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Chapter 6
Lutheran Seminary
Gettysburg
'The last reports from our scouts have arrived. Lee's army is in the heights to the west. Nine infantry divisions were able to be identified, which should give him between 50,000 and 60,000 men in this branch of service. We have six out of seven corps in position, which gives us about 60,000 infantry. Sedgwick should arrive around afternoon, which will add to our numerical advantage. Outposts in the Carlisle area report that Lee's left rear is guarded by two cavalry brigades. His supply line is believed to be through Chambersburg and Hagerstown. The mobilization of the militia has been slow so far, but Smith should soon have a division worth of men in Carlisle. However, it is strongly advised not to use them too aggressively. They may be able to hold their own against cavalry, but Lee's veterans would slaughter them in a standup fight', Dan Butterfield reported to the officers that had assembled in a meeting room of the characteristic seminary.
'What about the VIII Corps?', asked John Reynolds.
'After the rub Ewell gave them, they continue to lick their wounds', Meade sighed. 'French has about 10,000 men at Harper's Ferry, but those are currently incapable of performing independent operations'.
'So Lee wants to wait us out?', Dan Sickles remarked. 'Have the politicians knocked on your door yet, sir?'
Meade had to smile because Sickles himself was one of those politicians whom he now commented on with a derogatory tone. 'The first cautious feelers were put out but no concrete instructions were given yet. But I can imagine, that the status quo is dissatisfying for the capital. After all, we are not at the gates of Richmond as planned. But if I am being honest, the situation is not likely to motivate me to attack. I have only been in command of this army for a few days and Lee's positions are formidable'.
'Lee, Lee, it is always that Lee', that was Sickles again. 'He wants us to dance to his tune. But how about we turn the tables and finally force him to react to us?'
'What do you have in mind, Sickles?'
'We have a clear numerical advantage. Give me an extra cavalry division and I will march southwest with my corps and through one of the South Mountain gaps. We cut through Lee's supply- and retreat line and establish ourselves in defensive territory between Hagerstown and Chambersburg. French should go north to support me. Lee is then forced to do one of two things. He must either turn his entire army around, move it back on a single road, and confront me, which would allow the rest of the army to attack him from behind. Or else he would have to break through our positions here at Gettysburg to regain freedom of movement. In either case, we would be in the stronger position.'
Sudden silence surrounded the assembled men. George Meade thought about it. Did the ambitious Dan Sickles actually come up with a viable operation plan? And could he actually be trusted with an independent command? The suggestion sounded logical and understandable. And there would still be French. With this approach it would be possible for the first time to coordinate and concentrate independent units in two states against the gray fox Lee. If Meade had been asked earlier which of his commanders he trusted to hold an independent command, he would have immediately named John Reynolds and Winfield Scott Hancock, not Sickles. But was his underlying dislike of the New Yorker really justified? Admittedly, he was self-centered, arrogant, self-promoting and reluctant to submit to other authorities. A stereotypical politician. But he was also brave and had an eye for terrain, even though he was not from a military academy. He had to make a decision.
'All right Sickles, your suggestion sounds reasonable. We shall still wait for General Sedgwick to arrive. He will take your place in our formation. I put Kilpatrick's division at your disposal. However, you have the order not to start a general engagement yourself, just steal a march on the rebels. And should something unforeseen happen, let us know immediately. Do you already have a route in mind for your flank march?', Meade asked.
'I think we will march over Monterey Pass and Waynesboro.' Daniel Sickles beamed with satisfaction.
Maj. Gen. Daniel Sickles, USA.
Chapter 6
July 2, 1863, 11 a.m.
Lutheran Seminary
Gettysburg
'The last reports from our scouts have arrived. Lee's army is in the heights to the west. Nine infantry divisions were able to be identified, which should give him between 50,000 and 60,000 men in this branch of service. We have six out of seven corps in position, which gives us about 60,000 infantry. Sedgwick should arrive around afternoon, which will add to our numerical advantage. Outposts in the Carlisle area report that Lee's left rear is guarded by two cavalry brigades. His supply line is believed to be through Chambersburg and Hagerstown. The mobilization of the militia has been slow so far, but Smith should soon have a division worth of men in Carlisle. However, it is strongly advised not to use them too aggressively. They may be able to hold their own against cavalry, but Lee's veterans would slaughter them in a standup fight', Dan Butterfield reported to the officers that had assembled in a meeting room of the characteristic seminary.
'What about the VIII Corps?', asked John Reynolds.
'After the rub Ewell gave them, they continue to lick their wounds', Meade sighed. 'French has about 10,000 men at Harper's Ferry, but those are currently incapable of performing independent operations'.
'So Lee wants to wait us out?', Dan Sickles remarked. 'Have the politicians knocked on your door yet, sir?'
Meade had to smile because Sickles himself was one of those politicians whom he now commented on with a derogatory tone. 'The first cautious feelers were put out but no concrete instructions were given yet. But I can imagine, that the status quo is dissatisfying for the capital. After all, we are not at the gates of Richmond as planned. But if I am being honest, the situation is not likely to motivate me to attack. I have only been in command of this army for a few days and Lee's positions are formidable'.
'Lee, Lee, it is always that Lee', that was Sickles again. 'He wants us to dance to his tune. But how about we turn the tables and finally force him to react to us?'
'What do you have in mind, Sickles?'
'We have a clear numerical advantage. Give me an extra cavalry division and I will march southwest with my corps and through one of the South Mountain gaps. We cut through Lee's supply- and retreat line and establish ourselves in defensive territory between Hagerstown and Chambersburg. French should go north to support me. Lee is then forced to do one of two things. He must either turn his entire army around, move it back on a single road, and confront me, which would allow the rest of the army to attack him from behind. Or else he would have to break through our positions here at Gettysburg to regain freedom of movement. In either case, we would be in the stronger position.'
Sudden silence surrounded the assembled men. George Meade thought about it. Did the ambitious Dan Sickles actually come up with a viable operation plan? And could he actually be trusted with an independent command? The suggestion sounded logical and understandable. And there would still be French. With this approach it would be possible for the first time to coordinate and concentrate independent units in two states against the gray fox Lee. If Meade had been asked earlier which of his commanders he trusted to hold an independent command, he would have immediately named John Reynolds and Winfield Scott Hancock, not Sickles. But was his underlying dislike of the New Yorker really justified? Admittedly, he was self-centered, arrogant, self-promoting and reluctant to submit to other authorities. A stereotypical politician. But he was also brave and had an eye for terrain, even though he was not from a military academy. He had to make a decision.
'All right Sickles, your suggestion sounds reasonable. We shall still wait for General Sedgwick to arrive. He will take your place in our formation. I put Kilpatrick's division at your disposal. However, you have the order not to start a general engagement yourself, just steal a march on the rebels. And should something unforeseen happen, let us know immediately. Do you already have a route in mind for your flank march?', Meade asked.
'I think we will march over Monterey Pass and Waynesboro.' Daniel Sickles beamed with satisfaction.
Maj. Gen. Daniel Sickles, USA.
- Lothar
- Word Count: 750