General Robert E. Lee did not heed Lieutenant General James Longstreet's advice for a defensive, flanking maneuver at Gettysburg primarily due to Lee's ingrained offensive strategy, his confidence in the Army of Northern Virginia, and a lack of intimate familiarity with the specific terrain of southern Pennsylvania.
The Strategic Disagreement
The Battle of Gettysburg, fought in July 1863, saw a fundamental clash of strategic philosophies between Confederate commander Robert E. Lee and his trusted corps commander, James Longstreet.
- Longstreet's Proposal: Longstreet, often referred to as Lee's "Old War Horse," advocated for a defensive strategy. He believed that the Confederate army should maneuver around the Union flank, positioning themselves between the Union army and Washington D.C., thereby forcing the Federals to attack them on ground of their own choosing. This approach aimed to conserve Confederate strength and capitalize on the Union's potential desperation to defend the capital.
- Lee's Offensive Imperative: In contrast, Lee was inherently an offensive-minded general. His past campaigns, such as the Second Battle of Manassas and Chancellorsville, had demonstrated his brilliant success with aggressive, daring movements against numerically superior forces. He sought to achieve a decisive victory on Northern soil that could potentially end the war, influence European powers, and relieve pressure on the Confederacy.
Key Factors Influencing Lee's Decision
Several critical elements contributed to Lee's decision to pursue a direct assault rather than adopt Longstreet's more cautious approach:
- Unwavering Confidence in His Army: Lee had immense faith in the fighting prowess of the Army of Northern Virginia. Having witnessed their extraordinary resilience and triumphs, he believed they could overcome any obstacle, even fortified Union positions.
- Perceived Opportunity: After the initial successes on July 1st, Lee believed the Union army was vulnerable and disorganized. He saw an immediate opportunity to deliver a knockout blow before the Union forces could fully consolidate their positions on Cemetery Ridge.
- Lee's Offensive Temperament: Lee’s personal strategic style favored audacity and quick decisive action. He disliked allowing the enemy to dictate the terms of engagement or to gain time to strengthen their defenses.
- Lack of Familiarity with Local Terrain: While Lee was intimately familiar with the topography and geography of Northern Virginia, his knowledge of southern Pennsylvania was considerably less detailed. This relative unfamiliarity may have made him less inclined to trust a complex, drawn-out flanking maneuver that would require precise topographical understanding, and instead favored a more direct engagement in an area he perceived as more manageable for his experienced troops.
- Desire for a Decisive Battle: Lee felt immense pressure to achieve a significant victory on Union territory. A prolonged maneuver, while potentially safer, might not have delivered the swift, decisive outcome he desperately sought.
- Command Prerogative: Ultimately, Lee was the commanding general. While he valued his subordinates' advice, the final decision rested with him, and his offensive instincts prevailed.
Comparing the Approaches
The strategic divergence between Lee and Longstreet can be summarized as follows:
| Aspect | Lee's Preferred Strategy (Offensive) | Longstreet's Proposal (Defensive/Flanking) |
|---|---|---|
| Tactical Approach | Direct assault against perceived weak points or the center | Defensive posture, forcing the enemy to attack; flanking maneuver |
| Pace of Engagement | Rapid, decisive action to capitalize on momentum | Deliberate, patient maneuver to find optimal ground |
| Risk Tolerance | High, confident in the army's ability to overcome obstacles | Cautious, seeking to minimize casualties by fighting defensively |
| Goal | Achieve a swift, decisive victory to end the war | Preserve army strength, draw the enemy onto favorable terrain |
| Terrain Use | Less emphasis on intricate maneuvers; more on direct advance | Heavy reliance on specific terrain for strategic positioning |
Lee's decision at Gettysburg, though made with conviction and based on his past successes, ultimately led to costly frontal assaults, most notably Pickett's Charge on July 3rd, which proved disastrous for the Confederacy and marked a significant turning point in the war.
