Lee Moves North: Robert E. Lee on the Offensive

by Michael A. Palmer

Lee Moves North "A revisionist look at Lee's career . detailed and interesting." --Orlando Sentinel "Michael Palmer says that Robert E. Lee was 145;a man of military genius'--but only when he was reacting to a Union attack. When he analyzes Lee on the offensive, Palmer labels him a woefully inadequate general. Powerfully written, this no-holds-barred criticism of Lee the general will shake long-held perceptions of historians and buffs. Like this book or not, it is must reading." --John F. Marszalek, Mississippi State University author of A Soldier's Passion for Order "A superb study--one that provides refreshingly new insight into the generalship of Robert E. Lee .a must for Civil War and military historians." --William N. Still Jr., coauthor of Why the South Lost "A unique and careful analysis of Lee's generalship #133;an excellent and persuasive consideration of the Marble Man." --Alan T. Nolan, author of Lee Considered Reconsidering a Confederate Legend . In a boldly revisionist look at the career, leadership capability, and decisive battles of the venerated General Robert E. Lee, prize-winning historian Michael Palmer delivers a riveting new perspective on one of the most compelling figures in United States history.

Genres: Civil War

189 pages, Hardcover

First published February 28, 1998

About the author

Michael A. Palmer is a professor of History and Maritime Studies at East Carolina University.

Reviews

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a well-reasoned study of Robert E. Lee’s strengths and (mostly) weaknesses when he took the strategic offensive (i.e., invaded the North and fought at Antietam and Gettysburg). While the book admits Lee’s defensive brilliance, those traits that made him a genius on the strategic defensive (trust in his commanders, the desire to improvise and take chances), were his weaknesses on offensive. He invaded the North twice without clear goals or objectives, leaving his commanders to guess at his intentions. The results speak for themselves.

Additionally, whether it’s Lee’s fault or not, the Confederacy lacked a coherent overall war strategy. However, Lee did not help. While they were losing New Orleans, Tennessee, Kentucky and Vicksburg (essentially the entire Mississippi River, cutting the nation in two), Lee adamantly argued against sending any of his troops south. In fact, his solution to every crisis in the deep South was to suggest an offensive into the North.

This book is an important antidote to the Lee Cult that grew after the war and is still present today. He was a good “game day” general, but a poor overall strategist. Lee won almost every battle but lost the war. George Washington lost almost every battle but won the war. Who was the better general?

[Kenneth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise, informative, fresh and fair. Lee is lionized in American history- a man in bronze, but didn’t he ever make any mistakes? His exemplary record as a student at West Point is well known, receiving no demerits in four years. How about on the battlefield? Was he in sync with his commander in chief- Jefferson Davis? Was General Lee a good communicator with his subordinates? What obstacles faced him as he took on the larger, better equipped Union Army? The writer Palmer breaks his book into three offensive campaigns that Lee launched, the Maryland Campaign, the Gettysburg Campaign, and the Bristoe Station Campaign. Where did Lee fail?
The book concludes strong in a compelling “conclusions” section. I wished that many other history books drew to a close as this one did. At 136 pages, Mr. Palmer makes wise use of the readers’ time.

[Andy Hart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have studied the Gettysburg campaign for some time now and found Palmer's arguments wholly consistent with my own view. Many readers will find that it is the very antithesis of theirs.

Not surprisingly, I find a great deal to value in this relatively short discourse and agree with the author's contention that Lee was far from the apogee of 19th Century general that the South's apologists insist.

I was also convinced by his defence of Stuart at Gettysburg.

[Iain · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well done study of Robert E Lee's temperament and repeated failures when on the strategic offensive. Serves as a solid counterpoint to the mythology surround Lee. Recommend for those interested in the ACW, particularly in the Eastern theater.