Napoleon's Influence on Lee

Paper Summary:

This paper identifies the Napoleonic tactics utilized by Robert E. Lee during the Civil War. It aims to show that use of these tactics resulted in Lee experiencing some of the same victories and defeats as did Napoleon Bonaparte. The paper discusses the reasons for the similar outcomes, particularly focusing on the changing nature of warfare in both cases.

Table of Contents:
Statement of Thesis
Purpose of Study
Definitions and Terms
Background of the Study
Overview of Napoleon Bonaparte
Overview of Robet E. Lee
Victories of Napoleon and Lee Compared
Defeats of Napoleon and Lee Compared
The Battle of Waterloo and the Battle of Gettysburg
Influence of Napoleon on Lee in Victories and Defeats
Summar
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Lee utilized Napoleonic "skirmishes" regularly during the battles of the civil war. When's Lees army was mobile he would deploy advanced guards as well as flanking parties, and in fact, this procedure was standard for Lee when mobile. Close order formation is also a Napoleonic tactic utilized by Lee during the battles of the Civil War. The work of Carhart (2005) states that this close order formation is the highest ranking in the causes of civil war casualties. Because no one questioned this technique during the civil war casualties were very high however, according to the work of Weigley (1991) any other formation than the linear formation was unquestionable at the time of the civil war. The Napoleonic tactic of 'entrenchment' can be seen to be used by the Union army at Gettysburg as key in the defeat of Lee and his forces."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Alexander, Bevin (2007) How the South Could Have Won the Civil War. Online available at: www.bevinalexander.com/books/how-the-south-could-have-won.intro.htm.
• Bell, Jason (2006) Lost Triumph: Lee's Real Plan at Gettysburg - and why it failed" Army Lawyer 1 Aug 2006. Online available at: http://www.encyclopedia.com/printable.aspx?id=1G1:155294558
• C.H. Lanza, ed., Napo/eon and Modern War. His Mi/itary Maxims (Harrisburg, PA: Military Service Publishing Co., 1949), Maxim 77. in Ross (1985)
• Carhart, Tom (2005) Lost Triumph: Lee's Real Plan at Gettysburg and Why it Failed.
• Coggins, Jack (2004) Arms and Equipment of the Civil War. Courier Dover Publications.

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