Battle Of Gettysburg Essay
Introduction
Throughout early American history we see a country struggling to define itself. The Revolutionary War, followed shortly after by the War of 1812, secured America’s freedom from foreign powers but left a country of loosely gathered states that were, quite often, at odds with one another. Following the Mexican American War, The Civil War brought to culmination events that would forever change the political and social landscape of our great nation. Gettysburg effectively ended the Confederate Army’s offensive capabilities and essentially ended the war. General Lee’s ego and his desire to crush the Union Army on the field of battle led to the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg. Victories just prior to the main battle exhausted his men …show more content…
By over extending themselves and pressing their supplies to the limits, the Confederates were exhausted prior to the main battle at Gettysburg. Coupled with Lee’s discretionary orders to his subordinates and his inability to micro-manage his troops, the Confederates were on the path to destruction.
At Brandy Station, Jeb Stuart was caught unaware by a Union Cavalry advancement that was sent to destroy him outright. The Union Cavalry was lead by Brigadier General Pleasonton who was order by General Hooker to attack and destroy Stuart’s forces in the area. On June 9th, 1863, Pleasonton and his men crossed the Rappahannock River in order to assault the Confederate Cavalry units in the area (Clark, 1987). In the corresponding battle that took place, the Union Cavalry was able to catch the Confederates off guard and tarnished Jeb Stuart’s flawless cavalry record. The Battle of Brandy Station ended in a Confederate victory but it also showed the Union Cavalry that Stuart’s forces were not invincible, as they had once thought (Clark, 1987). This battle demoralized Stuart to an extent. He often claimed that the newspapers were wrong and that he was never caught off guard, and to an extent he was correct. Stuart had successfully screened Pleasanton and his men who were never able to ascertain the whereabouts of the main body of the Confederate
Throughout early American history we see a country struggling to define itself. The Revolutionary War, followed shortly after by the War of 1812, secured America’s freedom from foreign powers but left a country of loosely gathered states that were, quite often, at odds with one another. Following the Mexican American War, The Civil War brought to culmination events that would forever change the political and social landscape of our great nation. Gettysburg effectively ended the Confederate Army’s offensive capabilities and essentially ended the war. General Lee’s ego and his desire to crush the Union Army on the field of battle led to the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg. Victories just prior to the main battle exhausted his men …show more content…
By over extending themselves and pressing their supplies to the limits, the Confederates were exhausted prior to the main battle at Gettysburg. Coupled with Lee’s discretionary orders to his subordinates and his inability to micro-manage his troops, the Confederates were on the path to destruction.
At Brandy Station, Jeb Stuart was caught unaware by a Union Cavalry advancement that was sent to destroy him outright. The Union Cavalry was lead by Brigadier General Pleasonton who was order by General Hooker to attack and destroy Stuart’s forces in the area. On June 9th, 1863, Pleasonton and his men crossed the Rappahannock River in order to assault the Confederate Cavalry units in the area (Clark, 1987). In the corresponding battle that took place, the Union Cavalry was able to catch the Confederates off guard and tarnished Jeb Stuart’s flawless cavalry record. The Battle of Brandy Station ended in a Confederate victory but it also showed the Union Cavalry that Stuart’s forces were not invincible, as they had once thought (Clark, 1987). This battle demoralized Stuart to an extent. He often claimed that the newspapers were wrong and that he was never caught off guard, and to an extent he was correct. Stuart had successfully screened Pleasanton and his men who were never able to ascertain the whereabouts of the main body of the Confederate