Beyond the town of Gettysburg

[Lothar]

Chapter 1​

July 1, 1863, 10:15 a.m.
East of Herr's Ridge
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

The sun was now steadily rising and the damp moisture of the night finally gave way to the dry warmth of midsummer day. Brigadier General James Jay Archer from Heth's Confederate division pondered what the day ahead would bring. For the past three hours, his twelve hundred men from Tennessee and Alabama had been driving a Union cavalry brigade, part of a whole division, steadily eastward, that had blocked the road to Gettysburg, a small Pennsylvania town. The blue-clad riders had been stubborn. They had positioned themselves loosely behind big rocks, bushes and pasture fences and stoically fired their carbines. Still, Archer's men had driven them out of their positions time and again. The losses had so far been surprisingly light and the morale of the men was accordingly high. After the Confederates had taken the latest ridge, they were now faced with a small body of water that ran parallel to their battle line and had to be crossed. On the other bank, in the northeast, there was a fenced field with a white farmhouse and an annex behind it, while a little further south a small but relatively dense grove was located. Archer was about to give the order to advance again. From his location, he could already make out the characteristic cupola of the Lutheran seminar in Gettysburg and the most direct route to this landmark was through the already mentioned woods.

Suddenly a rider approached him. Archer quickly recognized him as Major Abram Sebastian Van de Graaff, commanding officer of the 5th Alabama Battalion, that formed the left flank of his line and waited for further instructions in skirmish order on the west side of the farm field.

"What brings you here, Major?“, demanded Archer as soon as the younger man had steadied his horse infront of him.

"Sir, I have important news to report, may I speak?“

"Speak frankly, Abram, you look to be agitated“

"General Archer, I believe we are no longer facing cavalry, sir. I scanned the fence line in my front with my field glasses and I am almost certain that there is infantry in my way.“

"No need to worry, as you may remember General Pettigrew informed us yesterday that militias might be in the area. And the shootout of the past few hours has certainly brought even some of these amateurs to the scene. Deliver them a sharp volley and they will be running back to their mothers before your men will have finished reloading.“

"Sir, I fear we are facing men of the Army of the Potomac. Next to a unit of bluebellys I could see a large regiment in fancy zouave uniforms. This is certainly not militia clothing. And, more importantly, their left flank connects directly with the forest in your front. While I would expect an open flank from newbie soldiers, the army men should have learned their lesson from Chancellorsville by now. The poor visibility makes me really uncomfortable. Who knows what might be located in those trees.“

There was silence around the two men as Archer arranged his thoughts. Van de Graaff was only thirty-one, but still a reliable commander who cared for his men. And he was right, when there were zouaves, that actually meant trouble. If Meade's army was already here, that would radically change the equation. Located north of Archer was the 1,700-strong brigade of Joseph Davis, the Confederate president's nephew, but the numbers of the cavalry they had engaged had been comparatively strong. The rest of Heth's division was still a few miles away, and even one or two Union brigades could do serious damage to the Confederates, who were isolated from their main force. In addition, Archer now remembered General Lee's order not to start any major engagement without having concentrated the army first. It was time to make a decision.

"You are right, Major, and I do thank you for this valuable piece of information. If there are army men confronting us, and I believe this to be the case, we are vulnerable in this depression here. You are hereby ordered to hold your ground while I retire the brigade to the ridge in our rear. General Heth must be informed about the situation before I am going to issue any further movement east. Please return to your men!“

As the major reigned in his horse and sped away, Archer barked orders to his other regimental commanders and called for couriers. As his men were orderly retracing their steps in the opposite direction, a lieutenant dashed towards the Chambersburg Pike in order to bear the news to the division commander Henry Heth while a corporal went north with the difficult task to locate the whereabouts of Brigadier General Joseph Davis.

Brig. Gen. James J. Archer, CSA​

 

[cornelius the noble]

Very interesting premise, consider this watched. I don't think I've seen a Gettysburg TL that explores this idea. I look forward to future updates.

One little quibble though, see if you can fix the quotation marks, it's a tad distracting.

 

[Anarch King of Dipsodes]

So the PoD is that Archer doesn't press his attack and get clobbered by the Iron Brigade. He will also try to warn Davis to hold back, and not get smashed up in the railroad cut.

I'm curious as what the knock-on will be. If Archer and Davis attack more deliberately, could they succeed? They won't break the Iron Brigade. If they wait for additional troops to come up, that will allow more Union troops to come up as well. However, one very likely knock-on is that John Reynolds isn't killed. That might be as helpful to the Union as the better state of Archer's and Davis's brigades to the Confederates.

If Reynolds commands the deployments, can the Union hold the ground west and north of Gettysburg?

 

[Lothar]

One little quibble though, see if you can fix the quotation marks, it's a tad distracting

I try to correct that. My German office program is to blame here.

I'm curious as what the knock-on will be.

Let yourself be surprised.

Thank you already for your input. I try to keep the updates coming as work, university and my children permit.

 

[Wendell]

Interesting idea. Subbed.

 

[Lothar]

Chapter 2​

July 1, 1863, 11:00 a.m.
Oak Ridge
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

They were gone again as if they were ghosts. Gray ghosts. Only the heaps of blue that covered the ground in front of him showed that the attack had not just been an imagination, but a brutal reality. The sun, almost at its zenith, made Brigadier General Lysander Cutler painfully feel each of his fifty-four years. His shoulders were aching. It had been a disaster, a bloody disaster. He looked around and the sad piles of men grouped around the worn and tattered flags finally brought him back to the present.

He and his men had been the first to respond to Buford's call for help, and they had bled for it. The brigade excepting the 7th Indiana, which was on duty in the rear, had moved from camp early in the morning towards Gettysburg. As they approached, Cutler was ordered by division commander Wadsworth to move obliquely to the left across the fields to Seminary Ridge west of the town, where the Confederates had already engaged Buford's cavalry. He moved forward across a railroad cut with the 76th New York, 147th New York and 56th Pennsylvania, immediately formed in line of battle and almost in the same instant found himself engaged with rebels in front and on his right flank, who were soon to be identified as belonging to Joseph Davis' brigade of Mississippians and North Carolinians. Cutler went into the fray with around one thousand men in three regiments, because the 95th New York and the 14th Brooklyn had been detached to the left to support a battery of artillery. While the 147th New York had held steady behind a wooden fence and traded fierce volleys with a regiment of Mississippians, the other two regiments were assaulted by superior numbers, outflanked on the right and driven back in confusion. Finally, the 147th New York, being now nearly surrounded, was forced back as well. Cutler had been riding constantly from one end to the line to the other and encouraged his men by recklessly exposing himself, but to no avail. When James Wadsworth finally ordered the retreat to the next ridge in order to establish a new line of defense, Cutler's brigade had already suffered more than four hundred and fifty casualties. The brigade commander had been certain that a new attack had to be launched at any moment. But suddenly, apparently without any reason, the rebels had turned. They had been about to attack Cutler's remaining two regiments south of the railroad cut when they fell back.

"Can you explain this sudden change of heart, sir?“, Cutler asked his superior, Brigadier General James Wadsworth.

"Not completely. A very unusual behavior for Bobby Lee. I have been told that a second rebel brigade had been sighted in the southwest and has never even attempted to advance.“

"Do you think Lee is up to something, sir?“

"He always is, isn't he?“, Wadsworth asked back rhetorically. "For now we have to make the best of the situation. The odds could be worse. Our lines held against them, at least sort of, and Meredith's brigade is now up. When Robinson and Doubleday arrive, we can prepare a nasty surprise for the rebels. And you, Lysander, get yourself something to drink and see to your men. I still need you today“

Cutler nodded weakly, saluted and departed.

Brig. Gen. Lysander Cutler, USA​

 

[Lothar]

Chapter 3​

July 1, 1863, 11:30 a.m.
Cashtown Hotel
Cashtown, Pennsylvania

The buttermilk served in a stone jug was cool and tasty. General Robert Edward Lee almost half-emptied the vessel in one go and allowed himself a quiet, contended sigh. He had reached the place a few minutes ago with his staff, and Lieutenant General Ambrose Powell Hill had suggested a remote room in the central hotel as a meeting space. The window curtains were drawn to keep the heat out and there was only muffled noise from the street to be heard.

“So the Army of the Potomac is definitely here, General Hill?”, Lee asked his short subordinate who wore his characteristic red battleshirt.

“Yes, this fact is confirmed by now. General Heth reports he has taken prisoners from Wadsworth's division, Reynolds' corps. While Archer refrained from attacking due to the confusing terrain, Davis was a little less reluctant. According to the report, he pretty much demolished a Union brigade and took over two hundred prisoners. However, when he noticed that Archer was not advancing in agreement with him, he stopped further aggressive movements.”

“Reluctance has never been Joseph Davis' strength”, Lee smirked. “This confidence seems to go hand in hand with being related to the president. In order not do to him any injustice, however, especially his Mississippians are a rough and undisciplined bunch. All in all, we can therefore be satisfied with his performance. He was not tempted to let himself be lured into a general engagement and General Archer acted according to my orders. I would have felt very uncomfortable to slug it out with an army I do not know the dispositions of.”

“That means you still haven't heard from Stuart, sir?”

“Not a word yet. The fact that those people are now occupying the railroad junction near Gettysburg poses the question of what our next steps will be. Without our eyes and ears, an attack is completely out of the question for me. We have to concentrate our forces.”

“If i could make a suggestion, General Lee...?”

“Go ahead, General Hill.”

“If I am properly informed, General Ewell should have crossed the mountains coming from Carlisle by now. General Longstreet's corps is still on its way north in the direction of Chambersburg. This makes the region around Cashtown where we are currently located a good gathering point.”

“Elaborate further, please.”

Lieutenant General Hill walked over to a mapping table and began to explain.

“Just a little west of Cashtown is a ridge that runs from Arendtsville in the north to the Caledonia Cold Springs Hotel in the south. The heights command the Chambersburg Pike in the middle of the line. The left flank as well as the left rear is covered by Conewago Creek, which makes any attack from the north extremely difficult. There are also a number of smaller bodies of water in the south that offer protection.“

“This looks like a solid position to await the arrival of General Stuart“, Lee observed. He pondered for a few moments, then continued with determination in his voice. “General Hill, this is the place. I want you to countermarch Heth's and Pender's divisions immediately. Those divisions shall be the center of our defensive line. When Anderson comes up, he is to be held in reserve. As soon as your men arrive, they are to begin constructing field works. I am going to order General Ewell to join us via Middletown. His corps will file in to your left. When Longstreet comes up from Chambersburg, he is going to form our right flank.“

“With all due respect, sir, what are your plans for the near future?“, Hill asked excitedly.

“Until I hear from General Stuart, I do not want to commit. We are as far north as never before and the wires from Washington will heat up with orders for General Meade to do something. Here we can receive him and give him a bloody nose. And we will know how to use the resulting opportunities, as we have always done so far. In addition, we will pursue our secondary goals and stock up with as many supplies as we can find. Virginia agriculture must be relieved this summer.“

Gen. Robert E. Lee and Lieut. Gen. Ambrose P. Hill meet in Cashtown.

Hill's plan for a defensive position.​

 

[Lothar]

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.​

 

[TheRockofChickamauga]

Just found this new TL of yours. So far it seems really interesting, and I look forward to seeing how Lee's invasion of the North continues after this.

 

[Lothar]

Just found this new TL of yours. So far it seems really interesting, and I look forward to seeing how Lee's invasion of the North continues after this.

Thank you. I wanted to take a break from my other TL and do a different narrative style.

 

[Lothar]

Interlude I​

In the late evening of July 1, the situation is as follows.

Ewell's corps has arrived north of Cashtown and extends the line to Conewago Creek. Robert Rodes' division (7,600 infantry) is positioned on the extreme left of Lee's line. South of Rodes is Edward 'Allegheny' Johnson (6,000 infantry). Jubal Early (5,100 infantry) is in reserve.

A.P. Hill's corps forms the center with Henry Heth (6,800 infantry) on the left and William Dorsey Pender (6,300 infantry) on the right. Richard Heron Anderson (6,500 infantry) is in reserve.

Two divisions of James Longstreet's corps have reached Cashtown as well and file in on Hill's right. Lafayette McLaws (6,800 infantry) is on the left and John Bell Hood (6,900 infantry) forms the extreme right. Protecting that flank is Albert Gallatin Jenkins' cavalry brigade (1,300 troopers).

Longstreet's third division, George Pickett's (5,200 infantry), camps in Chambersburg for the night, together with John Daniel Imboden's cavalry brigade (1,800 troopers) that protects the army's trains and supply line.

At Shippensburg, Beverly Robertson (1,000 troopers) and William Edmondson 'Grumble' Jones (1,900 troopers) shield Lee's rear from the north.

James Ewell Brown 'Jeb' Stuart tries to link up with Lee's army after his ride around Meade. However, his 4,800 troopers are still only at Dover, north-west of York.

The majority of George Gordon Meade's army has reached Gettysburg. Oliver Otis Howard's XI Corps (8,300 infantry) holds the right flank from Blocher's Knoll to Oak Ridge. John Fulton Reynolds' I Corps (11,100 infantry) stretches from Oak Ridge to the Fairfield/Hagerstown Road. Winfield Scott Hancock's II Corps (10,500 infantry) is positioned along Seminary Ridge up to the side arm of Pitzer's Run. The left flank from Pitzer's Run over the Peach Orchard and the Wheatfield to Little Round Top is held by Daniel Edgar Sickles' III Corps (10,000 infantry). Henry Warner Slocum's XII Corps (9,100 infantry) is held in reserve near Cemetary Hill. George Sykes' V Corps (10,300 infantry) is halfway up from Littlestown while John Sedgwick's VI Corps (12,500 infantry) camps way in the rear near Manchester. David McMurtrie Gregg's division (2,600 troopers) guards the Harrisburg Road, John Buford's division (3,900 troopers) is located at the Taneytown Road near the Round Tops and Judson Kilpatrick's division (3,800 troopers) waits for further orders at Power's Hill.

At Harrisburg, Darius Nash Couch gathered three brigades of New York Militia under Philip Schuyler (1,000 infantry), Joseph Farmer Knipe (2,200 infantry) and John Ewen (1,400 infantry).

William Henry French holds Harpers Ferry and Maryland Heights with around 10,000 infantry from the VIII Corps in Rutherford Birchard Hayes', Carr Baily White's, William Walton Morris Jr.'s and Washington Lafayette Elliott's brigades.

 

[Lothar]

Chapter 5​

July 2, 1863, 6:30 a.m.
Carlisle Pike
West of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

May God curse this Jenkins, thought Brigadier General William Farrar 'Baldy' Smith as he gazed at his spread-out column. The men who stumbled along looked less like soldiers and more like a hungover wedding party. March discipline was practically non-existent. Smith cursed silently. It would be a success if no one lost his musket until the next break.

The order to march from Harrisburg to Carlisle had come late the previous evening. Since Lee had been unusually passive, George Meade probably wanted to do everything in his power to put pressure on the rebel leader. Which meant calling for the militia. On its own, this would not even have posed too much of a problem. The rail connection between the two towns was excellent and a quick relocation would have been possible. At least if it had not been for Albert Gallatin Jenkins. Smith's militiamen under the command of Major General Darius Couch had fought several skirmishers with Jenkins' cavalry brigade in the past few days when the latter had shielded the advance of Ewell's corps to the northeast and also had briefly made contact with Harrisburg and its defenses. The raider's greatest achievement, however, had been the systematic destruction of the railway line. Rails had been torn from their anchorages, the wood had been burned and the iron parts melted and bent over the fire. Train traffic had thereby been made impossible. That was the only reason Baldy Smith had to grapple with freshly called up newcomers on a mediocre pike.

When a color guard with the state banner of New York passed him, he was again made aware of the irony of the overall situation. Allthough the governor of Pennsylvania had grandly proclaimed the drafting of 100,000 men to defend the state, the absolute majority of men who had volunteered to serve at the gun were from New York state. In fact he commanded an outfit of 4,600 men exclusively from New York. Even in Harrisburg, Smith almost ran out of patience. The majority of the local able-bodied young men had just watched the construction of entrenchments without participating. Sections of the population had had the nerve to give water to soldiers from the neighboring state, who were toiling in the blazing sun, only in exchange for money. In view of this attitude, the Union commander had briefly been tempted to offer the rebels the city as a gift if the situation had not been so serious.

More men stumbled past Smith. It would be a long march before they reached Carlisle.

Brig. Gen. William F. 'Baldy' Smith, USA​

 

[Lothar]

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.

 

[Deadtroopers]

Very good so far. Watched.

Much as I enjoy seeing the US smacked around, I'm hoping "Those People" hand Lee his head and comprehensively take the ANV apart. It'd also be entertaining to have Dan Sickles as "improbable" hero rather than prize prat.

 

[Lothar]

Chapter 7​

July 2, 1863, 4:00 p.m.
Between Chambersburg and Greencastle, Pennsylvania

John Daniel Imboden picked an apple from the tree under whose leaves he had sought refuge from the scourching sun. The fruit was ripe and after the first hearty bite the juice ran down his chin. His second regiment just trotted past him and its leader, Colonel George H. Smith, saluted him with a big grin. At least the countermarch did not seem to have spoiled his mood. Only a few hours before Imboden had had a heated discussion about the purpose of their latest assignment with his younger brother George, whose 18th Virginia Cavalry was at the head of the marching column.

The order to leave had come around noon, along with the news that the prodigal son, Jeb Stuart, and his missing three brigades had finally linked up with the army at Cashtown. Although it had been written that they were now entrusted with the protection of the right flank and the supplies, Imboden was aware of the fact that the high command rather disregarded his combat skills and those of his men. He was already bored of having to watch out for annoying mule drivers and of having to listen to their complaints about the poor quality of the roads, the hot weather or the world in general.

Life is not fair, Imboden thought in frustration. He had commanded artillery, infantry and cavalry, had marched through the Shenandoah Valley with Stonewall Jackson and carried out a raid through the Kanawha region. He was not an amateur and he commanded nearly 2,000 good men. It was a shame. When another man reined his horse in the shade of the tree, Imboden was torn from his thoughts. The newcomer was a few years older than him and sported a far more impressive beard, but his insignia only identified him as a captain.

'Captain McNeill, it is good to see you, how is your outfit?'

'My men are doing well, the so far not plundered fields and groves of this state provide enough distraction and joy. Why did you call for me, sir?'

'As you know we are heading back to Greencastle. The area is nice to look at and features many beautiful girls, but is not particularly helpful in a strategic sense in my opinion. The mountain range in the east completely shields us from the rest of the state. And I do not like that.'

'So you would like me and my company to take a look at what is located behind? You know that we are riders and not mountain goats?', the older man added with a smirk.

'Despite your beard I would never mistake you for a goat, Captain', the amused Imboden fired back. 'Do not worry, nobody is asking you to climb. Post yourself at the entrance to Monterey Pass and send a message if you do not like what you see there. That would certainly ease my paranoia.'

Brig. Gen. John D. Imboden and Captain John H. McNeill, CSA.​

 

[Lothar]

Very good so far. Watched.

Much as I enjoy seeing the US smacked around, I'm hoping "Those People" hand Lee his head and comprehensively take the ANV apart. It'd also be entertaining to have Dan Sickles as "improbable" hero rather than prize prat.

Thank you. I want to provide a historically accurate, plausible but certainly entertaining story, so please enjoy.

 

[TheRockofChickamauga]

the prodigal son, Jeb Stuart,

Intentional The Killer Angels reference?

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

I'm absolutely amazed and caught by this alternative Gettysburg...

 

[Not Henry G.]

Very interesting. Part of me Hope's Sickles is humiliated. Dude was an awful person, but most TLs have him achieve great success

 

[Lothar]

Chapter 8​

July 2, 1863, 7:00 p.m.
Headquarters, Army of Northern Virginia
West of Cashtown, Pennsylvania

Robert Edward Lee leaned over a true-to-scale map of the area and waved his most trusted subordinate, Lieutenant General James Longstreet, to his side. Major Walter Taylor had filled in the latest troop dispositions just minutes earlier.

'General Stuart reports that all seven Union army corps are assembled east of us. Those people's positions show no apparent weaknesses and they arguably hold the most important road junction in this part of Pennsylvania. Getting between them and Washington seems almost impossible', Lee told matter-of-factly.

'We would have had other options if Stuart had followed his orders and we had updated information days ago', Longstreet replied coldly.

'That may be true, but this discussion is of no help right now. Rather, the question arises as to how we should act now. What do you think, Pete?'

'Our position is impressive, but not too strong to make the Yankees categorically shy away from any attack. We have the interior lines to Virginia, the men do not have to starve in this landscape, and we have enough ammunition for at least one major battle. Let them come and let us bleed them in these hills.'

'We have to keep our focus, General Longstreet. We wanted to take the war home to those people, relieve Virginia, and deal a devastating blow to the enemy. Or do you think otherwise?'

'So far, this war does not look like it will allow either side a Waterloo. We should concentrate on trying to break the will and morale of the enemy rather than his armies. So for the bluebellys have always come back no matter how we humiliated them.'

'Your words sound wise, Pete. But our stay here is quite suitable to demoralize the opposing civilian population. In either case, we have to be determined, but must not be reckless. This army may seem invincible even to me on many days, but numerous wolves can cause the demise of the most powerful and mighty bear. We should be especially careful not to get surrounded. In contrast to the fate of Vicksburg, ours has not yet been sealed. So i am worried about the militias in the Carlisle area. If the main enemy does not budge by tomorrow morning, it seems advisable to give them a bloody nose.'

'With your permission, sir, I would suggest sending Gordon's brigade from Early's division along with Grumble Jones' cavalry. That should be enough to disperse them to the wind. Our other flank, the right, is secured as well. I have old George Pickett in reserve. His men are rested and eager to fight. But I do not think they will be tested anytime soon.'

Lieut. Gen. James Longstreet and Gen. Robert E. Lee, CSA.​