“General, I have been a soldier all my life. I have been with soldiers engaged in fights by couples, by squads, companies, regiments, divisions, and armies, and should know, as well as any one, what soldiers can do. It is my opinion that no fifteen thousand men ever arrayed for battle can take that position.” –General James Longstreet to General Robert E. Lee
The quote above, provided as a recollection many years after the War by Confederate General Longstreet, was most likely referring to Longstreet’s thoughts immediately prior to ______________.
answer choices
Pickett’s Charge on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg
Scott’s Anaconda’s final act at the Battle of Vicksburg
The firing on the Federal fortress in Charleston Harbor, Battery Wagner
The Union advance through the cornfield at Antietam
The answer is A: Picket's charge on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg.
I am not totally sure, so let me turn in the assessment and see if I was right.
I turned it in and A is correct
In order to determine the correct answer, we can analyze the quote provided. In the quote, General James Longstreet is expressing his opinion about a position that he believes cannot be taken by any army consisting of fifteen thousand men. To determine what event Longstreet might be referring to, we can eliminate the answer choices that do not fit the description provided in the quote.
Option 1: Pickett's Charge on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg
This event occurred during the American Civil War and involved a Confederate attack on the Union Army. While Pickett's Charge was a significant and well-known event, it does not specifically align with the description given in the quote. The quote does not mention a specific battle or attack, but rather refers to a position that cannot be taken.
Option 2: Scott's Anaconda's final act at the Battle of Vicksburg
This option refers to a tactic employed by General Winfield Scott during the American Civil War. The Battle of Vicksburg was a crucial battle in the campaign to gain control of the Mississippi River. However, this event does not align with the description in the quote, as it does not involve a specific position that cannot be taken.
Option 3: The firing on the Federal fortress in Charleston Harbor, Battery Wagner
This option refers to the firing on Battery Wagner, a Confederate fortification located in Charleston Harbor. While this event does involve the defense of a position, the quote does not specify a fortress or harbor. Therefore, it is less likely to be the correct answer.
Option 4: The Union advance through the cornfield at Antietam
This option refers to the Battle of Antietam, a significant battle during the American Civil War. The Union advance through a cornfield at Antietam does align with the description provided in the quote. The quote mentions soldiers engaged in battles of various scales, from couples to armies, which reflects the nature of the Battle of Antietam. Additionally, the quote suggests an opinion about a position that cannot be taken, and the Union advance through the cornfield at Antietam could be seen as a difficult position to overcome.
Based on the analysis, it is most likely that the quote provided by General Longstreet is referring to his thoughts immediately prior to the Union advance through the cornfield at Antietam.