The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-08
~ permission OF the New York HERALD.

les9 charge: thai he regretted that he
had not taken The advice Of LOngstf Get.
that ne was unwilling TO take the re-
sponsibility for the critical movements of
his forces, and that he failed TO issue
the orders needed to make the sunrise
attack on the second day successful.
Taking up this last point first, Long
street tries TO explain why when ordered
20 attack with his whole force at sun
rise ne did not get into action until 4
o'clock ia the afternoon Meade was not
eager for battle. Lee vas As late as 3
L. NJ, on the I'd. and before he was at
tackled. Meade telegraphed in cipher to
Halleck that Il the enemy did not at
tack. and he finds it hazardous TO do
so. or is satisfied that the enemy is en-
deavoring TO move to my rear, and inter
pose between ne and Washington.
shall fan back TO my supplies at West
minister.
LEES DESIRE TO FIGHT.
Lee. impressed with the idea Of whip
ping his opponent in detail. on the other
hand, was eager for the contest next
day and so was his confident enemy
lie was under no obligation 10 any one,
as LOugstrect afiirms, 10 fight q defen-
sive battle he sought the enemys soil TO
gain a victory. and his objective point
was the Army Of the Potomac. He knew
the Union Army had not been conce ntrat-
ed, and was anxious 10 attack before IL
could. lie had already talked with Long
street on Seminary Ridge on the after
noon Of July list. and attempted TO inn
press him with the importance Of an
early attack next day. and later that
night saw him again
The Confederate commander was an..
ious at first that Ewcll and hin should
I4pin no IQffl4
sive that Longstreet might not get into
position as soon as conditions demanded.
but finally yielded 10 the opinion express
ed that LOngstrect should commence the
battle by a forward movement on HIS
right, seize the commanding positions on
the enemys left land envelope the flank
of the troops in front Of the other two
corps
Lee left the conference, Early states.
with the distinct understanding that
Longstreot would be ordered 20 make the
attack early next morning General w
y. PendlctOn. his chief of artillery, has
put on record that Lee told him that
night that ne had ordered General Long
street TO attack on the flank at sunrise
next morn ne. HIN. In HIS official report
says; General LOngstfcct was 10 at
tack the flank Of the enemy and sweep
down his line" And General Long. Of
Lees stan, writes that orders were is
sued for the movement 10 begin on the
lcit early as practicable. Lees plan OF
battle was simple His purpose was to
turn the cnemy's left flank with his First
Corps and after the work began there
10 demonstrate against his lines with the
other two In order to prevent the threat
ened flank from being reinforced. these
demonstrations to be converted into a
real attack as the Ranking wave of bat
Tie rolled over the troops I'm their front
THE FATAL MORNING DELAY.
when Lee went 20 sleep that night ne
was convinced that his dispositions for
battle next day were understood by tho
corps commanders. TO ne had impaired
them 10 each one IN person. on Ne
morning Of July "a. Lee was up before
light, broakfasted. and was ready FOR the
fray, but his chariot OF war was hardly
started before he found his corps team
were not pulling together; the wheel
horse selected 10 start it was balky and
stubborn. We hear from General Long
street that on the evening Of the Ist he
was trying to induce Lee not TO attack
but manoenvre. and the "a he 'wemt TO
General Lees headquarters at daylight
and renewed my views against matin,.
an attack II was clearly the duty Of
Longstreet to carry out his commanders
views. ana not lapse into refractoriness
He had plan OF battle in his hoad
which Lee rejected. and Longstrcet suik-
cd"
LoNGsTREETs PLAN OF BATTLE.
This plan was 10 move around be-
tween Meade and Washington and cut
the Union line OF communication. Lee
might possibly have moved toward Fred
erick on the "a. and thus forced Meade
to fall back 10 Westminster. but he could
rot hope to reach Baltimore or Washing