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What if Antietam Never Happened? Here's my scenario for such a situation,

Let's say Antietam never happened and Lee kept consolidating his forces in Northern Virginia. Let's also establish that both Generals Pope and McClellan were removed from their respective commands and fired, and Irvin McDowell is placed once again in command. Now as we know Irvin McDowell was responsible for both disasters at First and Second Bull Runs, but he has learned from his past mistakes and is prepared to face the Confederate Army. Now in Northern Virginia Lee feeling confident of his recent victory orders General Jackson and General Longstreet to train his Army for the next battle. Now after Second Bull Run the Union Army of Virginia Numbered some 60,000 men while lee's Army of Northern Virginia numbered 55,000 men, the greatest force until Gettysburg. Now the Union Army under the cautious McDowell continues to regroup in the Alexandrian Defenses while lee's army goes unhampered except for the occasional Cavalry Clash. Now as both Armies go into winter quarters the ANV finishes it's training and can match the AotP.

With spring in full blossom Lee decides to launch his invasion of the north, but before he advances he asks for President Davis for more men. With the threat of the IX Corps (brought back to D.C.) removed from the Carolina's almost every single regiment in the Carolina's is sent north and part of western forces is also shipped to Virginia. With these new numbers Lee's troops swell to 96,000 men while the Union Army regrouped numbers 110,000 men. The next fight will be a match, both sides know it. Under political pressure and threats from secretary of war McDowell begins moving out of Alexandria into the war ravaged countryside, but he is to late as Lee has begun moving north and is at the Potomac near what is now Brunswick, Maryland. The North is shocked as Lee has pulled off a daring move as he brought his massive army within miles of the Capital and the Union Army let him slip away.

This is also due to J.E.B. Stuarts cavalry who launched a third circuit around the Union Army in D.C. distracting Pleasanton's and Buford's Cavalry from discovering Lee's Army. Lee's Army moves in 3 columns north into Maryland. The Easternmost column or Longstreet's Column consists of 40,000 men the Center Column under Jackson consists of 30,000 men while the Western Column under Lee has the remainder of the army. On March 28th 1863 J.E.B. Stuarts Cavalry clashes with Ambrose Burnside's IX Corps near South Mountain, McDowell realizes that he must be at least 8 hours behind Lee's main column and speeds up the march. In reality he has stumbled across Lee's "Light Column" and Lee is planning on taking them on a wild goose chase until Longstreet and Jackson find a good place to concentrate the Army. In 2 days of rapid marching Longstreet and Jackson find themselves at Gettysburg and decide to concentrate there and entrench there. Lee marches his light column through the Carisle mountains and slips away from the Union Forces. He then heads south to Gettysburg and takes position along Cemetery Ridge, Longstreet positions his corps from the grove on cemetery ridge to culps hill with 1 division in reserve. Jakcson positions to the south near the round tops and waits for lee's order to strike at the union flank.

----The Battle----

The Union Army takes position across from Lee's anchoring their line along Seminary Ridge along Gettysburg to the York Road. On the first day Burnsides IX Corps launches a flank assault against Longstreets right flank near culps hill. In the midst of the fighting and melee combat Pickett is killed and Armistead takes command of pickett's Division. in 3 hours of hand to hand combat and charges/counter charges the confederates drive off Burnside's Corps with Burnside himself taking a bullet in his thigh. To the south Hancock sends his Corps against Jacksons Corps near the Wheat Field, One division manages to wheel around the peach orchard and turn Jackson's flank causing him to pull back into the Devil Den's. The Devil's Den turns into a hornets net with both corps losing cohesion. Lee sends 2 divisions to launch a counter attack and they arrive in time as Jakcsons Corps is on the verge of collapse. The 2 rebel divisions smash along the union left wheeling it up and pushing it back across the wheatfield and up seminary ridge until union massed artillery turns them back.

----Second Day----

McDowell seeing both his flanks attacks are repulsed launches a third flank attack against culps hill. The I Corps under Reynolds and the III Corps under sickles attempt to envelope Culp's hill and seperate it from the rest of the confederate line. But once again the Union exposes it's flanks allowing J.E.B. Stuart to circle behind both corps and capture over half of their artillery. Stuart then turns the guns on a nearby Union Division firing at point blank range. The division flees in panic exposing the center of the union line. Lee takes advantage and orders Penders Division to advance down Cemetery Hill and capture the town and separate the union army. With assistance of Walker's Division they capture the town and force Reynolds and Sickles Corps to retreat.

---Third Day----

Seeing his Army being torn apart McDowell orders a retreat for his left flank trying to make lee attack his position. Lee see's this and does not attack but instead reinforces his position. McDowell then orders a massive frontal assault ordering the whole line to advance. At 3 pm the over 60,000 Federals cross the open ground to Cemetery Ridge and Cemetery Hill. On the Union Right heavy rebel fire bogs the flank down at the Devil Den. In a confusing move the Union troops on the right wheel to face Jackson exposing the rest of the Union Line to fire from the round tops. In the center the line is torn apart from Canister fire and heavy rifle fire. Joshua Chamberlain's 20th Maine reaches the tree grove but is driven back by the 17th and 19th Virginia. With the entire line collapsing McDowell orders it back to seminary ridge. The charge has cost the union 20,000 casualties were the Confederates only suffer 600. The charge has cost the live's of Joshua Chamberlain, Joseph Reynolds, Winfield Scott Hancock, and Daniel Sickles. McDowell see's his worst nightmare come alive, his army is in total shambles.

----Fourth Day-----

After the Horrible charge of the day before the battlefield is somewhat quiet except for the occasional cannon shot and the cries of those injured and on the verge of death. McDowell looks at the figures and out of 110,000 men he only has 80,000 left while lee has over 90,000. McDowell has a mental breakdown and kills himself in his tent. Gen George Sykes is chosen to take command and he orders the Union Army to retreat south towards Washington.

The AotP survives for another day leaving Lee in command of the field, In the south people celebrate the victory at Gettysburg while Lincoln remorses for the Union. The victory has convinced France, Great Britian, and Spain to intervene in the war. The U.K. sends a message to the US stating that the war is over, their principle field army was driven from the field with horrendous casualties. Lincoln refuses and emancipates the slaves but Lee's Army is on the verge of Washington with Pro-Southerners in Maryland joining his ranks.

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Well that's the scenario, tell me what you think. Feedback is welcomed, enjoy :)
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