Lee at Gettysburg
David.Bosse@um.cc.umich.edu
Fri, 8 Apr 1994 12:24:37 ECT
I have read the messages regarding Longstreet, Lee, and Confederate
strategy/tactics at Gettysburg with great interest. I freely admit
that I am not a student of the battle, but am familiar with some of
the literature, both contemporary and modern. One of the things that
intrigues me is Lee's physical condition at Gettysburg. According to
William Blackford, an officer on JEB Stuart's staff, on the evening
of July 2nd Lee was incapacitated by diarrhea. Obviously command
decisions throughout the war were made under adverse conditions of
various sorts, but this seems to be a factor largely overlooked in
the context of that engagement. Is anyone aware of any discussion of
this, or has the Cult of Lee obliterated such an indelicate topic?
David Bosse
Clements Library, U. of MI
David.Bosse@um.cc.umich.edu