Final answer:
Confederate generals Robert E. Lee and James Longstreet had differing opinions on how the battle should be fought. Lee favored offensive strategy while Longstreet preferred a defensive approach. Longstreet's plan was significant due to his reluctance to support Pickett's Charge, which had negative consequences for the Confederates.
Step-by-step explanation:
In terms of how they thought the battle should be fought, Confederate generals Robert E. Lee and James Longstreet had differing opinions. Lee favored an offensive strategy, often seeking decisive victories and believing in the importance of taking the initiative. On the other hand, Longstreet preferred a more defensive approach, emphasizing the need to hold strong defensive positions and advocating for caution in committing troops.
One significant aspect of Longstreet's plan was his reluctance to support Lee's decision to launch Pickett's Charge on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg. Longstreet believed that a frontal assault against the strong Union defenses was unlikely to succeed and voiced his concerns to Lee. Despite this, Lee went ahead with the plan, which resulted in heavy casualties for the Confederates and is considered a turning point in the battle.