Grant at Gettysburg

[lloyd007]

Hooray it's back!

The ANV is still as chewed up as ever though...

[usertron2020]

July 9th 9AM

Longstreet's Corps
At the gun line facing Williamsport to the southwest

"General Longstreet?" The man had come up so quietly, and Longstreet, Hood, and McLaws had been so intent on the enemy, they hadn't even noticed his approach. But there he was, Major General Richard Anderson. Longstreet was feeling so inwardly cold he merely nodded to Anderson, as if to say: Yes? "Sir, I've been ordered to put my division at your disposal, sir, for this attack, for whatever tasks you see fit."

Rage seethed within Longstreet at this. 'Like you did when Pickett's boys were being lost? You went off and bumped up against that fool Sickles for all of five minutes when you were supposed to be joining up with PICKETT!' These thoughts roared through Longstreet's mind, but he left them unspoken. It was clear that Anderson knew full well himself that he'd failed miserably that day. And there was no taking away what his boys had done the day before.

"Were these orders from your own commander, General Hill, or General Lee?" asked Longstreet. "General Lee. sir. He gave me the orders himself, said to just consider myself as part of First Corps again, like before Chancellorsville."

With considerable relief, Longstreet looked out over the enemy. Pointing due south, he said "Alright, then, I want you to take a long look at those Yankees over there-" "The Yankee XIIth Corps?" "Yes, Slocum's boys, I want you to advance your men and get the Yankees engaged with you, I want you to be pouring it into 'em hot'n'heavy, just make sure the Yankees are in no position to interfere with our attack on Williamsport, CLEAR?" "Yessir!

"But sir, what about those Yankees further over yonder?" "That's the Ist Corps. The're just about as chewed up as anybody over there. You can be sure they won't make any trouble. They might be shooting, sure enough, but they won't attack." "I'll be ready, sir."

To be continued...

[Elfwine]

Yay, an update!

More sacrifices for Ares by Mad Rob, though...

Gods willing, Anderson can take some of the flak for this.

And not just as in having his boys contribute so that Longstreet's at least can get within shooting range.

[Paul V McNutt]

I am really looking forward to this next installment .

[DTF955Baseballfan]

Me, too; great to see it back.

Although, one way back when had a group so badly smashed that someone was telling a private to get someone to round them up - even if it had to be a corporal! I don't know how it can get worse than that. (I think it was the ATL's Picket's Charge but I don't recall, it's been a while.)

BTW, considering how bad the weather was in this time fram in OTL and the ATL, I think we could joke that this is the only timeline that has ever had a rain dealy.

[trekchu]

I mean I am massively rooting for the Union, but seeing men sacrificed like this....

[usertron2020]

July 9th 9:30AM

Longstreet's Corps
Confederate Gun Line (Alexander)

Through his field glasses, Colonel Alexander could see the earthworks protecting the Yankees outside Williamsport. Not good at all, he thought. He'd have to have his boys pour in shell, then caseshot, all over their lines. When that ran out, solid shot straight into Williamsport itself. When THAT ran out, he'd reload with canister (what little he had), and let the infantry commanders know it was time.

Alexander had to shake his head. They were closer this time, in a much better position than at Gettysburg, but with a much tougher nut to crack. What he REALLY needed was some heavy mortars to put plunging fire into the enemy's lines. Might as well wish for a hundred thousand more men.

As he looked around at all the mud, the good colonel knew what the army truly lacked. Dry weather. With dry roads, the supply columns for his guns would probably have reached him and replenished his batteries. Now, they could be in the hands of the Yankees. With dry roads, the troops would have beaten Grant here, we'd be crossing the Potomac by now, and all this would be moot. Or at least, thought Alexander, Lee would have had a chance to use his magic against the Yankees to get the army safely back to Virginia. Now...

Alexander knew they were cut off, that this would be their last chance to get out. He hoped the troops knew. If we fall back from this, there's nowhere to go, nothing to face but the horrors of Point Lookout Prison Camp. He looked at his watch. Thirty minutes.

[usertron2020]

July 9th 9:45AM
Behind the Confederate Gun Line

Anderson's Division
Taylor's (Posey's-KIA) Brigade
Taylor's Headquarters

The men looked out at the Yankee lines. Unfortified, mostly. All the ground they'd covered, it figured the bluebellies would be too tired to do much until now. The Army of Northern Virginia had a full day's more to build up defenses against Grant. All they had to do was keep what was left of the Union I Corps busy...

Colonel Taylor, the newly minted commander of Posey's old brigade (rest in God's good hands, sir), looked back to his regimental (12th, 16th, 19th, & 48th Mississippi) commanders. "Men, let our boys of Mississippi know what we need of them this day. Just close in and keep the enemy busy. Everything we know of the enemy tells us there is little fight left in those Yankees. As long as we don't try to push things too hard, we'll be alright." The solemn faces Taylor saw before him had him worried. The performance of his brigade, even of the whole division, on July 3rd was nothing to be praised. Could the boys hold up better this time, with the cloverleafs (Union II Corps) on their left flank?

[usertron2020]

July 9th 9:55AM

Area of the Army of Northern Virginia
Between the Conococheague Creek (River) and McLaws' Division
Furthest Confederate lines from Hagerstown facing the Union Army

Longstreet's Corps
Hood's Division

The men were waiting, with a sense of dreaded apprehension. Some showed the wounds earned in battle a week ago. Many, those that could, had left their hospital wagons to rejoin their units in the field. Their faith in their commander was as undiminished as their fighting spirit. Despite the fierce fight in the appropriately named Devil's Den, the bitter fight at the foot of Little Round Top, and finally the see-saw action against Sickles' III Corps near Cemetery Ridge. Still, a bitter memory for them all, as just when the Yankees were starting to break, Sedgwick's enormous VI Corps came up to stop them cold and put fire in Sickles' belly at the same time. To make matters worse, elements of Sykes' V Corps attacked their right flank even as McLaws' retreat exposed their left. Sensing victory, Sickles launched an attack of his own, leaving Hood's men in the lurch. Only Luffman's Brigade's launching of a near suicidal counterattack broke up Sickles' attack long enough for the division to escape. And only Lee's genius enabled the troops to escape Gettysburg and get them all the way here, to the approaches to Williamsport.

Meanwhile, their commander, Major General John (Sam) Bell Hood, stared down at the map he had drawn up of Williamsport. Three fortified lines extending out northeast from the town. His responsibility would be the lines from the Conococheague Creek to the Williamsport-Chambersburg Pike. Perhaps down to the Williamsport-Hagerstown Pike as well. He noted that there was a small road, Conococheague Street, running directly south from the shore of it's namesake creek right into the center of town.

'That could be the key...' Hood thought to himself. Assuming his men made it past Howard's three concentric defense lines, a clean charge down Conococheague Street, with the Presbyterian church steeple as the men's guide onto Potomac Street. Turning right there, straight to the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, which they would follow south up Commerce Street to Salisbury Street, turning right onto the bridge across the canal to the Potomac River. Right there was the ferry, and the bridge.

And with that, crossing the Potomac Bridge in the face of the Union VIII Corps. Shaking his head, Hood thought 'Assumin' they an' the rest a' XI and XII Corps ain't shootin' at us crossin' that little bridge from Salisbury Street across the canal! And no one wants to hear what I have to say.'

Meanwhile, Lafayette McLaws was also pondering his options. As he saw things, it would be up to Sam Hood to break that line, as he would have enough to do keeping Slocum's XII Corps from spoiling the whole attack. As long as he kept south of the Williamsport-Hagerstown Road, he would have his men in good position to support Hood without blocking his line of advance. The ultimate objective was the bridge across the Potomac, he knew that. So the Yankee lines outside of Williamsport were irrelevent. Just lead the boys in and cut off any counterattacks from Slocum. Except, grimacing, he knew he couldn't DO that without breaking through Howard's lines himself. "So that means Anderson to the rescue, God Help us." McLaws exclaimed out loud, to no one in particular. A motion behind him caused McLaws to turn around. It was Longstreet.

10AM
Confederate Gun Line
*BOOM!*

[usertron2020]

July 9th 10AM

Outer Union defense lines outside Williamsport
XI Corps

*BOOM*

Howard did not expect this. Blazing guns up and down the Confederate lines, quickly responded to by the Union batteries. Though the men were quickly getting up to the lines, he was still concerned. Howard was currently with his Third Division, Carl Schurz's. "Like we haven't seen enough! Where is General Schurz?" His aide told him Schurz was on the outermost line of his division.

Howard reacted to this news by rushing straight forward through the rebel barrage, ignoring the shells exploding around him. When he got to Schurz, he found him rallying his shaky troops, in some cases ordering his more reliable troops (like the 45th New York) to drive his men into the lines. Howard was pleased at the sight of his men, holding up in the face of the enemy. It was good that his men, and Kelley's before them, had been building up the defenses of Williamsport these last several days.

As Howard approached, he did not hear the siren whine of an approaching Rebel shell. Schurz though, did hear the anonymous cry of "GENERAL!", before he found himself spinning to the ground. Schurz tore at his shirt desperately, looking for a gut wound. Nothing, no blood. No chest, no belly wound. It was then Schurz realized he could only move his right arm. As his men closed in around him, he saw Colonel Krzyzanowski, his 2nd Brigade commander. "Colonel! Tell (Brigadier) General Schimmelfennig (1st Brigade CO) to take over the division! NOW!"

"General Schurz, Sir! General Howard is right here, and he's out cold, sir! His head's bleeding real bad!" Pain shooting down his spine, Schurz found he couldn't completely rise up. As the black spots came across his field of vision, he fell back on his back. "Oh God, call (Brig. General) Ames (1st Division CO)! Call (von) Steinwehr (2nd Division CO)! Anybody! If you can't reach anyone in the corps, call Slocum (XII Corps CO)! Call Meade! Call Grant if you have to! But get to SOMEBODY and tell them that the enemy is about to hit us and we have no corps commander!" "Yes, sir! Now, sir, let these men here form litters for you and General Howard, and I'll take over here!" Schurz waved weakly in acknowledgement.

Colonel Krzyzanowski turned to his staff, and ordered his officers to collect runners to notify all the commanders who had to know of the loss of Howard.

As the barrage went on, the runners went on to their assignments. Not knowing that both of the surviving XI Corps divisional commanders were out of action. Ames, killed by case-shot, von Steinwehr wounded by heavy shell shrapnel. Even as the barrage continued, XI Corps was for all intents and purposes leaderless.

[Elfwine]

Uh oh.

This just got bad. 11th Corps with its leadership intact - or at least with people aware what roles need to be filled - is already the weakest element of the Army of the Potomac.

On the bright side (I'm a Unionist, so...) - even a corps with its leadership shot full of holes doesn't exactly have a stiff challenge ahead.

But things just got measurably easier for Longstreet. Instead of facing something that can be reasonably taken for granted as good enough to hold a line, we have something that is suffering from having its leadership above regimental level torn apart. (Okay, brigade level so far, but...)



Nicely done.

[pvicente]

You're going to put XI corps in trouble so that Lee feels confident and sticks his little bobby deep in the blender, sadistic writer that you are.
Let me guess, the XI or parts of it run and the Confederates take the fortifications to find out that help is coming and they're going to get cut off.

[Elfwine]

Originally Posted by pvicente

You're going to put XI corps in trouble so that Lee feels confident and sticks his little bobby deep in the blender, sadistic writer that you are.
Let me guess, the XI or parts of it run and the Confederates take the fortifications to find out that help is coming and they're going to get cut off.

I think Lee has already stuck his little bobby in the blender, this just means someone else gets credit for ripping it off.

[usertron2020]

Elfwine
pvicente

You've noticed I'm sure the changes taking place in the names of the lower ranked commanders, due to incapacity or death. But as the casualties among the mid-level commanders rise, their replacements become less obvious. If ANYONE feels that I have made a mistake on promotion based on seniority, please sing out.

While I have the names and ranks of every officer to command a regiment throughout the Gettysburg campaign, including the retreat, I do not have a list of rank seniority for officers. That is, I don't know where they stand on the promotion lists, and have at times had to make educated guesses based on future promotions, or rank of an available subordinate officer at a time when a superior officer has fallen. Particularly in regards to officers who have fallen that SURVIVED unharmed IOTL.

Does anyone have a link?

[Elfwine]

Originally Posted by usertron2020

Elfwine
pvicente

You've noticed I'm sure the changes taking place in the names of the lower ranked commanders, due to incapacity or death. But as the casualties among the mid-level commanders rise, their replacements become less obvious. If ANYONE feels that I have made a mistake on promotion based on seniority, please sing out.

While I have the names and ranks of every officer to command a regiment throughout the Gettysburg campaign, including the retreat, I do not have a list of rank seniority for officers. That is, I don't know where they stand on the promotion lists, and have at times had to make educated guesses based on future promotions, or rank of an available subordinate officer at a time when a superior officer has fallen. Particularly in regards to officers who have fallen that SURVIVED unharmed IOTL.

Does anyone have a link?

The closest thing to a link (as opposed to painstakingly going through things regiment by regiment, and even that had to be used to some extent here to confirm a couple officers) I have is Eicher's ultimate OOB, and even that's not much help.

I think this is accurate, assuming only OTL's Gettysburg casualties plus the one's you've mentioned at the moment, however:

11th Corps: Alexander Schimmelfennig, as Schurz is incapaciated. This leaves Schimmelfennig as the only officer of general's rank in the corps. If Schurz can function, then Schimmelfennig commands 3rd division and von Amsberg is still at regimental level. Exactly as at Gettysburg OTL in the brief period Howard was wing commander.

1st Division: Leopold von Gilsa.
1st Brigade: Gotthilf Bourry (68th New York).
2nd Brigade: Andrew L. Harris (75th Ohio)

2nd Division: Orland Smith
1st Brigade: Charles R. Coster (no change from before the shelling...so far)
2nd Brigade: Charles B. Gambee (55th Ohio).

3rd Division: Wlodzimierz Krzyzanowski.
1st Brigade: George von Amsberg (45th New York)
2nd Brigade: Lt. Colonel David Thomson (82nd Ohio)

Who fills the voids as these men fall...let me put it this way, once things get this badly cut up, seniority matters less than who has the stones to stand firm and the presence to inspire anyone else to. Once the chaos is sorted out, assuming there's any 11th Corps left to reorganize, you can worry about who takes control of what might have been brigades at some point in June.

But as of the time of the latest update on the situation, this is at least is how its supposed to look and it may even bear some resemblance to reality.

[CobiWann]

The 11th? Leaderless?!?

I'll have you know that Wlodzimierz Krzyzanowski is my great-great-great-grandfather AND the first administrator of the Alaskan Territory!

Actually, that's all I have to say...and it doesn't have ANY bearing on the outcome of the battle...but it's kind of neat to see a known relative taking a major part in an AH TL.

I've been enjoying the hell out of this storyline from the first discussions to the first official TL posting, and I'm eagerly awaiting to see how it all shakes out. Whoever "wins" or "loses" in this ATL, getting there has been a lot of fun!

[Elfwine]

Originally Posted by CobiWann

The 11th? Leaderless?!?

I'll have you know that Wlodzimierz Krzyzanowski is my great-great-great-grandfather AND the first administrator of the Alaskan Territory!

Actually, that's all I have to say...and it doesn't have ANY bearing on the outcome of the battle...but it's kind of neat to see a known relative taking a major part in an AH TL.

I've been enjoying the hell out of this storyline from the first discussions to the first official TL posting, and I'm eagerly awaiting to see how it all shakes out. Whoever "wins" or "loses" in this ATL, getting there has been a lot of fun!

Lucky you in being a descendent. No, seriously.

I'd like to say as long as the 11th has men like Kryzanowski its in good hands, but its in too dangerous a position with so many officers dropping.

[pvicente]

Originally Posted by usertron2020

Elfwine
pvicente

You've noticed I'm sure the changes taking place in the names of the lower ranked commanders, due to incapacity or death. But as the casualties among the mid-level commanders rise, their replacements become less obvious. If ANYONE feels that I have made a mistake on promotion based on seniority, please sing out.

While I have the names and ranks of every officer to command a regiment throughout the Gettysburg campaign, including the retreat, I do not have a list of rank seniority for officers. That is, I don't know where they stand on the promotion lists, and have at times had to make educated guesses based on future promotions, or rank of an available subordinate officer at a time when a superior officer has fallen. Particularly in regards to officers who have fallen that SURVIVED unharmed IOTL.

Does anyone have a link?

I'm afraid you're a better expert than me on these things, so no link, sorry...
But I can give you a suggestion, war is usually a mess, so if you promoted a guy and it turns out there was another one ahead in the queue, who is to say that he didn't got shot "off camera", or ate something that didn't sit well or just couldn't be found?

I also got an idea for a internet meme of this TL rattling around my head since I read the Longstreet and Lee posts, got to write down sometime...

[lloyd007]

Ouch! Looks like the Rebel artillery finally got lucky for once... Still this is a worst case scenario as now Longstreet isn't just going to bounce off the earthworks but die in a sea of blue once XII Corps and VIII Corps start to push back and XI Corps recovers. You also gotta wonder if Grant won't advance the army now that Lee has committed to Williamsport.

[The Sandman]

Originally Posted by lloyd007

Ouch! Looks like the Rebel artillery finally got lucky for once... Still this is a worst case scenario as now Longstreet isn't just going to bounce off the earthworks but die in a sea of blue once XII Corps and VIII Corps start to push back and XI Corps recovers. You also gotta wonder if Grant won't advance the army now that Lee has committed to Williamsport.

Not unless Lee sends another full Corps to join Longstreet's death march. Hagerstown is sitting on the highest ground in the area, Lee still has plenty of canister, and there aren't that many bridges over Antietam Creek for Grant to throw the army across. Unless he needs to attack for political reasons, Grant can afford to just sit there and wait for the ANV to starve; there's no point in wasting thousands of lives in an assault that won't work.