We left off the narrative with the Union army in full retreat and consolidating
their line on Cemetery Ridge.  A discussion of the preparations from the end of
fighting on July 1 until the beginning of fighting on July 2 must necessarily
look at what didn't happen as much as what did happen. Ewell didn't attack
Cemetery Hill, Lee did not move his army around to the right and Longstreet did
not attack dawn. These 3 non-events are so ingrained in the story of Gettysburg
that they simply can not be ignored in an overview of the battle.

By most accounts Ewell arrived in Gettysburg between 4 & 5 PM on July 1. He was
confronted with a situation where Culps Hill is unoccupied,  Cemetery Hill is
being hastily fortified by the remnants of the 11th Corps and the Hill's right
flank being held by Buford's cavalry. The question of the hour is should Ewell
press on with an attack of Cemetery Hill or at least occupy Culps hill? Many of
Ewells subordinates, Trimble being the most adamant, believed he should assault
Cemetery Hill. Ewell defers stating(per Major Douglas) that "General Lee told me
to come to Gettysburg and gave me orders to go no further. . I do not feel like
advancing and making an attack without orders from him and he is back in
Cashtown"  It is at this point that Trimble gives his famous 'give me a
division....give me a brigade.....give me a good regiment ...and I will take
that hill" speech. Disgusted with Ewells refusal he throws down his sword and
stomps out of the meeting. Major Douglas also claims that as he left Ewells
chief of staff pulled him aside and said" Oh, for the presence and inspiration
of Old Jack for just one hour".

Early, Ewells commander, also is ambivalent about whether the attack should be
pressed. Early believes that there may very well be fresh troop-troops that did
not engage in the fight earlier in the day, occupying that hill and wonders if
the best strategy is not to consolidate their gains and wait for the next day.

General Lee does arrive and, scanning the situation from seminary ridge,sends
Ewell orders that it "was only necessary to press these people in order to take
posession of the height". Lee adds a caveat, however, that the action should
only be taken if practicable. Ewell decides it is not and 137 years of
controversy has followed.