American history 1492-1865 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

American history 1492-1865 - Essay Example Numerous historians and novelists delve into the analysis of the civil war while focussing on various battles to paint a realistic image of events as they were. However, they lack consensus on issues that run deep and are pertinent to the motivation, reasons, and outcomes of the war. While there were numerous fronts of confrontation during the American civil war, this paper focusses on Gettysburg owing to the magnitude of the battle and outcomes. In addition, this paper employs the works of David Moore, Michael Shaara, and Edwin Coddington for the purposes of different opinions and from the viewpoints of various characters involved in the war. The named scholars are renowned for their quality analysis of historical events, which places their work at ease among their peers owing to significant research accompanied by lengthy bibliography essays. The scholars are in consensus about whom the participants in the battle of Gettysburg are, and have been accorded enormous analysis based on their conduct during the war. The battle involved a confrontation of enormous magnitude between union and confederate forces at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in 1863. The battle lasted three days and resulted in heavy casualties from either side before the confederates were forced into a retreat and subsequent surrender. In line with participants, well detailed biographies by the scholars illustrate the kind of leadership provided by the then generals during the civil war. The characters of great importance during the Gettysburg confrontation include General George Meade of the Union faction and General Robert Lee who led the confederate soldiers. While over 160,000 soldiers engaged in the battle, the confederates had fewer men compared to the Union front. The scholars share different opinions on the opposing sides with a clear inclination of whom they would support. An in-depth look at Coddington’s ‘The Gettysburg Campaign’, although not clearly stated his tilt towar ds the Union forces is revealed as the writer engages the reader in a detailed narration of the events. Coddington’s account of the campaign is regarded as a fine volume of events as they were and as such, it has been highly influential in shaping how society thinks of the battle. Moreover, Coddington’s analysis depicts a rough image of the generals that led the battle giving rise to different sentiments on his account. The writer cites the mistakes made by the confederate generals during the three-day battle while bravery is illustrated for officers involved in the repulsion of the Pickett’s charge. It is the writer’s belief that the Union’s victory can be attributed to General Lee’s contempt of his opponents, overconfidence, and poor organisation (Coddington 680). In essence, Coddington hold General Lee culpable for the failure to make a decisive strike on the first day of the battle where the writer suggests a different outcome for the en tire confrontation. This take absolves other perspectives such as lack of coordination, firepower, and ill-trained soldiers from all blame and setting it all on General Lee. Unfortunately, the writer’s work has always seized a unique spot among historians leaving almost no room for criticism. It has been argued that the writer relied on the General Lee’s use of the phrase ‘if practicable’ when issuing orders, which is seen as a suggestion rather than an order (Bowden and Ward