Lee's Real Plan at Gettysburg

by Troy D. Harman

Overview

For almost 100 years, analysis of the Gettysburg Campaign has centered around an oversimplified view of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's goals for the battle. Lee's Real Plan at Gettysburg presents a provocative new theory regarding Lee's true tactical objectives during this pivotal battle of the American Civil War.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780811736626
Publisher:	Stackpole Books
Publication date:	08/01/2018
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	168
Product dimensions:	5.92(w) x 9.09(h) x 0.45(d)

About the Author

Troy D. Harman has been a National Park Service Ranger since 1984. His assignments have included historical interpretation at Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Parks, and, since 1989, Gettysburg National Military Park. This is his first book.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations vii

List of Maps ix

Foreword xi

Acknowledgments xiii

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 Why Lee Targeted Cemetery Hill 9

Chapter 2 The Hours before the Second Day 19

Chapter 3 The Importance of Little Round Top 25

Chapter 4 Why Little Round Top Was Not Lee's Objective 35

Chapter 5 Lee's Plan to Converge His Forces 41

Chapter 6 Why Lee Failed on Day Two 49

Chapter 7 "The General Plan Was Unchanged" 63

Chapter 8 Day Three: Pickett's Charge 69

Chapter 9 A Reassessment of Pickett's Charge 85

Chapter 10 Who Directed Pickett's Charge? 105

Conclusion 113

Notes 123

Bibliography 137

Index 145

Editorial Reviews

The Battle of Gettysburg, long viewed as the turning point of the American Civil War, has been studied at great length. The accepted version of this seminal battle portrays General Lee as confused, with no plan, sending Pickett's men on a suicide mission on the last day. As with most military actions, the victors write the history. Harman, a National Park Service Ranger stationed at the famous battlefield, questions commonly held beliefs about why the battle unfolded in the manner it did. In doing so, he challenges more than 100 years of written history. Harman argues that General Lee had a plan at Gettysburg and followed that plan for three days. He contends that Cemetery Hill was Lee's objective and that the inconclusive attacks on July 2 and 3 were made based on Lee's battle plan. Regardless of whether one accepts Harman's line of reasoning, this book provides insights that raise serious questions about the validity of accepted historical accounts of the battle. If further research proves Harman correct, Cemetery Hill should become the focal point at Gettysburg instead of Little Round Top. Well written, easy to read, and supported with maps and notes, this work is highly recommended for all libraries, especially those with Civil War collections.-Lt. Col. (ret.) Charles M. Minyard, U.S. Army, Mt. Pleasant, MI Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

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