by Suzanne Marsh

Created on: September 21, 2008   Last Updated: March 12, 2009

He knew Pickett's Charge was useless but the commanding General had ordered it, there would be no change in orders. Why did General Robert E. Lee order Pickett's Charge?

The sequence of events that led up to the charge began on July 1, 1863; the first day of battle at Gettysburg. General Henry (Harry) Heath a divisional commander under; General Ambrose Powell Hill commander of the Third Corp Army of Northern Virginia,asked for permission to enter Gettysburg in search of boots for his division since most of his men were barefoot.

Heath's division marched into Gettysburg at first light and engaged in a preemptory battle with General John Buford Calvary thus commencing the Battle of Gettysburg. John Buford it should be noted held Seminary Ridge gaining time for General John Reynolds and his First Corp, the Black Hats. Unfortunately Heath engaged Buford before the rest of Hill's Corp was up. Because of General John Buford's efforts General George G. Meade now knew that the entire Army of Northern Virginia was in and around the Gettysburg area.

General James P. Longstreet commanded the First Corp Army of Norther Virginia; he was Lee's second in command. Longstreet had argued with Lee stating that it was his understanding that the Arny of Northern Virginia was to fight on the offensive, get between the Army of the Potomac and Washington DC. Gettysburg had now become a defensive battle for the Confederate Army. Lee told Longstreet directly that the battle was there at Gettysburg and he intended to fight on that ground.

July 2, 1863 brought further arguments between Lee and Longstreet which in turn caused General John Bell Hood to argue with Longstreet. The reason for the argument between Hood and Longstreet was Hood's orders to take the Round Tops. Hood knew that his only opportunity to take the Round Tops laid in going up Big Round Top and placing canons there: in this way the Confederates would then have the higher ground to enfilade down on the Union Troops which held Little Round Top. This was logical but there was no time to clear Big Round Top of the trees. Hood presented his argument to Longstreet who replied: "I have argued this with the commanding General, I have argued this since we got here. I can't call this one off. Now General Hood go take that hill. Hood's reply to this order: "I do this under protest" only made Longstreet sure that any frontal attack would be futile.

On the evening of July 2, 1863 Lee and his commanders entered into a council of war. The

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