how the authors implicitly bring the notion of turning points into question. Sure, Confederates were disappointed with a defeat, and Union soldiers were happy with a victory - yet the persistent idea that the war was somehow all downhill for the Rebels from Gettysburg forward does not emerge in this book. Rather, testimony from Confederate soldiers noting their determination and military prowess and from Union soldiers lamenting the continuation of the fight pepper this volume. My own work on the Petersburg Siege shows how Confederate soldiers in the trenches were certain that they would soon see victory…so I would be surprised if many Rebs thought that all was lost in Pennsylvania. Despite the “setback,” as many observed, they remained confident in their commander.
One thing I find missing from a lot of Meade should have done conversations is the question of what was Meade's mission along with the newness of Meade to command and the damage the Army of the Potomac had taken and the loss of many commanders. This book addresses that. I really enjoy books like this simply for the fact that they inspire further thought on the campaign. Though there are around 6 zillion books on the Battle of Gettysburg, I never grow tired of discussing it and reading different takes on the action (or lack, thereof…as it were). Readers should find plenty to debate after reading “Lee is Trapped…” What was Meade’s mission? Destroy Lee’s army and close the deal (like Halleck and Lincoln wished) or defend Washington City (Like Halleck and Lincoln wished…). And then there’s the whole “newness” issue. After all, Meade had assumed command of the army only days before the battle - hell, he didn’t even know where all the various pieces were located and had to get up to speed quickly before he took on the Confederacy’s best. I mean…it’s at least possible that he acted prudently in the wake of victory…isn’t it? Remember, his army was knocked around a bit too. Not only had the Army of the Potomac lost thousands killed, wounded, and captured - but he also had three new corps commanders with which to deal and many of his veteran field-grade officers were dead. Suffice it to say…the command structure was a mess. I enjoyed this book for the fact that the authors take all of this into consideration and tend to read the story forward rather than adjudicating from the vantage point of the 21st century.