Preview

Robert E Lee Mission Command Analysis

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1455 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Robert E Lee Mission Command Analysis
Although Robert E. Lee, Commanding General of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, was on the losing side of the Civil War, people still recognize him as a war hero due to his successful battlefield tactics and maneuvering. Midway through the war, Gen. Lee had so much success out-maneuvering Union forces that it seemed as though the Confederates would win. However, in July of 1863, Union forces defeated the Army of Northern Virginia at the Battle of Gettysburg causing a pivotal moment in the course of the war. Analyzing Gen. Lee’s failure at the Battle of Gettysburg through the principles of Mission Command will help determine why he was unsuccessful. Today, the principles of Mission Command are the standard by which military leaders …show more content…
Lee failed to execute mission command by ignoring risk on day three of the Battle of Gettysburg when he ordered Longstreet to conduct a full frontal assault on the center of the Union defensive line. According to ADRP 6-0, effective mission command utilizes the acceptance of prudent risk when making decisions because there is a degree of uncertainty in all military operations. However, Longstreet believed Lee gambled rather than carefully calculating the risk and using measures to mitigate it. Also in ADRP 6-0, gambling “is staking the success of an entire action on a single event without considering the hazard to the force should the event not unfold as envisioned.” Longstreet advised Gen. Lee on the inherent danger of attacking the enemy dug into defensive positions, but Gen. Lee insisted they attack anyway (Achenbach 2013). Years after the war Longstreet revealed, “Lee knew that I did not believe that success was possible; that care and time should be taken to give the troops the benefit of positions and the grounds…” (Achenbach, 2013). The frontal assault became known as “Picket’s Charge” (Golden, 2012). It was named after one of Longstreet’s Division Commanders: Brigadier General Pickett, who was ordered to attack to fulfill Gen. Lee’s order. The charge resulted in half of the BG Picket’s 13,000 men killed, wounded or captured (Achenbach, 2013). After realizing his disastrous mistake he said, “I am becoming more and more incapable of exertion, and am thus prevented from making the personal examinations and giving the personal supervision to the operations in the field which I feel to be necessary… I am so dull in making use of the eyes of others I am frequently misled” (Achenbach, 2013). Had Gen. Lee calculated the risk Longstreet was so adamant about, he might have decided to attack elsewhere or possibly even retrograde his
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Why Was Vicksburg A Turning Point
    • 714 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Why Was Vicksburg A Turning Point

    Grant’s leadership tactics and battle strategies were not only adequate, but they were remarkable. At first, Lincoln disagreed with Grant’s plan to siege Vicksburg. Even though Lincoln did not agree with Grant’s plan, Grant continued because he thought he knew best and did what he thought would win the North Vicksburg. Grant’s plan was to surround Vicksburg and cut of all supplies. While doing this, they would continuously move in closer and closer and keep firing on the city. “...Vicksburg is so strong by nature and so well fortified that sufficient force cannot be brought to bear against it to carry it by storm against the present Garrison. It must be taken by a regular siege or by starving out the Garrison.” (Grant, 1). This six week siege proved to be effective when Vicksburg surrendered and Grant and the Union won the…

    • 714 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Omaha Beach: A Flawed Victory Analysis
    • 169 Words
    • 1 Page

    Omaha Beach: A Flawed Victory Analysis

    As written in Adrian R. Lewis’s Omaha Beach: A Flawed Victory, the success of any victory can be accredited to all participants, but especially those who performed a role of leadership. World War II crafted many distinguished leaders who heavily assisted in the success…

    • 169 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Battle Analysis: Hamburger Hill
    • 1815 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Battle Analysis: Hamburger Hill

    As one of the most famous battles of Vietnam, the battle of Dong Ap Bia provides a useful case study for the concept of mission command. Infamously known as Hamburger Hill, the high casualties and subsequent abandonment of the mountain caused critics to question the decision of military leaders. As with many battles in Vietnam, the commander, LTC Honeycutt, contended with the enemy while attempting to exert control with incomplete information in jungle-covered mountains. Although he was generally successful in fulfilling the six imperatives of mission command, it does not prove decisive to the U.S. Army’s ultimate victory. LTC Honeycutt’s approach to mission command is both lean and blunt, focused on success in combat.…

    • 1815 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Spotsylvania Courthouse Essay
    • 640 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Spotsylvania Courthouse Essay

    Fortunately for Stuart and Fitz Lee, help was near at hand. General Richard Anderson, now in command of James Longstreet’s first corps, had marched for Spotsylvania over night and by morning of May 8, his troops were nearing Laurel Hill. Believing Spotsylvania to be within his grasp, Union Maj. Gen. Gouveneur K. Warren advanced his fifth corps up Laurel where they found Maj. Gen. Richard Anderson and Longstreet’s corps opposing them. Warren’s attempts to drive the Conf. back failed and the opposing sides began to settle.…

    • 640 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Operation Husky Essay
    • 1350 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Operation Husky Essay

    The Commander is the central figure in mission command and must blend the art of command and the science of control to integrate all joint warfighting functions. The Command and Control demonstrated during Operation Husky by Allied Forces failed to successfully meet the three key attributes of mission command and demonstrated numerous weaknesses integrating the joint force. Although Operation Husky was a victory for Allied forces, supporting paragraphs will provide examples of miscues that could have been detrimental to success; with subsequent paragraphs highlighting the integration of additional joint functions; fires and intelligence, during the operational level of Operation Husky.…

    • 1350 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Horseshoe Bend Case Study Essay
    • 578 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Horseshoe Bend Case Study Essay

    My goal is to be a leader that influence Soldiers to have the initiative to better themselves. The factor of leadership, the existence or lack of was key on the US forces victory over the Creeks. General Jackson knew the doctrine that would work on each instance of the battle. General Jackson’s actions to split the command and place General Coffee and friendly Cherokees and Creeks on the south to the toe of the peninsula was the element of surprise that the Red Sticks were not able to handle. Just as the Cherokees, I want my Soldiers to have the initiative to excel at work without me micromanaging the shop. The Red Sticks placed themselves behind the barricade and focused on defending the land to the north and once distracted by General Coffee’s forces in the rear, the US forces main effort was able to advance and attack. Certainly, General Jackson demonstrated his superior leadership, whereas, Menawa revealed weakness by not changing his defensive operation. I want to develop General Jackson’s leadership trait to instigate initiative on my Soldiers.…

    • 578 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Compare And Contrast Ulysses S. Grant And Robert E Lee
    • 1101 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Compare And Contrast Ulysses S. Grant And Robert E Lee

    As the head of the confederate forces, Robert E. Lee was tactful. At the battle of Mechanicsville, Robert E. Lee realized that he had Union General McClellan on the defensive. Lee decided to chase down McClellan, since he had the advantage, but he was not able to defeat him. Even though Lee was not able to beat McClellan, his quick decision had saved Richmond, ending McClellan’s campaign on the peninsula. (Rice 107) As a tactician, a person who used plans to achieve something in a short amount of time, Robert E. Lee was certainly one of the best. Having little time to decide whether or not to pursue McClellan’s fleeing army, Lee thought over all the possibilities of such and an attack. Lee took the chance to challenge McClellan’s army and as a result, he saved Richmond, ending McClellan’s…

    • 1101 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Killer Angels Reflections
    • 1664 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Killer Angels Reflections

    The Civil War was one of the nation’s bloodiest wars in history, and there is so much more to it than the average person knows. “Killer Angels” by Michael Shaara does a fantastic job of ‘opening the doors’ into the true struggles of the Civil War. The book begins from a spy’s perspective, on his way to Longstreet to inform him of the Union Army’s position. The news caught Longstreet off guard because General Stuart was supposed to be on the lookout for the Union Army. It takes a while for him to convince his colleagues that they need to trust this spy because most of them want do not believe that Stuart would leave them blind as he gallivants around, getting publicity in the north. Longstreet decides to trust the spy and moves towards Gettysburg. At this point, the generals have no idea of the violent battle that is about to take place in Gettysburg. Meanwhile, Colonel Chamberlain is informed that men disbanded from the Old Second Maine. These men have decided not to fight in protest. Chamberlain delivers a very inspiring speech, and great detail is given describing his excellent speech giving skills. All but six of the men decide to join Twentieth Maine. Longstreet is completely astounded by this, but grateful. On the morning of July 1st, Stuart is still nowhere to be found. Stuart is very important to the Confederate Army; he is their eyes when it comes to knowing the location of the Union Army. Meanwhile, the battle at Gettysburg begins when the Confederates attack Buford’s men. Day one at Gettysburg ends with the Union retreat into the hills. This makes Longstreet anxious; hills are very good defensive positions. Though they should swing around to attack from behind, he knows that is not what General Lee wants to do. The next day, Chamberlain wakes up and his regiment begins moving towards Gettysburg. They run into an escaped slave on the way, and Chamberlain ponders his feelings towards the war and race. Chamberlain’s regiment is put on Little Round Top as…

    • 1664 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Robert E Lee Failure
    • 447 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Robert E Lee Failure

    Lee had a great reputation of one of the best commanders in the United States Army. When “Abraham Lincoln offered Lee the command of the Federal forces in April 1861. Lee declined and tendered his resignation from the army when the state of Virginia seceded on April 17, arguing that he could not fight against his own people. Instead, he accepted a general’s commission in the newly formed Confederate Army.” (Civilwar.org). During the Civil War Lee did not care that he was beating the Union’s Army. He wanted to prove that the Confederates were top dog. “Yet despite foiling several attempts to seize the Confederate capitol, Lee recognized that the key to ultimate success was a victory on Northern soil. In September 1862, he launched an invasion into Maryland with the hope of shifting the war’s focus away from Virginia.”…

    • 447 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Audie Murphy: to Hell and Back Book Report
    • 1577 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Audie Murphy: to Hell and Back Book Report

    Lt. Audie L. Murphy’s name stands as one of the most prominent in American military history. He was a figurehead of leadership and the epitome of the seven Army Values (Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage). He was a model for every soldier to follow, one that overcame every odd that was ever against him and rose to conquer every challenge. In his personal memoir “To Hell and Back”, he expressed a very personal view of what it takes to embody these characteristics which would eventually encourage anyone who reads it. In the next few paragraphs I will expound on his leadership and analyze what it really takes to be a leader.…

    • 1577 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Why the North Won the Civil War
    • 1249 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Why the North Won the Civil War

    Union officer William Tecumseh Sherman observed to a Southern friend that, "In all history, no nation of mere agriculturists ever made successful war against a nation of mechanics. . . .You are bound to fail." While Sherman 's statement proved to be correct, its flaw is in its assumption of a decided victory for the North and failure to account for the long years of difficult fighting it took the Union to secure victory. Unquestionably, the war was won and lost on the battlefield, but there were many factors that swayed the war effort in favor of the North and impeded the South 's ability to stage a successful campaign.…

    • 1249 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Battle Of Gettysburg Analysis
    • 597 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Battle Of Gettysburg Analysis

    Lee and George Meade were seeking to crush their opponent’s army and win the war. Lincoln encouraged many of his commanders, including Meade, to use the Northern army’s sheer numbers to crush the Confederacy. While Lee hoped to crush the Union army’s morale with his own troops and superior strategy. With the victory of the battle of Gettysburg, the North gained a crucial boost in morale but lost many troops in a less than total victory. Inversely the South lost morale, the loss of confederate troops was underwhelming in proportion to the Union losses, the news of retreat and details of the battle cost the South morale.…

    • 597 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The American Civil war: Why the South lost, and the North won
    • 1078 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The American Civil war: Why the South lost, and the North won

    At many stages, events on the battlefield might have gone differently. Historians stress different moments when the Confederacy was either unlucky or missed opportunities to strike at Union troops. Confederate forces might have been more pro-active after First Manassas. The Trent Affair could have brought Britain into the war on the Confederate side (two Confederate diplomats were removed from a British ship, due to a contraband of war. This angered Parliament, and almost brought the United Kingdom to side with the South). Had Stonewall Jackson acted as expected in June-July 1862 Lee might have triumphed even more spectacularly in the Seven Days battles. Who knows what would have happened had Lee’s battle orders not fallen into Union hands in Maryland in September 1862?…

    • 1078 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    On Class and Gender
    • 320 Words
    • 2 Pages

    On Class and Gender

    Bruce Catton’s purpose in writing was to explain how the two generals personalities were different. “They were two strong men, these oddly different generals, and they represented the strengths of two conflicting currents that, through them, had come into final collision.” “Lee was tidewater Virginia, and in his background were family, culture, and tradition the age of chivalry transplanted to a New World which was making its own legends and its own myths.” “Grant had come up the hard way, and embodied nothing in particular except the eternal toughness and sinewy fiber of the men who grew up beyond the mountains.” “These frontier men were the precise opposites of the tidewater aristocrats.” “Their society might have privileges, but they would be privileges each man had won for himself.” “Grant was the modern man emerging; beyond him, ready to come on the stage, was the great age of steel and machinery, of crowded cities and a restless, burgeoning vitality.” “Lee might have been ridden down from the old age of chivalry, lance in hand, silken banner fluttering over his head.” “Out of the way of these two men behaved at Appomattox came the possibility of a peace of reconciliation.”…

    • 320 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Gettysburg Dbq
    • 573 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Gettysburg Dbq

    Another reason the Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point of the Civil War was how much hardship set in. According to Document C, many generals were killed. In the letters between Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis, it was mentioned that General Barksdale was killed, some generals were missing, and others were severely wounded. This had to have created a very depressing mood among the troops. They had lost many important leaders and were experiencing a hard time. Also, hardship set in when Robert E. Lee began to doubt himself and his leadership position. Lee stated, “no one is more aware than myself of my inability for the duties of my position.” (Document C). This shows how Lee was beginning to realize the hardship that the Confederates were going through. The Confederacy was falling hard with many leadership problems…

    • 573 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics