General Robert E. Lee's Thinking Behind Pickett's Charge

The Battle of Gettysburg is often depicted as a strategic blunder due to Pickett's Charge, a pivotal yet controversial Pickett's Charge. However, these events hold a deeper understanding of General Robert E. Lee's tactical mind and his strategic calculus. This article aims to shed light on what Lee was thinking and the logic behind his decision to order Pickett's Charge.

The Strategic Doctrine and Lee's Mindset

Understanding the battles around Gettysburg involves grasping the tactical doctrines applied during the Civil War. According to Troy Harman's "Lee's Real Plan at Gettysburg", Lee's approach to the Union lines reflected a well-established and long-practiced tactical doctrine. This doctrine taught that any exposure in the rear of an enemy line was a significant weak point. Lee saw the Union lines as a fishhook, with Confederate forces positioned both at the front and the flanks. The strategic objective was to attack this exposed position with multiple converging columns to exert maximum pressure and achieve decisive victory.

Pickett's Charge: A Well-Thought-Out Plan?

Pickett's Charge was not a spontaneous decision but a well-planned maneuver guided by Lee's understanding of tactical theory. On July 3, 1863, Lee had successfully pushed back the Union right flank on the second day, breaching a critical portion of the Union lines. Recognizing this, Lee aimed to replicate the success on the third day by converging his forces. However, several factors led to the charge being less effective:

Tactical Doctrine in Action

Converging Forces: Lee intended to attack the Union center from multiple directions to isolate and overwhelm it. This strategy was familiar to him from his days at West Point and his study of the military tactics employed by Count John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. Surprise and Speed: By attacking swiftly and simultaneously from different directions, the effectiveness of the Union artillery could be minimized, and the defenders would be spread thin.

Longstreet's Influence and Execution

Despite the strategic backing, the execution faced significant challenges. During the second day, Lee had indeed tried a similar converging strategy but it was thwarted due to a lack of support. On the third day, the plan was to have Lee's left flank attack the Union right, while the right flank advanced in echelon, minimizing exposure to Union artillery. Lee was convinced to commit six divisions, but due to inexplicable reasons, Longstreet sent only two divisions—Pickett's and Trimble's—into the charge. This had catastrophic consequences, with only one-sixth of the originally planned force reaching the Union lines.

The Outcome and Legacy

The Pickett's Charge stands as a symbol of both Lee's strategic vision and the unforeseen challenges of battlefield execution. While the charge itself failed, it was a coherent attempt to exploit the Union's exposed position. The Battle of Gettysburg ultimately ended in a Confederate withdrawal, and the charge's failure had long-lasting implications for both Union and Confederate forces.

Reflections and Conclusion

Lee's decision to order Pickett's Charge was a demonstration of his tactical genius and his application of established doctrines. Despite its immediate failure, Lee's strategy can be seen as a well-reasoned effort to secure a crucial victory at Gettysburg. The charge's legacy continues to be a subject of intense discussion and study, reflecting the complexities of military strategy and the unforeseen realities of battle.