Grandest century in the world's history; containing a full and graphic account of the marvelous achievements of one hundred years, including great battles and conquests; the rise and fall of nations; wonderful growth and progress of the United States ..etc., etc . are many well-in-formed people who stillcling to the exploded no-tion that the battle of Get-tysburg was an accident. Itwas not so. After considering the sit-uation for a few hours afterthe necessity for withdrawalof Ewell was admitted, Gen-eral Lee perceived the im-portance of Gettysburg asa great strategic position byreaso
Grandest century in the world's history; containing a full and graphic account of the marvelous achievements of one hundred years, including great battles and conquests; the rise and fall of nations; wonderful growth and progress of the United States ..etc., etc . are many well-in-formed people who stillcling to the exploded no-tion that the battle of Get-tysburg was an accident. Itwas not so. After considering the sit-uation for a few hours afterthe necessity for withdrawalof Ewell was admitted, Gen-eral Lee perceived the im-portance of Gettysburg asa great strategic position byreason of the many excellent turnpikeroads which radiate therefrom. AtGettysburg he would not only occupya commanding position from which todeliver battle, but one available fromwhich to fall back toward the Potomacand one threatening both Washingtonand Baltimore. These considerationsimpelled Lee to change his previousorder to Ewell to come back to Cham-bersburg, in the following terms : *Headquarters Army of NorthernVirginia, Chambersburg, June 28,1863,—Lieutenant General R. S. Ewell, Commanding Corps—General: I wroteyou last night stating that GeneralHooker was reported to have crossedthe Potomac, and is advancing by theway of Middletown, the head of hi-^. GENERAL GEORGE G. MEADE. column being at that point, in Frederickcounty. I directed you in that letterto move your forces to this point. Ifyou have not already progressed on theroad, and if you have no good reasonagainst it, I desire you to move in thedirection of Gettysburg, via Heidlers-burg, where you will have a turnpikemost of the way, and you can thus joinyour other divisions to Earlys, whichis east of the mountains. I think itpreferable to keep on the east side otthe mountains. ^ R. E. Lee, General.^* \ 882 GREAT BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG. The history of the event is proof thatin thus changing the point of concentra-tion from Chanibersburg, which wasbehind the screen of a mountain range,to Gettysburg, in the close presence
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