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Chapter 4
July 1, 1863, 12:30 a.m.
Taneytown, Maryland
George Gordon Meade, commander of the Army of the Potomac, wiped sweat from his forehead with a tissue and faced his assembled subordinates. Without a word, he passed the letter, which he had received from a courier, on to Chief of Staff Major General Daniel Butterfield.
“Would you be so kind, Dan?“
Butterfield nervously cleared his throat and startet reading aloud: “My command has relieved Buford's cavalry division west of Gettysburg, that had been engaged with two brigades of rebel infantry. Prisoners of war confirm that we are facing part of Henry Heth's division. Gallant General Cutler successfully stopped Heth's advance even though his brigade suffered heavy losses in the process. It looks like the rebels have withdrawn westwards after their reverse. Cavalry outposts report that the enemy is heading towards Cashtown via the Chambersburg Pike. In my opinion, the local area is excellent for a deployment. The town and thus the road and rail junction are dominated by several hills. Flank protection is provided at various points. I would therefore recommend gathering the army at Gettysburg as long as we have no further information on Lee's intentions. The road network would allow us to react promptly and appropriately to any situational changes. Respectfully, John Reynolds, 1st Army Corps, Army of the Potomac.“
“Well, Gentlemen“, Meade began. “Although I haven't seen the site myself, I have no reason to distrust John Reynolds. Our soldiers defended this patch of earth and gave their blood for it. Given this, I think it would be a mistake and a hard hit against the morale of the men if we give up this place again. Does anybody have an opinion on this?“
Daniel Edgar Sickles, the political soldier, was the first to respond. “We should teach Bobby Lee a lesson. And that would prove difficult if we hid in the hinterland to wait for him. He and his army are on our own soil now and we should drive them off by all means. I am in favor of going to Gettysburg, sir!“
“But what about the Pipe Creek Line?“, conservative Oliver Otis Howard put in. “Our plan was to fight a defensive battle there to shield Washington.“
“Washington can take care of itself“, Sickles immediately chimed in. “The city is protected by the strongest fortifications in the world. If Lee were actually stupid enough to attack the capital with us intact behind him, the heavy artillery would blow him to smithereens and we were able to wipe up his remains. We must focus on the rebel army!“
“We may have our differences, but I have to at least partly agree with you, General Sickles. We cannot just let Lee go and run in Pennsylvania, although public opinion in the capital is not to be neglected totally. If no one else has anything to contribute, I suggest you all get your men moving and I hope to god that this is good ground up there.“, Meade wrapped up the conversation.
Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade, USA.
Chapter 4
July 1, 1863, 12:30 a.m.
Taneytown, Maryland
George Gordon Meade, commander of the Army of the Potomac, wiped sweat from his forehead with a tissue and faced his assembled subordinates. Without a word, he passed the letter, which he had received from a courier, on to Chief of Staff Major General Daniel Butterfield.
“Would you be so kind, Dan?“
Butterfield nervously cleared his throat and startet reading aloud: “My command has relieved Buford's cavalry division west of Gettysburg, that had been engaged with two brigades of rebel infantry. Prisoners of war confirm that we are facing part of Henry Heth's division. Gallant General Cutler successfully stopped Heth's advance even though his brigade suffered heavy losses in the process. It looks like the rebels have withdrawn westwards after their reverse. Cavalry outposts report that the enemy is heading towards Cashtown via the Chambersburg Pike. In my opinion, the local area is excellent for a deployment. The town and thus the road and rail junction are dominated by several hills. Flank protection is provided at various points. I would therefore recommend gathering the army at Gettysburg as long as we have no further information on Lee's intentions. The road network would allow us to react promptly and appropriately to any situational changes. Respectfully, John Reynolds, 1st Army Corps, Army of the Potomac.“
“Well, Gentlemen“, Meade began. “Although I haven't seen the site myself, I have no reason to distrust John Reynolds. Our soldiers defended this patch of earth and gave their blood for it. Given this, I think it would be a mistake and a hard hit against the morale of the men if we give up this place again. Does anybody have an opinion on this?“
Daniel Edgar Sickles, the political soldier, was the first to respond. “We should teach Bobby Lee a lesson. And that would prove difficult if we hid in the hinterland to wait for him. He and his army are on our own soil now and we should drive them off by all means. I am in favor of going to Gettysburg, sir!“
“But what about the Pipe Creek Line?“, conservative Oliver Otis Howard put in. “Our plan was to fight a defensive battle there to shield Washington.“
“Washington can take care of itself“, Sickles immediately chimed in. “The city is protected by the strongest fortifications in the world. If Lee were actually stupid enough to attack the capital with us intact behind him, the heavy artillery would blow him to smithereens and we were able to wipe up his remains. We must focus on the rebel army!“
“We may have our differences, but I have to at least partly agree with you, General Sickles. We cannot just let Lee go and run in Pennsylvania, although public opinion in the capital is not to be neglected totally. If no one else has anything to contribute, I suggest you all get your men moving and I hope to god that this is good ground up there.“, Meade wrapped up the conversation.
Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade, USA.
- Lothar
- Word Count: 510