@davidpitchford6510
Ron your fascination with these letters is infectious and your presentations are so well organized and delivered. THANKS!
@williambush1975
Any insight from Lee personally is worth it's weight in gold because they are so rare, thank you.
@davidfolts5893
The fog of war is easy to see through with the benefit of hindsight, but the present self must make decisions in real time.
@tomgooch1422
Another first-hand interview of a key player I'd not seen before! Thank you.
@wesleyholmes8645
Thanks for this very informative episode. Regarding Jeb Stuart's reconnaissance failure, I often think of the difficulties in ascertaining troop movements in forested areas or at substantial distances without the luxury of aerial view technology. They had observation balloons, but I assume their range was pretty darn limited, and I’m not sure of their maximum altitude. The sight of a large balloon would also be an obvious, “Here we are!” signal. At Gettysburg, Shiloh, and innumerable battles, I marvel at how those in Civil War command positions accomplished what they did in pre-planning and amid a battle’s smoky chaos with limited information and resources.
@etoconne
Thanks!
@tcarroll3954
Great job, as always. Thank you!
@JoeCoffee-x9l
Great job Ron! I think it's very interesting that Lee thought it might have gone better if Jackson had been there instead of Ewell and how disappointed he was Jeb Stewart.
@larryyoung5757
These insights into Lee’s mind are fascinating.
@NormsJeanMorrissey
Ron, thanks for sharing your vast knowledge/information with us students of the War. My interest began with the sick and wounded and doctors of each army esp. Dr. Letterman (my idol) As a nurse you can understand my interest. As I studied I became intrigued with all aspects of the war and its people! Thanks❤
@JamesTheCivilWarGuy
Loved the letters and insights from lee.
@frankfowlkes7872
Great video. Very inciteful.
@j44881
This stuff is gold! Thank you
@mirrorblue100
Lee attacked a very strong Union position. The defense almost always has a tactical advantage over attackers - since they choose what hill to fight on - moreover - this was an era in which the doctrine of linear attack - which would have been familiar to Wellington and Napoleon - had not caught up with the increased lethality of massed rifled muskets. The Union also had immense logistical advantages throughout that war.
@davidrobertson3466
Lee blamed everyone but himself. He didn't have to fight at Gettysburg. Longstreet tried to convince him of that but Lee chose to go into battle without a full understanding of what he was up against. He alone is to blame for that.
@jim-x3g7k
Wow. Good find!
@cleanwillie1307
Throughout most of the war Lee had the advantage of fighting from defensive positions and interior lines. At Gettysburg we have an example where he was forced to fight the offensive against a strong position and the result is less than spectacular.
@mhutchins27
You’re the best Ron! Great story. I really pray we will see a movie like Gettysburg made highlighting the overland campaign and ending shortly after Appomattox. Maybe flash between what Grant and Meade have going on up north to Shermans march down south. Then I could give Gettysburg a rest and have something else to watch.
@JustinRahn-q6d
I think many underestimate the negative effect Jefferson Davis's meddling had on Confederate military operations. He fancied himself to be quite the military genius when in fact he was not.
@ssazerac