Lincoln Discussion Symposium

Is it true the Confederates chose Gettysburg as a location because of it's supply of boots? Or the fact that it had many roads converging there? Or both?

Maddie -

Here is the more logical reason of "Why Gettysburg"....and yes there were shoes, and other goods available there -

"After the sound thrashing he delivered to the Yankees at Chancellorsville in May, Lee believed the time was right for another invasion of the North. Screened by the mountains to his east, Lee began moving north through the Shenandoah Valley in June, 1863. Shown here, the Valley Turnpike was one of Lee's primary roads north. Lee expected his move north would draw the Army of the Potomac out of Virginia and give southern farmers some relief from two years of war. He also expected to collect supplies from the abundance of the Pennsylvania countryside, and a battle victory on northern soil might still convince a European nation to aide the South. There was even talk of recruiting thousands of Pennsylvania horses to the cause of the Confederacy!"

From: http://explorepahistory.com/displayimage...yId=1-9-12

In the back of my mind, I remember something about a shoe factory near Gettysburg? Wild Bill, where are you? The Battle of Gettysburg is your specialty.

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(10-13-2015 03:04 PM)L Verge Wrote: [ -> ]In the back of my mind, I remember something about a shoe factory near Gettysburg? Wild Bill, where are you? The Battle of Gettysburg is your specialty.

I just proved myself wrong. See http://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/Shoe...tart_entry

Make sure you read the part about Jubal Early coming up short on shoes in Gettysburg a while before the battle.

I don't know about factories, but there are several shoe stores at the Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg

http://www.theoutletshoppesatgettysburg....ctory-map/

I'm not sure about the shoe factory, it was an early rationale among writers of the battle, but both times the Confederates went through Gettysburg, Early on June 26 and Heth on July 1, they tried to requisition shoes. The town pleaded poverty to Early and allowed him to plunder through local dry goods stores and Heth was sidetracked by the battle itself, although Early had pretty much sacked everything already. Gettysburg was a road junction (at least 12 roads converged there) and both sides expected to find the other there. Coddington, The Gettysburg Campaign

If I remember correctly, Lees objective was to get north of Washington DC and turn south toward the city. Some say Lee wanted to take Harrisburg and his foray into Pennsylvania certainly put Governor Curtin into panic. Gettysburg was a transportation hub with many roads through the town. Regardless of Lee's destination, he would have to travel through the town.

Remember, Lee did not have his cavalry screening his movement or acting as his "eyes and ears". The cavalry had very vague orders from Lee and acted very independently during that campaign up until their arrival at Gettysburg.

Lee's problem with cavalry is commonplace in the Civil War on both sides. He had 3 brigades of cavalry that he basically lost track of, still guarding passes into the Shenandoah. Another was correctly up with early in the army's advance. He made the same mistake when he tried to cut off McClellan in front of Richmond in 1862. He sent Stuart and the horsemen to burn out the US supply hub at White House Landing when McClellan had already transferred most of operations south to Harrison's Landing on the James. What Lee was missing at Gettysburg was pointed out by John Mosby in the 1880s--he missed Stuart personally to direct the cavalry, something Lee did not usually do, in spite of his mounted service in Texas before the war.

The rest of Jim's statement I agree with. Lee was maneuvering to come in on Washington from the northwest, with options of hitting Harrisburg or Baltimore instead. On July 1, both sides were looking for a fight, unaware of where the other really was. The Yankees were fortunate that they had their two best men in the right spot (the crossroads of Gettysburg) at the right time (July 1). The cavalry was led by John Buford, an expert at holding back Confederate attacks. The other was John Reynolds, a no-nonsense fighter, who led some of the best Union infantry available. Their defense upset the Confederates, who expected more inexperienced Pennsylvania militia.The rest of the battle has kept historians busy criticising both Lee and Meade and their subordinates ever since.

I remember reading about the "boots" explanation first from author Bruce Catton. As mentioned, many others have also cited it. It makes for a good story- wven if not really the whole story. Thanks Bill and Jim for your comments.