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Chapter 18
July 3, 1863, 9 p.m.
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
The main room of the house was filled with the smoke of cigars and pipes. One of the adjutants had just served freshly brewed coffee, which had briefly interrupted the muttered conversations. When George Meade cleared his throat, curious pairs of eyes looked at him from all directions.
'Gentlemen, we have received a message from General Sickles which I cannot withhold from you.' He unfolded the densely written paper and began to read aloud.
'To the commanding general: My troops began their flank march this morning as planned. At Monterey Pass, several Confederate cavalry brigades stood in our way, but after heavy fighting we were able to drive them out of their formidable higher positions. After we crossed the pass on the heels of the cavalry, an ambush by the rebels revealed itself at the height of the town of Waynesboro. We were faced with numerically superior enemy forces, two or realistically three Confederate infantry divisions. My men defied the overwhelming odds for several hours, inflicting terrible losses on the enemy. Despite this heroism, we could not hold our positions and had to retreat to the western entrance of Monterey Pass. We are still holding this opening and I am optimistic that I will be able to fend off any rebel attack on my lines.'
He left the attendees some time to digest the news, then continued.
'What is your opinion on this?
John Reynolds drew attention to himself.
'Apart from the fact that Dan Sickles is obviously sugarcoating it, this message does contain relevant information. Lee has obviously weakened his lines at Cashtown to stop the 3rd Corps down there. With a quarter to a third of his infantry absent, there is only one realistic option for us: We must attack.'
Maj. Gen. John F. Reynolds, USA.
Chapter 18
July 3, 1863, 9 p.m.
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
The main room of the house was filled with the smoke of cigars and pipes. One of the adjutants had just served freshly brewed coffee, which had briefly interrupted the muttered conversations. When George Meade cleared his throat, curious pairs of eyes looked at him from all directions.
'Gentlemen, we have received a message from General Sickles which I cannot withhold from you.' He unfolded the densely written paper and began to read aloud.
'To the commanding general: My troops began their flank march this morning as planned. At Monterey Pass, several Confederate cavalry brigades stood in our way, but after heavy fighting we were able to drive them out of their formidable higher positions. After we crossed the pass on the heels of the cavalry, an ambush by the rebels revealed itself at the height of the town of Waynesboro. We were faced with numerically superior enemy forces, two or realistically three Confederate infantry divisions. My men defied the overwhelming odds for several hours, inflicting terrible losses on the enemy. Despite this heroism, we could not hold our positions and had to retreat to the western entrance of Monterey Pass. We are still holding this opening and I am optimistic that I will be able to fend off any rebel attack on my lines.'
He left the attendees some time to digest the news, then continued.
'What is your opinion on this?
John Reynolds drew attention to himself.
'Apart from the fact that Dan Sickles is obviously sugarcoating it, this message does contain relevant information. Lee has obviously weakened his lines at Cashtown to stop the 3rd Corps down there. With a quarter to a third of his infantry absent, there is only one realistic option for us: We must attack.'
Maj. Gen. John F. Reynolds, USA.
- Lothar
- Word Count: 310