Robert E. Lee as Operational Artist During the American Civil War
Abstract
General Robert E. Lee is one of the most recognized leaders of the American Civil War. He led the Army of Northern Virginia during the pivotal months that separated the summers of 1862 and 1863. During this period the Confederacy achieved major tactical victories at Second Manassas and Chancellorsville that had strategic impacts. Both of these engagements occurred in the South where Lee enjoyed the advantages of knowledge of the terrain, interior lines of communication and popular support of the people. However, it was also during this time period that Lee and the leaders of the Confederacy chose to forfeit these advantages and purse offensive campaigns that carried the Army of Northern Virginia north for engagements at Antietam and Gettysburg. Both of these engagements, seen by many as tactical defeats, significantly strained the South's logistics capabilities, had negative impacts on troop morale, and were counter to the strategic aims of the Confederacy. They were examples of operational art executed poorly.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 21, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA603001
Entities
People
- Andre M. Ingram
Organizations
- Marine Corps University