Why Did Lee Lose At The Battle Of Gettysburg

The Battle of Gettysburg goes down in history as one of the bloodiest battle to take place during the Civil War. Even though he amassed a huge casualty rate, General Robert E. Lee is still considered one of the greatest military leaders to command during the War. From the day he took command of the Army of Virginia, Lee had sweeping victories over the Union army in the North. Among these being, the Second Battle of Bull Run, the Seven Days Battle, and his overwhelming triumph at Chancellorsville. With all these victories under his belt, why did Lee’s army suffer such a devastating loss at the Battle of Gettysburg? Three very important decisions contributed to the Lee’s loss at Gettysburg. Among these being, Lieutenant General Ewell’s failure

These few premises are among the three most important factors that led to the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg; which can be judged from a strategic or circumstantial standpoint. Was it really Lee’s management mishaps that cost him the fight or was it left up to conditional calamities? The overcoming question remains, was it Lee who was ultimately responsible for the loss at Gettysburg or the failure of his juniors?

Starting with the first day of the battle, one of Lee’s corps elements led by Lieutenant General Ewell was one of the

Lee was not provided proper intelligence throughout the battle, because of a shortage of Calvary, making it hard for him to effectively organize a well-conceived assault on the opposing force. So, why then would he choose to mount an offensive without proper communication in hand? Could it be the fact that his men were in such a high moral state from the previous days rout of the enemy? Or that he felt the need to “act” in aggressive manner while spirits were high? Union troops movements were not made known to Lee, until it were too late for him to act upon them. Lee’s men failed repeatedly in taking any of the towering vantage points among the battlefield, to include the “round tops”, as they were refereed, would have given Lee not only great vantage point over the Northern forces, but allow him to a mass his artillery in a more suitable position. During the course of the second day General Longstreet also warned Lee not to attack, but to take up a defensive station amongst a more favorable position. Lee however chose not to follow his lieutenants’ advice and commenced to an ill conceived attack on the Union left flank. This proved to be very costly for him. Lee did however, order one of his generals to capture cemetery hill, but his orders were not followed for fear of being overwhelmed by Union forces. This botched order is considered to be one of the