alternatehistory.com

1 July

Lee's force launches an assault on Sumner, and manages to break their perimeter. The men of II Corps are already tired and running low on supplies (they had not expected to be put in this situation), and when the guns fall silent it is too much. Sumner surrenders his command, specifically because further resistance cannot achieve anything beyond getting more of his men killed.

The Confederate general himself feels somewhat better about the battle when he realizes he has captured a good third or so of the Army of the Potomac (due to all the regiments detached from III Corps, as well as the significant number of men manning what used to be III Corps' artillery) and begins coordinating with his cavalry - who need to either establish a proper supply line or fall back, though their raid has done huge damage to Union morale and was important in the outcome of the battle.


As Congress absorbs the news of the defeats of the past few days, Vallandingham reiterates his opinion that peace is the only sensible option. This time the audience is more receptive of his view, and though the debate goes on long into the night the conclusion is reached - peace must, indeed be had.
This does not in any sense mean that everyone is agreed on what peace means... but nevertheless the request is sent to Canada and to Richmond for a ceasefire in order that the details of the peace can be worked out.



2 July

Milne hears about the news of the ceasefire. Almost his first words are a clear statement that the blockade will continue, at least until the peace, as to do otherwise would be frankly stupid.

Pennefather also halts on hearing of the ceasefire, and notes with some satisfaction that he has essentially captured Lower Michigan - which will hopefully prove useful at the peace table. (He will discover the next day that a flank brigade captured Toledo as well largely by accident late on the 1st, having found it defended by a small number of militia unwilling to put up a serious fight).

The Vanderbilt approaches the straits of Gibraltar after a hasty recoaling at A Coruna, and a course shaped well out to sea to avoid British ships at the Tagus (based on old information - the ships which were at the Tagus are now blockading the US coast, and unlike the assumptions made by Vanderbilt's captain the station was not replaced). The Gibraltar station has been drawn down with the war, and contains no ships capable of matching the 14 knot dash speed of the Vanderbilt (or, indeed, making twelve knots).
This, coupled with the circuitous course, means that the Vanderbilt manages to successfully run the straits. This is largely by staying at least ten miles from Gibraltar at all times - the Rock positively bristles with guns, with over six hundred guns mounted (and many of them heavy pieces such as 68-lbers) in 110 different batteries.

Telegraph messages are passed on to Malta informing the station of the Vanderbilt's passage.