Seasonal Gettysburg National Military Park ranger Lt. Col. (ret.) Chuck Teague will be the featured speaker at the Wednesday, January 21, 2009, monthly meeting of the York Civil War Round Table. The meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. as usual in the auditorium of the York County Heritage Trust, 250 E. Market Street, York, Pennsylvania.
Admission and parking are both FREE, and the public is welcome!
Image from U.S. postage stamp of Robert E. Lee.
Dr. Teague will present a PowerPoint presentation entitled "The Shadow of Napoleon on Lee at Gettysburg," a study of how Lee's classical training in Napoleonic military techniques may have influenced his decision making during the critical stages of the July 1863 Battle of Gettysburg.
The Shadow of Napoleon on Lee at Gettysburg
Why did Robert E. Lee fight the battle of Gettysburg the way he did?
On what basis did Lee conclude after the defeat that his plan had been a good one?
Much insight can be gained in appreciating that of all army commanders, no one so sought to fight as did Napoleon Bonaparte. Chuck Teague will explore the Napoleonic axioms of battle to postulate why the Gray Fox pursued the fight in the way he did.
Why did he dismiss Longstreet's idea?
Why did he insist upon attacking?
Why was Cemetery Hill so important?
What were his expectations for July 3?
Napoleon endeavored to fight decisive battles and did so with astonishing success. Dr. Teague, a retired lieutenant colonel and now a seasonal Ranger at Gettysburg National Military Park, returns to our York Civil War Round Table to present the thesis that, based upon Napoleonic principles, Lee really thought he could ruin the Army of the Potomac. Yet, by holding to those dictates, did Lee unwittingly undermine his chances? And in what crucial ways did Lee apparently ignore the lessons of Bonaparte?
You may never again think of Gettysburg in quite the same light when you become aware of the lingering shadow of Napoleon.
Logo for the York Civil War Round Table created, designed, and donated by artist Jared Frederick. Visit his "History Matters" website.
I'm confused Tuesday Jan 21st ?????
My calendar says that Jan 21st is a WEDNESDAY ???
I corrected the mistake. The 21st is the correct date (Wednesday, of course).
Thanks Don!!!!