General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: 153 years ago today the U.S. smashed the Rebel traitors at Gettysburg [View all]1939
(1,683 posts)But Sheridan did that at Missionary Ridge and broke the Confederate line.
The problem with the attack on Cemetery Ridge (which wasn't a mountain by any stretch of the imagination) was that eleven brigades were supposed to make the attack (only three of which were Picketts) and only four really made an impact at the top as the others were waylaid in one way or another.
Lee didn't really think through the organization of the attack. He assigned Isaac Trimble to command Pender's division in place of the wounded Pender. Trimble arrived just as the division was stepping off in support of Pettigrew. Trimble didn't have time to get the two brigades organized or even to let all of the commanders know that he was in charge.
Like I said in another thread, a very high precetage of the confederate general officers on the field had a collective brain fart on those three days.