Dear Bernard, I eagerly await you new novel. After reading all of yours, I read all of John Sandford's and now need more fodder. I attended and competed in the Nationals of the North South skirmish association last weekend. One of the divisions of the competition was the firing of cannons. The Parrot rifles were incredibly accurate, their cannon balls cutting into the same hole time after time. The range of the Parrot rifles was something in access of two miles, with the British built Whitworth gun it was even longer range. My question is why didn't Robert E. Lee see the danger to Picketts division and the other units of Pickett's Charge on Day 3 of Gettysburg? A mile and 1/2 of open ground to cover to come to grips with Hancocks command should have seemed like a suicidal proposition to a rational mind. Your thoughts on Marsh Roberts decision- making process on 2,3 July 1863?
Bob Long
I suspect only Robert E Lee can answer your question! But . . . .I assume he felt the attack was necessary, he doubtless hoped his own artillery would neutralise the northern guns, and I wonder whether, in the heat of battle, the artillery was as accurate as it is in competition? They're firing through a vast veil of smoke, the ammunition is probably not the finest, the guns are worn, they're under fire themselves and assailed by all the chaos and confusion of battle. Hindsight tells us it was a mistake, but my guess is necessity drove the decision because the devil was in the driving seat!