It seems probable to me that this does not reflect inadequacy on Lee's
part, as much as faith in his analysis of his opponent. Had he faced
anyone other than McClellan, I doubt he would have acted similarly.
As I recall, Freeman and others have suggested that Lee was surprised
when McClellan began acting with such uncharacteristic alacrity in
bringing his army to bear. Of course, the lost orders were behind that.
Lee's strategy, strange indeed in any other context, must be seen in
the context of McClellan's command of the Union Army.
TOM POWERS
TPOWERS@UNIVSCVM (BITNET)
TPOWERS@UNIVSCVM.CSD.SCAROLINA.EDU
TPOWERS@USCSUMTER.USCSU.SCAROLINA.EDU
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT SUMTER