The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-01
WHY THE CONFEDERATES ]
FAILED AT GETTYSBURG
Winning Essay Awarded Prize by Orange County Chap
ter, U. D. c., Written by Miss Martha D.
Graves, of Gordonsvlle High School,

occupied the Cemetery Ridge, much
abetter position for the second days
conflict. The result was on Thursday
morning this entire ridge was held and
in a manner fortified by the Northern
army
lin the next place, IL Lee was de-
termined to attack the entrcnched
lamp OF the enemy--a measure IN
which he was partially justified by the
former success OF his men and tho
necessity CT the occa sion--he should
nave commenced operations as soon as
possible in the morning Instead OF
which. he waited until 2:30 p. NJ. or
later. and the F'ederals spent the in
terveninB time in building breast
works, which were doubly effective on
account OF the height Of the hills We
have no doubt that he had good rca-
sons for his delay Possibly he was
waiting for Stewart to arrive; as ne
may have given up his advantages the
day before on account OF the absence
OF Longstreet. Whatever advantages
General Lee may have obtained by ar
rangement OF forces consultations. etc.
he could not expect 10 gain anything
by building dcfcnses. IS the invader
and aggressor he could not refuse
battle after the engagement OF We'd
nesday. He was compelled 10 make
the attack and storm the defenses that
the Federals were hourly making
stronger ard that were to save so many
lives for those who occupied them
while they poured out death and de-
s,ruction upon the unprotected attack
ing party. SO close was the contest
and so destructive was the fire Nof the
defenses or different kinds, that it is
not possible that one reconstructed
rock fence decided the fate of this
battle. The attack was admirably
planned The strategic point desired
was Little Round Top. unoccupied at
r. NJ, when the general assault was
made; but before Aongstreet could
overcome the Intervening resistance
the Importance of this elevated and
rocky hill had been observed by Chief
Engineer Warren. and he. on his own
authority, had seen that ii was occu-
pied by sufficient force 10 hold ii
against the fierce attacks OF the
Texans. The natural defenses of this
point and the artificial as we'll as
natural ones Of the remainder of Gene
terry Ridge, made the heroic efforts OF
the Confederatcs in Vain--the attack
had been too late. Two hours-per-
haps brief half-hour earler-this
commanding position might have been
obtained By the Eonfederates with
very it'll. difficulty: they would then
nave lne WING CUT III tWO the f1ank
turned ana the battle won.
The greatest cause. in my mind. of
the failure OF General Lee at the battle
of Gettysburg was the absence OF Cen
eral Jackson. General Lee had learned
TO rely on him. and as he had just lost
him at the last great battle OF Chan
cellorsville he had not learned TO do
without him. as he did later. Jack
son had been AS his left hand in his
great battles; ne knew what he could
do and how nc would do il. and. there
fore. could count much actual
performance II is no reflection on
General Ewell, his successor, or any one
OF his other able generals. to say that
If Stonewall Jackson had been in com
mand of his part OF the army at the
battle OF Gettysburg the results would
have been different. At the same time
viii say that If several battles had
been fought since the death OF Jack
son, and Lee had learned TO do without
him and TO rely more on Hill. Long
street and Eweil, | believe the results
would have been different. IT was like
the loss OF finger. which makes the
use of the hand awkward until the
owner becomes accustomed to it. 1t
is more than probable that if jackson
morning, there would not have been
such an extended line of battle. which
] consider another cause of failure
The Confederates line was nearly five
miles long, while the Federal one was
only about three. Worse than that. II
extended around the fish hook like
range of hills occupied by the Federals.
and therefore a good portion OF our end
could not be seen ~, the other end