alternatehistory.com
Chapter 19
July 4, 1863, 8:15 a.m.
Union left flank
South of Cashtown, Pennsylvania
From the back of his horse, Major General John Sedgwick watched the unfolding scenery.
The morning mist had been dispelled by the smoke from the short but powerful cannonade of Henry Hunt's artillery reserve. Now Sedgwick had the honor of leading the attack en echelon.
His first two divisions under Horatio G. Wright and Albion P. Howe, more than 7,800 infantrymen, had already made contact with the enemy on the high ground. Prisoners from the Confederate skirmish line claimed to be with Hood's division in Longstreet's Corps. Already Wright's southernmost brigade, Torbert's, visibly overlapped the rebels' right flank. Sedgwick now planned to take advantage of his numerical superiority to an even greater extent.
He turned to the commander of his third division, Major General John Newton, who accompanied him.
'John, Lee's flank is open like a barn door. Lead your men to the left and tell them to take revenge for Chancellorsville. Move forward now!'
'Yes, sir!' Newton saluted with a broad grin and began barking the necessary orders.
Only minutes later, his three brigades, more than 4,700 men, began to move.
By God, we'll finish them, thought Sedgwick quietly.
On his right was now also the noise of battle to be heard. This meant that Reynolds was about to go in. And like beads on a string, the other corps would follow. The even pressure along the entire front would make it almost impossible for Lee to bring any significant reinforcements to his threatened right flank. And with each step that Newton's men would take to push the rebels back, the enemies would be forced further away from their life line and home base.
Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick, USA.
Chapter 19
July 4, 1863, 8:15 a.m.
Union left flank
South of Cashtown, Pennsylvania
From the back of his horse, Major General John Sedgwick watched the unfolding scenery.
The morning mist had been dispelled by the smoke from the short but powerful cannonade of Henry Hunt's artillery reserve. Now Sedgwick had the honor of leading the attack en echelon.
His first two divisions under Horatio G. Wright and Albion P. Howe, more than 7,800 infantrymen, had already made contact with the enemy on the high ground. Prisoners from the Confederate skirmish line claimed to be with Hood's division in Longstreet's Corps. Already Wright's southernmost brigade, Torbert's, visibly overlapped the rebels' right flank. Sedgwick now planned to take advantage of his numerical superiority to an even greater extent.
He turned to the commander of his third division, Major General John Newton, who accompanied him.
'John, Lee's flank is open like a barn door. Lead your men to the left and tell them to take revenge for Chancellorsville. Move forward now!'
'Yes, sir!' Newton saluted with a broad grin and began barking the necessary orders.
Only minutes later, his three brigades, more than 4,700 men, began to move.
By God, we'll finish them, thought Sedgwick quietly.
On his right was now also the noise of battle to be heard. This meant that Reynolds was about to go in. And like beads on a string, the other corps would follow. The even pressure along the entire front would make it almost impossible for Lee to bring any significant reinforcements to his threatened right flank. And with each step that Newton's men would take to push the rebels back, the enemies would be forced further away from their life line and home base.
Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick, USA.
- Lothar
- Word Count: 300