the battlefield. And he was convinced that if permitted to advance "his command could reach the point indicated by Gen. Lee in half an hour." (Fitz Lee's Life of Lee, p. 279.)[1]
Major Steele tells us the location of Meade's five corps at 7 A. M. the morning of July 2d. It appears that the First and Eleventh corps were on Cemetery Hill; Wadsworth's division on Culp's Hill; the Twelfth corps on the right of Wadsworth; the Second corps to the left of the Eleventh on Cemetery Ridge. "The Third corps was placed so as to prolong the line to the Round Top on the left." Thus there was only one corps, the Third, on Meades' left, to, oppose Longstreet's advance had it been promptly made. Buford's cavalry division, which had been posted near Round Top, had been ordered away, and so the left of the line was left uncovered. What a magnificent opportunity was thus offered to the Confederates, had Longstreet heartily co-operated with Lee in his purpose to make the attack at an early hour on the 2d! Gen. E. P. Alexander tells us that Longstreet was not ordered to attack until 11 A. M, This, although not intended to be such, is a misleading statement. Lee was not in the habit of giving written orders to his Lieutenant-Generals. He plainly indicated to Longstreet, as the testimony overwhelmingly shows, that the attack should be made on the left as early
- ↑ Note. General Long tells us of a conversation he held with General Lee in the evening of July 1st, in which he said to General Lee, "In my opinion it would be best not to wait for Stuart. It is uncertain where he is, or when he will arrive. At present only two or three corps of the enemy's army are up, and it seems best to attack them before they can be greatly strengthened by reinforcements. The cavalry had better be left to take care of itself." Memoirs of R. E. Lee, p. 278.
Hood says he was in front of the heights of Gettysburg soon after daybreak. General Lee was then walking up and down. "He seemed anxious that Longstreet should attack," says Hood. Longstreet said, seating himself near the trunk of a tree by his side. "The General is a little nervous this morning. He wishes we to attack. I do not want to do so without Pickett. I never like to go into battle with one boot off," Fitz Lee's Life of Lee, p. 279.
McLaws says he was ordered to leave camp at 4 A. M., afterward changed to sunrise; reached G. very early, halted head of his column a few hundred yards of Lee. Conference between L. and Lee, former appeared irritated and angered. Believed he could reach point indicated by Lee in half hour. Saw the enemy coming hour after hour, on to the battlefield. Wilcox went into line on Anderson's right at 9, 7 seven hours after in same woods McLaws formed.—Id. p. 279.
