Midpoint of the War: May to July 1863Gettysburg: The Third Day |
Could the Federals have counterattacked and won an even greater victory? |
Of course, in the sense that hindsight always suggests the best move. But the Union men were accustomed to being beaten; this feeling of victory would take some time to adjust to. Then, too, there was always the danger that a counterattack would turn the retreating rebels into lions. It made far more sense to do what they did: to remain on Cemetery Ridge and see what Lee would do next.