Reply #62: Vicksburg was probably lost, since Johnston refused to move to its relief [View All]

[coalition_unwilling]

and break Grant's siege. (Doubtful whether he could have succeeded anyway.) However, that said, had Lee had the benefit of Stuart's intelligence (?) in the day or two leading up to Gettysburg, he could have occupied the heights around town before Meade got troops there and possibly defeated Meade's army before it had a chance to consolidate. Confederates had succeeded on Day 1 in pushing Union Army out of Gettysburg proper, but dilly-dallied around and allowed Union to retreat and consolidate on the hills around the town.

In fairness to Stuart, though, I think a great portion of blame must go to Lee himself. Longstreet advised him not to accept battle at Gettysburg but rather to try maneuvering to outflank Union Army. Lee had his "war on" though and would not be dissuaded from giving battle then and there.