USA HISTORY

AMERICAN CIVIL WAR(1861 1865)

GETTYSBURG ADDRESS

[SOURCES]
Why was General Lee unable to launch another attack against the North?

(A) The North’s army was too strong

(B) He was tired

(C) ** The South had lost too many soldiers in the Battle of Gettysburg

EXPLANATIONS BELOW

Concept note-1: -The traditional explanation, favored in particular by Lee admirers, is that his underling, Gen. James Longstreet, failed to properly execute Lee’s orders and marched his men sideways while Union forces massed to repel a major Confederate assault.

Concept note-2: -The two reasons that are most widely accepted as determining the outcome of the battle are the Union’s tactical advantage (due to the occupation of the high ground) and the absence of J.E.B. Stuart’s Confederate cavalry on the first day of fighting.

Concept note-3: -Because of his reputation as one of the finest officers in the United States Army, Abraham Lincoln offered Lee the command of the Federal forces in April 1861. Lee declined and tendered his resignation from the army when the state of Virginia seceded on April 17, arguing that he could not fight against his own people.