The Grey Revolution

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Chapter 44: Toombs Trial
Two weeks after the failed putsch the conspirators of March 18th (Robert Toombs, Edmund Ruffin, Robert W. Barnwell, Laurence Keith, Zebulon Vance, and John Dunovant) were put on trial. To lead the prosecution team Senator Andrew Johnson was selected, and with the new Confiscation and Treasons Act Johnson prepared to present his case.
The passing of the Confiscation and Treason Act allowed the government to strip the men of all their worldly possessions including their slaves. Their families now destitute and looking to save their own skin soon gave damning testimony. The Judge Advocate General of the Confederate Army presided over the trial that took only a couple of days. Vance and Dunovant testified against Toombs and pleaded guilty thus avoiding the death penalty, and instead was given life without the possibility of parole. The other four defendants were found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging. On April 1, 1862 the sentence was carried out in Libby Prison and the names Robert Toombs, Edmund Ruffin, Robert Barnwell, and Laurence Keitt soon became notorious as traitors throughout the CSA .
Buoyed with the success of the trial few politicians challenged the President or his administration. Soon after the trial Andrew Johnson was made Attorney General as Thomas Bragg, a faithful Wise confidant, ran and won the governorship of North Carolina. Johnson now used his new found power and close association with the President and Vice-President to go after men of privilege who hampered the war effort.
Soon a new problem presented itself….what to do with the thousands of slaves the government now had in its care?

 

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Chapter 45: Davis’ Gamble
Following the battle of Mayfield the Confederate position in Columbus, Kentucky and Western Kentucky in general became exposed. The city thanks to Confederate engineers was dubbed the “Gibraltar of the Mississippi “. General Jefferson Davis withdrew his main army to the forts: Donelson and Moltke (OTL Fort Henry but built on better site). This left Columbus under the command of Brigadier General Lloyd Tilghman, a Kentuckian from the western part of the state, who’s defense of the city would captivate the Confederate People.
With the help of the Confederate Mississippi River Defense Force under Rear Admiral Karl Brommy Davis hoped to keep Tilghman supplied and reinforced. This would force Union Major General Charles F. Smith to capture the city before he could move into Tennessee.

Lloyd Tilghman, commander of Columbus, Kentucky

 

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Chapter 46: Battle of the Rappahannock
After failing to gain a foothold across the Rappahannock River President Chase sacked Irving McDowell and replaced him with Major General Ambrose Burnside after his Ninth Corp was transferred from North Carolina. With these reinforcements the Army of the Potomac numbered 125,000 strong against a entrenched Confederate force of 92,000.
With a stalemate soon to ensure Washington pressured Burnside to push on to Richmond. After weeks of shifting troops elements of the First Corp built pontoon bridges and crossed to occupy the town of Fredericksburg. Confederate sharpshooters occupying the town harassed the engineers as they built them. Union artillery blasted the town causing great damage. Seeing their work complete the snipers withdrew to Marye Heights where the bulk of Johnson’s army awaited the Union army.
The following two days June 30th and July 1st Burnside moved over half his army across the Rappahannock. At the same time General Franklin with his Fifth and Sixth Corp were ordered to demonstrate along the fords west of Fredericksburg.
Johnson for his part atop Marye Heights devised a daring plan. After meeting with his top lieutenants Johnson gave General Robert E. Lee the go ahead to outflank the Union army by crossing the Rappahannock River. Lee took his whole force six divisions in two corps totaling 31,000 troops. Leading the movement was Brigadier JEB Stuart’s cavalry brigade which quickly captured the pickets guarding Kelly’s Ford opening up the Army of Potomac’s right flank.
While Lee was crossing the Rappahannock Lt. Gen. James Longstreet commanding the troops west of Fredericksburg withdrew to prearranged defensive works giving Franklin and his officers the impression that the Confederate line was broken. Burnside believing that his plan was working dispatched his reserves to reinforce Franklin so as to exploit his advantage. This only condemned the Union troops as word soon filtered to Burnside that Confederate cavalry was raiding across the Rappahannock.
Dispatching the Army of the Potomac’s Cavalry Division under Brigadier George Stoneman soon came upon Stuart’s horsemen supported by elements of the Stonewall brigade. In reminiscent of the Napoleonic Wars Stoneman charged the Confederates were hundreds of saddles were emptied within minutes. This was followed by Stuart leading a charge that broke the Army of the Potomac’s mounted division. Hundreds of cavalrymen were captured. This opened up Jackson’s Corp to occupy Ely Ford closing a retreat artery for Franklin’s now endangered forces.

troops of Jackson’s Corp occupying Ely’s Ford

By evening of July 2nd Franklin realized his situation. His only escape now open to him was the US Ford. Orders were sent to extract the Fifth and Sixth Corp back across the Rappahannock River. Sensing the opportunity Lee now ordered Jackson now reinforced with all three of his divisions to launch a night attack upon the Union troops guarding US Ford.
The Second Battle of US Ford saw the Confederate divisions of Major General Richard Ewell and the famed Stonewall Division under Major General Charles Winder launch a pre-dawn bayonet charge upon the the Union forces under David Hunter. Hunter was sent by Franklin to hold the last river crossing while Franklin himself pulled troops out of battle now that James Longstreet had turned on the offensive and pressing the pocket that was forming.
After a salvo of artillery fire the vaunted Rebel Yell broke the dark 3am dawn. Fearful for their own safety many troops threw down their rifles and ran northward, but those that stayed were determined to hold no matter what. After a volley each both sides grapple in hand to hand contact. During the fighting Ewell was wounded in the knee and was carried from the field. Command of Ewell’s division soon fell to Brigadier William Tecumseh Sherman commander of A brigade of Louisiana troops.

Sherman, the former superintendent of the Louisiana Military Academy was swayed by former president Taylor to side with the south. Sherman, brother to Ohio Congressman John Sherman, abhor the abolitionist and John Brown in particular so threw his lot in with the Confederacy.
Sherman now informed by Jackson to take over Ewell’s division pressed the attack. Before the sun rose on the morning of July 3rd the Confederate Flag flew across US Ford. The fighting had been steep over 3,000 southern troops mostly wounded had been paid for their victory. Sensing his failure to protect the last Ford across the Rappahannock Union Major General David Hunter withdrew his troops to Falmouth and sent word to Burnside. Franklin with no hope of success surrendered his force of over 7500 to James Longstreet.

 

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Chapter 47: Falmouth and Burnsides Charge
While Jackson was pressing his attack on the fords Lee other Corp under Lt. Gen. George Thomas initiated a flanking maneuver and cut off the already ragged troops under Hunter and the Army of the Potomac’s supplies and artillery train. Burnside by now seeing the grandest army ever to be formed on North American soil about to be destroyed now did the unthinkable: he ordered his troops on the other side of the Rappahannock to attack Marye’s Heights. As he saw it was his last card. If for some reason the Confederate lines could be pierced then maybe the day could be saved.
On the morning of July the 4th elements of the Army of the Potomac under Burnside himself marched toward destiny. Johnson not believing his eyes could see that Thomas was attacking Falmouth, and all that had to happen was hold the line. The Confederate troops atop Mayre Heights were held by the veterans of Beauregard’s Army of Eastern Maryland. These men were hardened veterans of many campaigns, and wanted revenge for being ousted from their lands across the Potomac. Also holding a piece of defensive works were the troops of Major General Francis Meagher the “New York Division” made up of mainly Irish and Democrat refugees from New York in particular. Meagher’s four brigades were commanded by prominent Irishmen, but one of his brigades is commanded by Democratic refugee Theodore Roosevelt Sr.

Confederate troops defending the road before Mary’s Heights

Burnside’s Charge as historians would later call it saw the First, Second, Ninth, & Eleventh Corps launch an attack across open ground. The defenders plied their deadly trade as countless Union troops dropped before the onslaught. Burnside personally led his Ninth Corp and died leading his men. Before too long Major General Edwin Sumner the ranking General sent up a white flag to General Johnson, but Johnson during the heat of battle was seen riding along the lines of Marye Heights was mortally wounded and refused to leave the battlefield until it was decided. When word of Sumner’s surrender was forthcoming Johnson passed knowing he won his battle. Sumner would later give his sword to Beauregard.
On July 4th the Army of the Potomac ceased to exist as Thomas mopped up Union resistance all the way to Aquia Creek.

 

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Chapter 48: Lee Assumes Command
Following the destruction of the Army of the Potomac the Confederate forces along the Rappahannock were allowed a few days to rest and refit except for the cavalry which was sent northward to gather stragglers and probe Union defenses. On July 6th President Wise and Secretary of War von Roon arrived and met with Generals Lee and Beauregard. It was decided to combine the armies of Johnson and Lee together to form the Army of Northern Virginia under Lee while Beauregard with his Army of Eastern Maryland moved to Aquia Creek to await Confederate Naval forces under Rear Admiral Franklin Buchanan to begin the reconquest of Maryland. After the meeting the President and Secretary of War escorted Johnson’s body back to Richmond and a hero’s funeral.
On July 10th Lee began his movements sending Jackson’s Corp into the Shenandoah Valley to rid it of Union forces. At the same time the Corps of Thomas, Longstreet, and Edmund Kirby-Smith moved toward the old battlefield of Manassas.

 

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Chapter 49: CSA and Foreign Recognition
From the beginning of the conflict Confederate diplomats tried their best to get the recognition of the two main European powers: England and France. Both wanted the United States weakened for their own personal reasons, and both detested slavery except when it suited their needs.
Before becoming Vice President then Secretary of State Otto von Bismarck sent feelers to all major European courts seeking financial and military assistance. None would be forthcoming in 1861. By 1862 the powers of Britain, France, and Spain agreed to occupy the port of Vera Cruz to force the Mexican government to pay loans owed by the Mexican government. Ever fearful of the German Socialist government a coalition of some 10,000 troops were sent to Vera Cruz.
Hoping to benefit from the coalition occupation President Wise sent merchants to sell provisions to the occupying European forces. This would bring southerners and Spanish officers in contact with one another again especially once word began to filter of Joseph Johnson’s death where Spanish officers displayed their respects to the man that helped modernize the Spanish military.
After getting agreements from the Mexican government of payment British troops left the area leaving the French and Spanish in possession of Vera Cruz still seeking to exploit their occupation.
With word of European intervention in Mexico President Chase reached out to the government of Benito Juarez stating that the US government would sponsor Mexico’s claims to pay off their debt. In exchange Mexico must invade the CSA and would be able to reclaim any territory lost during the Mexican American War. With funds available to them and promise of war material President Juarez declared the Reconquest on June 18th, 1862. Seeing an opportunity representatives from France and Spain were dispatched to Richmond to work out a deal to help their mutual satisfaction.
With Mexican forces gathering to invade the southwest CSA an agreement was reached between the CSA, France, and Spain. The Richmond Accords bonded the governments of Paris, Madrid, and Richmond together. Emperor Napoleon III and Queen Isabella II agreed to send assistance to the CSA, and recognize the Confederate States into existence. In exchange the CSA would assist with Spain’s occupation of the island nation of Dominica, and France’s move to set up a monarchy in Mexico. Also established we’re trading rights plus other secret agreements that would come into play at a later date. It would take months before the first troops from Europe would arrive, but the momentum was turning in the Confederacy’s favor.

 

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Chapter 51: McClellan Comes East
As the New Commander-in-Chief of the Union’s war effort George McClellan began modifying the war’s objectives immediately. Leaving his beloved Army of the Ohio under Major General Don Carlos Buell with instructions to hold the line in Kentucky. After briefly stopping in Cincinnati to see his wife and confer with members of Ohio Governor William Dennison. The Governor pledged to raise a dozen regiments to fill McClellan’s ranks out East. From Cincinnati McClellan traveled to Pittsburg where news of Keyes incompetence reached him. Fearful of losing the trained veterans under Keyes McClellan ordered Keyes removed from command and placed Major General Darius Couch in command of the Fourth Corp.
Couch immediately destroyed anything of military value, and with rations for fours days marched westward in the middle of the night. Marching through the mountains of Western Virginia became arduous as troops deserted in the hundreds. By the first week of August Couch was safe in Pittsburg, refitting his troops and boarding trains for Central Pennsylvania.
By the early part of August McClellan would have 30,000 troops with more on the way stationed in Philadelphia. Time wasn’t on McClellan side as word arrived that Confederate warships were poised outside of Annapolis, Maryland. Beauregard and the Army of Eastern Maryland had returned.

 

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Chapter 52: Beauregard Returns
On August 5, 1862 Confederate warships sat outside of Annapolis, Maryland and demanded the surrender of the city. Union commander Colonel Dixon Miles refused with a cannon shot from his forts guarding the city. In response Rear Admiral Franklin Buchanan opened up with a tremendous cannonade silencing many guns. Miles knowing he had no hope of holding out was buying time, and during the night withdrew his meager forces from the city. The next day a few of the townspeople sent word to the ships that the Yankee invader had left. Beauregard and his army immediately disembarked.
This wasn’t the same AEM that had left the shores of Maryland. This new army not only contained the veterans of the battles for Maryland and Delaware, but also refugee democrats from New England and New York, Irishmen, A brigade of Cuban infantry, a few regiments of French and Spanish Foreign Legion troops from Africa, plus two regiments of Louisiana Natives (free men of color & mulatto) Infantry.

troops disembarking at Annapolis

It was President Wise who ordered that men of free color would be part of the liberation of Maryland and Delaware. This was Wise and Bismarck’s way of showing Europeans that the South was willing to change that also bills in Congress were being pushed through to allow slaves the opportunity to gain their freedom for them and their families for time served.
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Chapter 53: Karl Marx
Karl Marx the head of Germany’s Revolutionary Guard saw the opportunity in North America. Marx saw the election of Chase as President and the struggle in the United States as similar to the Revolution of 1848. Marx approached the Minister to Germany David Davis in later 1861 with a proposition of 30,000 well train volunteers. Initially Davis rejected the offer as he feared what conditions would be attached, and sent the information to his boss Secretary of State Adams.
With the disaster on the Rappahannock Adams along with the consent from President Chase began negotiations with Marx. Fearing a General war in Europe Marx worked in the shadows as Foreign Secretary Freidrich Engels and Germany’s President Karl Schapper couldn’t give Germany’s many enemies an execute to break the peace in Europe.
Showcasing Communist efficiency within hours of an agreement of assistance Marx had the first of 30,000 revolutionary volunteers heading to ports in the north. Marx himself would set out to the New World to help mold events shaping in North America.

 

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Chapter 54: On to Washington
News arrived at the encampment of the Army of Northern Virginia that the President signed the Negro Enlistment Act allowing men of free color to join the ranks of the CS Armed Forces in early August. For the average soldier there was hardly any reaction. Some officers refused to command such troops and made disparaging remarks toward the government. General Lee under orders from President Wise had those officers arrested immediately and sent to Richmond.
On August 15th Lee moved Kirby-Smith’s Corp to Fairfax with instructions to begin setting in for a siege of Washington. With Thomas and Longstreet’s Corps Lee moved to Leesburg and crossing the Potomac, and finally joining forces with Jackson’s Corp. Lee’s goal was to join forces with Beauregard and hopefully bag any Union troops inside of Washington. With an enlarged artillery train thanks to Burnside’s Folly Lee hoped to intimidate whoever commanded the Union’s capital into surrender. Unfortunately for Lee the commander of Washington D.C. was Edward McCook and he had no intention of surrendering. Once the Union government was safely on its way to New York City McCook prepared for a siege. McCook knew time was needed in order to buy time for McClellan to raise a new army. With Lee already closing in on Washington, Jackson moving slowly along the Potomac, and now Beauregard marching up from Annapolis McCook displaced what population out of DC, and put his troops on half rations.
By August 25 Confederate forces had encircled the city and Confederate warships blocked any access from the sea. The next day Beauregard arrived after pushing Union forces under Benjamin Butler out of Baltimore, and securing Lee’s rear. Lee now sent an offer to negotiate unnecessary bloodshed to McCook which he declined. Lee’s orders from Richmond were simple eject all Union troops from Maryland and Delaware and re-establish Confederate government in the states. Before he could do that Lee would try the city’s defenses.

 

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Chapter 55: Order of Battle
Commander Maryland Front: General Robert E. Lee
Army of Northern Virginia: General George Thomas
First Corp: Lt Gen. James Longstreet
Anderson’s Division: Maj. Gen. Robert Anderson
Wilcox Brigade: Brig Cadmus Wilcox
Wright Brigade: Brig Ambrose Wright
Mahone Brigade: Brig William Mahone
Ward Brigade: Brig George T. Ward
Posey Brigade: Brig Carnot Posey
Holmes Division: Maj Gen Theophilus Holmes
Pickett Brigade: Brig George Pickett
Kemper Brigade: Brig James Kemper
Garnett Brigade: Brig Richard B. Garnett
Jenkins Brigade: Brig Micah Jenkins
Light Division: Maj Gen A.P. Hill
Gregg Brigade: Brig Maxey Gregg
Field Brigade: Brig Charles Field
Pender Brigade: Brig William Pender
Archer Brigade: James Archer
Branch Brigade: Brig Lawrence Branch
Thomas Brigafe : Colonel George Thomas

Second Corp: Lt. Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson
Stonewall Division: Maj Gen Charles Winder
Stonewall Brigade: Brig William Baylor
Taliaferro Brigade: Brig William Taliaferro
Gibbon Brigade: Brig John Gibbon
Starke Brigade: Brig William Starke
Ewell Division: Brigadier Willian T. Sherman
Taylor Brigade: Brig Richard Taylor
Early Brigade: Brig Jubal Early
Lawton Brigade: Brig Alexander Lawton
Hoke Brigade: Brig Robert Hoke
Garnett Division: Maj Gen Robert S. Garnett
Heath Brigade: Brig Henry Heath
Tompkins Brigade: Brig Christopher Q. Tompkins
Wharton Brigade: Brig Gabriel Wharton
Echols Brigade: Brig John Echols

Third Corps: Lt. Gen. Edmund Kirby-Smith
Hill Division: Maj Gen D.H. Hill
Ridley Brigade: Brig Roswell Ripley
Rodes Brigade: Brig Robert Rodes
Garland Brigade: Brig Samuel Garland
Anderson Brigade: Brig George B. Anderson
Colquitt Brigade: Brig Alfred Colquitt
McLaws Division: Maj Gen Lafayette McLaws
Kernshaw Brigade: Brig Joseph Kernshaw
Semmes Brigade: Brig Paul J. Semmes
Cobb Brigade: Brig Howell Cobb
Barksdale Brigade: Brig William Barksdale
Ransom Division: Maj Gen Robert Ransom
Ransom Brigade: Brig Matt Ransom
Ramseur Brigade: Brig Stephen Ramseur
Pettigrew Brigade: Brig Johnston Pettigrew
Corse Brigade: Brig Montgomery Corse

Fourth Corps: Lt Gen William Frederick Hohenzollern
Blumenthal Division: Maj Gen August von Blumenthal
von Wurttemburg Brigade: Brig August von Wurttemburg
von Manteuffel Brigade: Brig Edwin von Manteuffel
Romangus Brigade: Brig Frederick Romangus
Johnson Brigade: Brig Edward Johnson
East Tennessee Division: Brig Felix Zollicoffer
Byrd Brigade: Col. Robert Byrd
Vaughn Brigade : Brig John C. Vaughn
Carter Brigade: Col. James P.T. Carter
Brownlow Brigade: Brig William G. Brownlow
Walker Division: Maj Gen John G. Walker
Polish Brigade: Brig Wlodzimierz Krzyzanowski
de Cespedes Brigade: Col. Oscar de Cespedes
Cortina Brigade: Brig Juan Cortina
Cooke Brigade: Brig John R. Cooke

Cavalry Corps: Lt Gen Phillip St. George Cooke
Stuart Division: Maj Gen James Ewell Brown Stuart
Lee Brigade: Brig W.H.F. Lee
Hampton Brigade: Brig Wade Hampton III
Robertson Brigade: Brig Beverly Robertson
Ashby Division: Brig Turner Ashby
Jones Brigade: Brig William “Grumble” Jones
Jenkins Brigade: Col. Albert Jenkins
Imboden Brigade: Col. John Imboden
Lee Division: Maj Gen Fitzhugh Lee
Rosser Brigade: Col. Thomas Rosser
Martin Brigade: Brig William T. Martin
Pegram Brigade: Brig John Pegr

Army of Eastern Maryland: Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard
Fifth Corps: Lt. Gen. Robert Anderson
Whiting Division: Maj Gen William H.C. Whiting
Hohenzollern Brigade: Brig Frederick von Hohenzollern
Law Brigade: Brig Evander Law
Anderson Brigade: Brig George Anderson
Wofford Brigade: Brig William Wofford
Smith Division: Maj Gen G.W. Smith
Blanchard Brigade: Brig Albert Blanchard
Merryman Brigade: Brig John Merryman
Elzey Brigade: Brig Arnold Elzey
Maryland Light Brigade: Brig George Steuart
Hohenzollern Division: Maj Gen Frederick Charles Hohenzollern
Hohenzollern Brigade: Col. Frederick Karl Hohenzollern
von Kameke Brigade: Brig George von Kameke
von Memerty Brigade: Col. Albert von Memerty
von Sandrart Brigade: Brig Karl Gustav von Sandrart

Sixth Corps: Lt Gen John B. Magruder
Bee Division: Maj Gen Bernard E. Bee
Roosevelt Brigade: Col. Theodore Roosevelt Sr.
Bartow Brigade: Brig Francis Bartow
Polignac Brigade: Brig Prince Camille de Polignac
Irish Brigade: Brig Francis Meagher
Jones Division: Maj Gen David R. Jones
Drayton Brigade: Brig Thomas F. Drayton
Colston Brigade: Brig Raleigh Colston
Pryor Brigade: Brig Roger Pryor
Featherston Brigade: Brig Winfield Featherston
Blair Division: Maj Gen Montgomery Blair
Du Pont Brigade: Brig Lamont Du Pont
Wise Brigade: Brig Henry A. Wise Jr.
Lockwood Brigade: Brig Henry Lockwood
Kameke Brigade: Brig George Kameke

Cavalry Division: Maj Gen Dabney Maury
Johnston Brigade: Brig Bradley T. Johnston
Bayard Brigade: Brig Thomas Bayard
Davidson Brigade: Brig Henry Davidson

Spanish Contingent: General Juan Prim
Spanish Foreign Legion
French Contingent: General Patrice de MacMahon
1st Division: Maj Gen Felix Douay
French Foreign Legion
Corp d’ Afrique

 

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Chapter 56: Kansas Territory
Following their victory at Wilson Creek Confederate General Albert S. Johnston sent Major General Sam Houston and his Indian Mounted Division into Kansas Territory to investigate rumors of a Union force coming down from Fort Leavenworth. Houston for his part was not in good health. After being in the saddle for the last couple of month, and at the age of 69 years old the old warrior was determined to put his family and his Cherokee family before himself.
On July 3, 1862 scouts from Houston’ s force found the advance guard of Brigadier James Blunt Army of the Frontier at Locus Grove, Indian Territory. The battle saw Colonel Douglass Cooper Brigade route and capture over 300 Union prisoners plus a dozen wagons loaded with supplies.
Houston now crossed into Kansas Territory fighting a pitched battle at Baxter Spring, and following the Union troops all the way to Fort Scott. Here Blunt and some 1200 of his troops were besieged by Houston and his native troops. Blunt sent urgent pleas for reinforcements from many directions hoping for relief.
On July 22, 1862 Sam Houston died in his sleep. The death of their commander unnerved the native troops. Mourning his death many warriors now accompanied Houston’s body back to Texas. Command of Houston’s Division now turned to Brigadier Albert Pike who feared an enraged Kansas militia might fall on them at any moment decided to return to the Indian Territory, but not before laying waste the area of by confiscating anything of military value.

 

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Chapter 57: Lee’s first attempt
On September 1-3 Lee began probing attack along the Washington fortifications. On the first day of battle Kirby-Smith’s Corps gained ground on the Virginia side of the Potomac, but this was only McCook shortening his lines. On the second Lee sent Longstreet’s Corp to reduce supported by Jackson. Fighting was fierce around Fort Stevens where Brigadier Daniel Sickels, a New York Democrat, was determined to show many who questioned his loyalty to the Union. Troops from Lafayette McLaws Division tried three times to force their way into the fortress only to be sent reeling back, but on the fourth try McLaws himself led the charge that finally took the fort. The victory cost McLaws his life as well as one of his brigade commanders Paul Semmes. Sickles for his part was severely injured during the fighting when a cannon ball took off his left leg. As he was being withdrawn from the battlefield Sickles confidently smoked a cigar as he was taken to the hospital that his honor had been restored.

Brigadier Daniel Sickles who would later see promotion to Major General and a rich political future in the coming years

Lafayette McLaws who led the final charge that took Fort Stevens

Breaching Fort Stevens

 

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Chapter 58: von Moltke takes initiative
The confederate situation by July of 1862 was stagnant. Confederate General Helmut von Moltke commander of all CS Armies between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River protecting the Confederate heartland from invasion. With McClellan leaving for the east von Moltke was also drained of troops as fear of an Mexican invasion into the southwest brought new fears.
As new recruits were being sent up from the Gulf States von Moltke tasked Lt. Gen. Braxton Bragg with training the new recruits before assigning them to new commands. Bragg, a very cantankerous officer excelled eat his new task. Before too long Bragg’s recruits were filling out fresh regiments, and officers to lead them were also put through the trials by Bragg himself.
By early August von Moltke’s Army of Central Kentucky was ready. From Bowling Green cavalry commanders Brigadiers Nathan Bedford Forrest and John Hunt Morgan were sent upon the Union’s lines of communication.

Nathan Bedford Forrest

John Hunt Morgan

For the first couple of weeks of August while Forrest and Morgan raided central and eastern Kentucky von Moltke planned his next move. After consulting with the head of the Department of Railroads Major General Isaac Trimble von Moltke planned on a lighting strikes.

Head of the Department of Railroads Major General Isaac Trimble

Using Trimble’s railways von Moltke reinforces Confederate forces in Eastern Kentucky and Western Kentucky from Nashville. Guarding the Cumberland Gap and the gateway to Knoxville, Tennessee was Lt. Gen. George B. Crittenden Army of Eastern Kentucky. Now reinforced Crittenden moved toward Frankfort and Lexington, Kentucky.
In Western Kentucky General Jefferson Davis in command of the Army of Mississippi took his army for a show down with his counterpart Union commander Charles F. Smith. Tying down a potential source of reinforcements for the coming battle.
With the departure of McClellan to the east Major General Don Carlos Buell took over for his boss, but was left with fewer troops and less reliable commanders as these were shipped eastward. With a threat to the Kentucky state capital developing Buell was forced to dispatch troops under Brigadier James Garfield to reinforce the troops in the region.
The ensuing battle of Richmond, Kentucky saw troops under Crittenden route Brigadier Mahlon D. Mason much greener troops before Garfield could arrive on the field causing Mason to accuse Garfield of sabotage his troops based on political party associations (Mason was a Democratic Indiana state legislature while Garfield was allied with Republican Party). A political battle that would transcend into the future.

Union Brigadier Mahlon Mason

Brigadier James Garfield

 

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Chapter 59: Buell vs von Moltke
Fearful of his rear Buell withdrew into Central Kentucky, but not before von Moltke struck at the town of Hopkinsville, Kentucky on September 13, 1863. It was at the Battle of Hopkinsville where von Moltke unleaded his whole army upon Buell. The Union’s Army of the Cumberland would of been destroyed if it wasn’t for the rearguard action of Brigadier Philip Sheridan that saved Buell’s army.

Philip Sheridan hero of the Battle of Hopkinsville

After Hopkinsville Buell and von Moltke would skirmish all the way back to Louisville where fresh conscripts had dug fortifications. Buell and Garfield now joined forces to protect the Union’s hold on the gateway across the Ohio River.

 

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Chapter 59: Confederate Empire
With the coalition of Central American countries supported by Washington brought the Confederate commander in Nicaragua into a dilemma. Major General John Quitman, the head of the Knights of the Golden Circle (KGC), had tried to run for President of the United States and the Confederacy and failed. As a consultation prize he was awarded a Major Generalship and tasked with protecting Nicaragua. Almost immediately Quitman began to show his age at 61 years old the leader of the KGC left many daily operations to his younger subordinate officers. One in particular Captain William Quantrill began to shine.
After joining the KGC in 1859 he began a lifelong battle with abolitionist cause. Excelling in guerrilla tactics against followers of John Brown. With peace somewhat coming to the Nicaraguan countryside in 1860 Quantrill marries a local girl, and is expecting when war begins again. Abolitionist raiders burn his homestead to the ground and during a gun battle Quantrill’s wife and unborn baby are killed. With forces gathering again Quantrill took up the cause and offered his services to the Confederacy.

William Quantrill

By the summer of 1862 Quitman’s health issues was preventing him from effective command and requested to be relieved of command. Richmond dispatched Brigadier John S. Bowen to take over the military situation in Nicaragua.
Bowen was a graduate of West Point, and had resigned from the military to join guerrilla band protecting southern settlers in Nicaragua. Returning at the offset of hostilities Bowen offered his services to the Confederacy, and commanded troops in von Moltke’s Army of Central Kentucky. Having ties to the KGC Bowen was given authorization to bring any and all KGC commands under Confederate control.

Brigadier John S. Bowen

With the coalition of Central American countries of Coast Rico, El Salvador, and Honduras invading Nicaragua Bowen divided his forces sending a smaller force to hinder Honduran forces so he could focus on the Coasta Rican Army.
On August 15, 1862 Confederate forces soundly defeated Costa Rican forces at the Battle of the San Juan River. After capturing the President of Costa Rico’s brother Jose Mora Porras Bowen invaded Costa Rico itself. After capturing the capital of San Juan Bowen met with opponents of President Porras, and began to set up an opposition to the President. With Costa Rico out of the way Bowen moved northward and invaded Honduras. Fighting in the jungles of Honduras soon turned into a stalemate, but after grinding down Honduras’ small army Bowen would continue his fighting well into 1863 when reinforcements arrived to help carry the capital of Tegucigalpa. French & Spanish marines would later work with Bowen now promoted to Lt. General after soundly defeating all three members of the coalition, and established puppet governments in their place.

 

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Chapter 60: Army of the Susquehanna
By early September 1862 McClellan stationed himself in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania and began creating a new army from scratch. The Army of the Susquehanna would be McClellan’s baby. Troops pulled from the western fronts were selected by McClellan himself, and their officers were loyal to him as well as they knew nothing but victory from the west.
To command the remnants of the Army of the Potomac McClellan sent his most trusted subordinate Major General William Rosecrans to Philadelphia where disorganized depleted regiments mingled with unruly green troops. Rosecrans mission was to protect Philadelphia, and get the Army of the Potomac ready for the offensive for 1863.
All of this was contingent on the Washington garrison holding out and Lee preoccupied with the siege. With the coming Mid-term elections of 1862 President Chase pressured McClellan for a victory, but Little Mac (as his troops referred to him) refused to budge. When in late September when Confederate horsemen under Brigadier Turner Ashby raided into Central Pennsylvania all the way to the outskirts of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania McClellan was forced to dispatched his own cavalry under Brigadier David Stanley who was able to chase the raiders back into Maryland, but after considerable destruction to the countryside. Stanley’s western horsemen were the first to stand toe to toe with the vaunted cavalry of the Confederate Eastern Armies.

Brigadier David Stanley

Stanley would remain in the area to help bolster morale of the populace as the coming elections would see Democratic gains as signs of war weariness began to show.

 

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Chapter 61: Fall of 1862
Following the military defeats in the Eastern and Western Fronts citizens went to the polls in the fall of 1862. News of Union victory under Major General Henry Halleck at Cape Girardeau didn’t sway many voters and saw democrats take control of the House of Representatives. Republican politicians were able to secure minor victories in New York City as military law kept the Democratic Political Machine: Tammney Hall from using Irish immigrants to secure the election. Republican James Wadsworth was able to secure the Governorship of New York thanks to Major General Ben Butler’s stewardship of the elections. Democrats locally and nationally cried foul of the election even so far as Illinois Senator Stephen Douglass promising to run for President to challenge the heavy handed ness of the Chase Administration. Republicans also cried foul in Southern Pennsylvania where Democrats made gains stating that Southern sympathizers influenced the election. These charges would continue into the election of 1864 where Republicans would label Democrats as the arm of the Confederacy.
With a Democratic Congress and a Republican Senate Chase now saw interference with his agenda, but was determined to carry on the war.

 

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Chapter 62: Lee’s Second Attempt
During the months of October and early November Lee began pressing north of the Potomac. On November 14, 1862 Confederate naval and land forces joined with their Franco-Spanish allies in assaulting Fort Foote guarding the naval access to Washington. This just left Battery Rodgers protecting the approaches to Alexandria, Virginia. The Battle of Fort Foote saw A.P. Hill’s Light Division committed to the attack where a pre-dawn assault led by Brigadier Charles Field was severely repulsed costing Field’s his life and seeing Hill sending in Brigadier Dorsey Pender’s Brigade of North Carolina Tar Heels to salvage the day where after a day of constant fighting Fort Foote was evacuated.

Pender’s Brigade marches into battle at Fort Foote

Pender’s capture of Fort Foote set the stage for amphibious assault on Battery Rodgers. On November 16, 1862 Confederate, French, and Spanish Marines attacked the fortifications guarding Alexandria harbor. In what would later generations call the CSMC (Confederate States Marine Corp) finest hours troops under Colonel Lloyd Beall made landings under fire, and after fierce hand to hand combat secured the harbor for the next stage of the siege.

The first Commandant of the CSMC Lloyd J. Beall

Hoping to cut off the Union troops south of the Potomac Lee now sent troops under the former King of Prussia Lt. Gen. Wilhelm Frederick Hohenzollern into Alexandria to capture the bridges into Washington D.C.

Wilhelm von Hohenzollern commander of the IV Corp during the siege of Washington

Wilhelm even at the age of 65 was determined to reclaim glory for himself and his family’s name since being forced to abdicate 14yrs earlier. Prussian professionalism now took over and troops under Maj. Gen. August von Blumenthal now began to attack the fortifications outside of Alexandria from the rear. By November 20 the siege lines along the Virginia side of the Potomac was greatly reduced.
Confederate troops now bagged over some 4500 prisoners as the siege was beginning to take its toll on the defenders. For the Union commander McCook now faced new problems of being bombarded from the sea and desertions.

 

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Chapter 63: Lee’s Finale
With the coming of December Lee continue the siege and now used his naval might to begin shelling of the city and its fortifications. With deserters coming into Confederate lines daily Lee began to paint a picture of desperation in the city. McCook and his troops had by now earned the respect of Lee and many of his lieutenants, but with reports of Union strength gathering in New Jersey and Pennsylvania Lee needed the siege to end as quickly as possible with little loss of life.
On Christmas Eve Lee allowed small amounts of couriers into Union lines. For weeks McCook had been begging for Rosecrans and McClellan to come to his rescue but to no avail. On Christmas morning after receiving another round of excuses for not coming to their aid McCook finally sent a flag of truce to General Lee. Terms were simple Unconditional Surrender. McCook a broken man accepted, and after the signing of paroles food was sent into the city as Confederate troops quietly marched without fanfare into the city. After almost three months of siege Washington had finally fell to the Confederate Army. Later that day Lee sent a message to President Wise offering up Washington D.C. as a Christmas present to the nation.