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I also am not much for what ifs, however when it comes to a discussion on a specific battle one tends to almost take a what if stance since the outcome was written all those many years ago. What I was referring to was Lee's actual timed plan for the battle, from the 2nd day on its very apparent that not one of Lee's unit commanders dealt with his orders verbatim, All of this because of Longstreet's grumbling and back biting, and groaning. and of course of General Ewell's failure to take the high ground on the 1st day, which after a meeting with those concerned he (LONGSTREET) states in front of subordinate commanders hes not moving till Pickett was up who had no-role to play on that 2nd day, Longstreet clearly didn't follow what Lee had told him to do. And the 3rd day was the worst of them all! Had General Longstreet followed to the letter Lees plan, it would clearly be improbable and very unlikely that from the southern side there would have been a defeat. Case in point- The Attack was originally scheduled to take place in conjunction with an attack by Ewell's Corps who was to attack the fish hook by the way the fish hook was the very place, that Meade was able to muster the reinforcements from, that threw out General Armisteads men later on that afternoon. Now the attack was scheduled in the very early hours around sun rise which according to written historical facts that with no-wind to mention there would have been early morning ground mist, and that on the previous 2 days took near to 11am to burn off which means Picketts men would have been able to assemble out of view and they would have definitely cleared Emmitsburg Road before any glimpse would have been discerned by northern soldiers, now the North would have known of their coming but to have trained an accurate volley either cannon and or musket would have been only slightly effective as it was some hours latter, also what sun there was would have been in the federal troopers soldiers and cannoneers eyes again making harder targets of the southern soldier, Yet Longstreet sat and sulked because he believed his plan more appealing, Longstreet the man and commander well he was sound and up to Gettysburg was solid and yes your right when he left Lee to shore up Bragg he found out the hard way, I think if he had been with Bragg first he would have seen the sound ethics of Lees plan, but there's your what if scenario for sure. Also there wouldn't have been a shortage of artillery ammunition here would have been plenty, because Alexander wouldn't have opened up till the actual crossing would have started and there would have been ample for any follow up thus needed later. Mr. Freeman covers it pretty well in his books on Lees Lieutenants, and he also lays out the original battle plan far better than I ever could. I have walked that walk many times in my many years, you cant help being moved and I always think had that attack moved off when it was supposed to how many brave soldiers wouldn't have died. I am bit older than you and maybe I as an old nut am set in my principals but to me I have listened for years while people have besmeared Lee and his conduct that day. Then Ted Turner hires the biggest liberal to play lee what a real shame that was. And they put the old it was all about slavery crap into the battle I guess folks forget about indentured servitude and very few must not have heard of the population records of 1859 that stated for every 7 black slaves their were 2 whites, and at least 3 native Americans shoved into slavery, now granted these folks were repaying debts but servitude is servitude I hope I have not over stepped my bounds of this learned site, I am not as efficient as you with a computer and sometimes this technology is a bit to much for me. Also I am not sure of the posting methods so will go this way and hope its the correct way. H.K. Douglass III