The Civil War's Aftermath - Why did the South Lose?

To begin with, going into the Civil War, it is clear through historical review that many of the odds were stacked against the South. In general terms, the North won the war, according to Civil War author David Potter, because the North was far better equipped in terms of industrial and agricultural resources, than the South was. Potter notes (115) that at the beginning of the war, the north produced (annually) "...17 times as much cotton and woolen goods as did the South."

Other annual production advantages enjoyed by the North included: "30 times as many boots and shoes" (Potter 115); 20 times as much pig iron; 13 times as much "bar, sheet, and railroad iron" (important raw materials fo

One of the sources of the "myth" that perhaps Lincoln helped Pickett get into West Point is Pickett's widowed wife, self-styled as "Mrs. General George Pickett." She pushed his image forcefully in the public milieu for 51 years following her husband's death in 1875; she wrote articles and gave speeches on the topic of "My Soldier."

Another miscalculation on the part of the South that contributed to the South losing the war, according to author Potter was the fact that the Confederacy opted for a defensive strategy "rather than take any initiative against the North" (Potter 120). First, the South believed that the citizens up North were "so badly divided" that they would "not support a war of invasion against the South," Potter explains on page 120. There were solid reasons for the South to take a defensive position (it is "less costly" and "an army loses fewer troops defending a position" rather than attacking one, Potter continues on page 120).

Questions as to the mistakes made by the Confederate army at Gettysburg are still being asked, and analysis regarding General George Pickett's ill-fated charge at Gettysburg - and who truly is to be held accountable - likely will never truly end, as long as there are history books, first-person records, and intelligent people to engage in dialog.

Longstreet writes that he watched Pickett rode off "gaily" while he in his heart knew the batteries to be used in support of Pickett's assault had been "spirited away by General Lee's chief of artillery" and the ammunition "was so reduced" Alexander could not use them "in proper support of the infantry." Picket, "a graceful horseman, sat lightly in the saddle, his brown locks flowing quite over his shoulders," Longstreet continued.

The volleys launched at the rebels were fierce, Pennypacker writes, and Pickett's part of the line "drifted to the left," and that effectively left his right flank vulnerable to the "deadly volleys of Doubleday's division." Longstreet's book, From Manassas to Appottamox, tells a story of Lee making misjudgments and being "disingenuous"; Longstreet's finger-pointing and second-guessing actually included saying Lee "knew that I did not believe that success was possible." From Longstreet's narrative, readers don't hear blame put on Pickett's charge, but rather on Lee. "Some claim that his only fault as a general was his tender, generous heart. But a heart in the right place looks more to the cause entrusted to its care than for hidden ways by which to shift its responsibility to the shoulders of those whose lives hang upon his word."

Kemper's wound was "excruciatingly painful," he wrote, and he doesn't remember much after that although for the record he was taken prisoner and served time at Fort McHenry in Baltimore and Fort Monroe in Virginia, later exchanged as a prisoner of war.

Another survivor of Gettysburg was James Henry Morris, who was, according to Civil War Times, part of the "ill-fated Pickett-Pettigrew-Trimble assault" (Brydge, 2005). Morris recalls facing canister and musket fire that "bowled them over like nine pins," the article explained. Morris - who believed that surviving the July 3rd assault was "a miracle" - was taken captive after the battle and spent the rest of the war a prisoner of war.

Kemper was "fascinated" with the "majestic...confidence, composure, self-possession, and repressed power" he saw in Longstreet's movements. Kemper approached Longstreet, "to remind him of his peril...'General, this is a terrible place.' Said he, 'What! Is your command suffering?' 'Yes,' I answered, 'a man is cut to pieces here every second while we are talking; sometimes a dozen are killed at one shot.'" Longstreet asked if Kemper could retreat to safer ground, and Longstreet added, "I am greatly distressed at this - greatly distressed at this...[but] we are hurting the enemy badly and we'll charge him presently."

Still, notwithstanding the possible tactical advantages involved when taking a d

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