Waterloo And Gettysburg: A Campaign Comparison by Lieutenant-Colonel George E. Teague

Author:Lieutenant-Colonel George E. Teague [Teague, Lieutenant-Colonel George E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, United States, Civil War Period (1850-1877), Military, Modern, 19th Century
ISBN: 9781782896371
Google: jhZvCwAAQBAJ
Publisher: Pickle Partners Publishing
Published: 2014-08-15T05:03:31+00:00

FIGURE 3. THE BATTLE AT GETTYSBURG{43}

Reproduced by permission of Abbeville Press, Inc. ©Guinness Publishing Ltd., 1992.

CAMPAIGN COMPARISON

THE STRATEGIC SETTING

Although France and the Confederacy had gone to war for different reasons, their armies launched these particular campaigns for several very similar reasons. After 22 years of near-constant fighting, the people of France were weary of war. Napoleon knew that they would not tolerate another war on their soil so soon after the successful invasion by the Allies in 1814. Further, since Belgium had until recently been a part of the French Empire and contained many sympathizers, he believed that once the English and Prussians were driven out the country would side with him, providing valuable military and financial support. Finally, he believed that a decisive victory over the British-led Anglo-Dutch army would weaken support for the war in England, reducing their financial aid and perhaps leading to a change of Ministry and withdrawal from the Alliance.

The motives of Confederate President Jefferson Davis and General Lee were remarkably similar to those of Napoleon. After two years of fighting, the people of the South, and particularly those in Virginia, were beginning to suffer from the devastating effects of the war and Davis knew he needed to do something to lift their spirits. Resources to support the army were diminishing, particularly food and clothing, and Lee felt his army could live off the fertile lands of Maryland and Pennsylvania. Further, by demonstrating an ability to strike at the heartland of the North, he and Davis hoped that Britain and France might be encouraged to recognize the South and possibly to offer financial and/or military support. Finally, they believed that Confederate victories in the North would threaten Washington and might force Lincoln to negotiate a peace settlement. Even if Lincoln refused to negotiate under these conditions, the Confederate leadership felt that their success in the North would weaken public support for the war and possibly lead to Lincoln’s defeat by a pro-peace candidate in the 1864 election.

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