Gettysburg Staff Ride Briefing Book

Contains more than 20 maps, diagrams and illustrations If neither General Meade nor General Lee planned to fight at Gettysburg, how did it happen that the first three days of July 1863 were to become arguably the most important span in the Civil War? That question cannot be fully answered without viewing McPherson's Ridge or Oak Hill, nor can one really understand the urgency of Chamberlain's bayonet charge nor the audacity of Pickett's division at the Angle without visiting those places. Accordingly, the purpose of a Gettysburg staff ride is to visit these and other locations on the battlefield and analyze the battle through the eyes of the men who were there, both leaders and rank and file soldiers. Hopefully, by understanding the actions, inactions and reactions of commanders and their troops in real situations we may gain insights into the human condition under stress and decision making during combat.

This edition of the staff ride has been edited for improved readability to include better map resolutions, period photos and a clarified set of battle orders.The first three days of July 1863 were to become arguably the most important span in the Civil War. The purpose of this Gettysburg staff ride is to visit battlefield locations and analyze the battle through the eyes of the men who were there, both leaders and rank and file soldiers. Hopefully, by understanding the actions, inactions and reactions of commanders and their troops in real situations, one may gain insights into the human condition under stress and decision making during combat.

Contains more than 20 maps, diagrams and illustrations Although "Fighting Joe" Hooker skillfully executes a well-conceived plan and out-flanks his adversary, months of offensive planning are shelved as he suddenly orders his army on the defensive. Lee seizes the initiative and achieves what has often been called his most brilliant victory. How could this happen when Hooker's army outnumbers that of Lee 2 to 1 and is far superior in artillery and logistics? Answers to these and other questions concerning leadership, communications, use of terrain, and the psychology of men in battle, are often found by personal reconnaissance of the battlefield. This book offers a staff ride briefing of Chancellorsville. Since 1906 staff rides have been used to in the education of U.S. Army officers to narrow the gap between peacetime training and war.

Contains more than 20 maps, diagrams and illustrations The movement and details of the Union offensive plan at Fredericksburg seemed to be understood by all senior commanders; the North had a preponderance of manpower and artillery; a bridgehead was established on the enemy side of the river and initial objectives secured. Why did Burnside decide to withdraw his army back across the river to its original position? That question cannot be answered without viewing the pontoon crossing sites, the Union approach routes, the infamous "stonewall," and the other Confederate defensive positions. Accordingly, the purpose of a Fredericksburg staff ride is to visit these and other locations on the battlefield and analyze the battle through the eyes of the men who were there, both leaders and rank and file soldiers.

What went wrong? The movement and details of the Union offensive plan at Fredericksburg seemed to be understood by all senior commanders; the Union force had a preponderance of manpower and artillery; a bridgehead was established on the enemy side of the river and initial objectives secured. Then why did the Union commander decide to withdraw his army back across the river to its original position? That question cannot be fully answered without viewing the pontoon crossing sites, the Union approach routes, the infamous "stonewall," and the other Confederate defensive positions. Accordingly, the purpose of a Fredericksburg staff ride is to visit these and other locations on the battlefield and analyze the battle through the eyes of the men who were there, both leaders and rank and file soldiers. Hopefully, by understanding the actions, inactions, and reactions of commanders and their troops in real situations we may gain insights into the human condition under stress and decision making during combat. The staff ride is a training method which commanders can use for the professional development of their subordinates and to enliven the unit's esprit de corps - constant objectives of all commanders in peacetime. Includes maps, orders of battle, illustrations and appendices. (Facsimile reprint originally published by the Army's Center for Military History; typography less dark than the original)