Dear audience,
A few quick remarks before I begin posting:
1. After years of lurking and reading, this will be my first attempt of a TL.
2. English is not my first language, but I hope the quality of my vocabulary and grammar is sufficient.
3. Yes, this is another Gettysburg-TL. I chose this, because the ACW is my favorite time period, I visited Gettysburg two times and I own a large amount of books concerning the topic.
4. The scenario is already well scetched out and you might expect regular updates. As a busy university student I might not always live up to the expectations though ;-)
5. My main intent is to focus on a realistic different approach concerning the battle. This includes military decisions and also casualty figures. If anybody believes it gets to wanky-ish, please keep me informed.
6. Feel free to give me any form of positive or negative but nevertheless constructive feedback.
PROLOGUE
Evening, June 30th, 1863
Headquarters, Army of Northern Virginia
„General Longstreet, you have rendered me excellent service by providing the information of your spy, two days ago.“,
Robert Edward Lee, commanding General of the confederate Army of Northern Virginia, addressed his trusted second-in-command, Lieutenant General James Longstreet.
„Because of the absence of General Stuart with most of our mounted forces, it was essential for our cause to be informed, that all seven federal corps are on the march to follow our army’s movements.
Today, General Hill passed me a note* concerning a potential concentration of enemy forces near a small pennsylvanian town. One of his brigades, Pettigrew’s, briefly skirmished with a federal cavalry contingent. Pettigrew fiercly insists, that it has been neither militia, nor irregular troops, but elements of the Army of the Potomac. If there is cavalry, infantry is to be expected close behind.
Because of the railroad connections to the town and the good ground, I do believe we have an opportunity here to offer battle on circumstances favorable to us."
"What is the name of this town?", Longstreet asked after a brief silence.
"Gettysburg."
"Sir, I have to inform you about the disposition of my divisions. Hood, Mc Laws and the bulk of George Pickett's men are located near Fayetteville. It will take them possibly a day's march to reach the vicinity of Gettysburg. Jenkins' and Corse's brigades, that were attached back to Pickett thanks to your bargain with President Davis, are still around Williamsport and might need even longer to approach**. Therefore we are left with Hill's corps between Greenwood and Cashtown and Ewell, who is mostly concentrated around Heidlersburg, for immediate action."
"I am aware of that, General. My explicit orders to Generals Hill and Ewell this afternoon were, to take the town of Gettysburg tomorrow by force, but not to risk the integrity of the army by recklessly wrecking our available troops. It is the only army capable of offensive actions we have in the field in this theatre. I forbade any piecemeal attacks. We are going to go in with strenght, trying to quickly overwhelm any strung-out federal forces we encounter. Then we will await what George Meade has to offer as a reaction."
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*IOTL Heth and Hill did not pay attention to Pettigrew's remarks
**IOTL Pickett (deprived of two of his brigades) was located near Williamsport on June 30th. Corse and Jenkins had been detached.