Was General Robert E Lee effected by Napoleon Bonaparte?

Answer 1

Many military historians believe that General Robert E. Lee followed many of the practices of Napoleon and was well read on the Napoleonic Wars. Clearly Napoleon was an offensive motivated general. When Lee was the superintendent at the USMA, commonly referred to as West point, Lee checked 15 books out of the library there. Seven of these books were about Napoleon. During Lee's tenure as superintendent the Napoleon Club flourished with Dennis Hart Mahan as the faculty instructor.Lee also learned much of his philosophy on warfare from military theorist Henri Jomini. Jomini's ideas on warfare came from being part of Napoleon's staff and publishing much of what he learned. Lee is said to have expressed his admiration of Jomini.

During the US Civil War, General Lee implemented the warfare ideas of napoleon and Jomini whenever he had the opportunity.

The philosophy of warfare practiced by Lee can be summarized as follows:

* Conduct direct and concentrated assaults with massive frontal attacks;

( This was seen on day three at Gettysburg ).

* Take into account that battlefield tactics involving maneuver and flanking was risky;

( This danger Lee recognized in 1862 when he used a risky turning movement to cut the supply lines of the Union during the Peninsula campaign ).

* Create and promote the superiority of the offense and the advantage of speed;

( In both raids into the North, Lee was able to move into Union territory forcing the Army of the Potomac to run after him).

* If invaded, take the battle to the enemy and invade its territory; and

( As seen at Antietam and Gettysburg ).

* Use the tactical defense whenever this was required.

Lee was forced to use the tactical defense at Antietam when McClellan had superior numbers in troops.