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| Posted: Sat Nov 14th, 2009 10:52 pm |
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1st Post |
Naim Peress
Member
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Though this topic has been relentlessly debated, I'm curious to know what people think. Would it have been possible for Meade to pursue and destroy Lee's army after the Battle of Gettysburg? After the thousands of casualties endured by the Union Army due to the battle, I think not.
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| Posted: Sun Nov 22nd, 2009 11:49 pm |
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2nd Post |
ole
Member
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Definitely an iffy, Naim. One of the least advised military movements is impetuously chasing a retreating army. (Chasing a routed army is a must, but not one that's taken time to get it's act together.)
It's possible that Meade could have, at great sacrifice, brought Lee to bay -- at a place of Lee's chosing. With a big pitched battle, with resultant casualties, he might have captured the AoNV.
It would have been a gamble with enormous payoff or disastrous results.
Aside from the whipping and the disorganization Meade suffered, it would have been possible to show a little more haste in an effort.
Ole
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| Posted: Mon Nov 23rd, 2009 01:04 am |
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3rd Post |
Doc C
Member
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In due respect, once Meade got going he came extremely close to devistating the ANV prior to their escape across the Potomac, imho. A true wiskers' hair.
Doc C
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| Posted: Mon Nov 23rd, 2009 02:36 am |
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4th Post |
ole
Member
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Only because the river was high and the pontoons were nowhere close. Close counts only in horseshoes and hand grenades.
I'm of a mind that Meade did all he could reasonably expected to do, so I'm playing devil's advocate.
Ole
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| Posted: Mon Nov 23rd, 2009 11:27 am |
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5th Post |
Naim Peress
Member
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It's an interesting question. I wonder if the Army of the Potomac was in much of a position to pursue after Gettysburg.
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| Posted: Mon Nov 23rd, 2009 01:39 pm |
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6th Post |
ole
Member
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There were several Federal units in good enough shape to follow -- the broken cavalry was sent after the AoNV -- but there is a question of sorting out the jumbled trains to accompany a pursuing force.
And here it might be noted that Lee managed to send off his trains on the Fourth and marched the same day. What was Meade doing?
Ole
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| Posted: Tue Nov 24th, 2009 11:34 am |
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7th Post |
| Posted: Wed Dec 30th, 2009 12:04 am |
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8th Post |
HallowedGround
Member
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I agree with ya Naim . I don't think Meads army was in any condition to pursue the reb army and destroy them. I know Lincoln thought he should have, but then again Lincoln wasn't there.
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