The Pig War: A TL
- Thread starter Veranius
- Start date
17 - Part 1
17- Snowball Kimball
Joseph Johnston watched the Fall of Richmond with unease. His army had been gutted in the Thunder Battle, and his hold on the Shenandoah Valley was close to breaking. He thus led a slow retreat from Winchester to Lexington, being half-heartedly pursued by a Union army led by Nathan Kimball. Lincoln had sent Reynolds and his army to join with McDowell at Richmond, to tighten the noose on the Confederacy. Therefore, he didn’t give much thought about Johnston’s small remnant in the Valley. However, Lightning Jackson wasn’t done yet.
Taking nearly half of Johnston’s remaining 9,000 men, Jackson marched north from Harrisonburg, where Johnston had encamped, and met Kimball near New Market. A series of bloody and inconclusive skirmishes filled the better part of a month, until Kimball felt confident that he could steamroll through Jackson. Jackson’s men had decreased to less than 3,000, and were running low on ammunition. At this time, however, a great snowstorm swept through the Appalachians. Both sides were taken by surprise, as it was rather early in the season. Yet Kimball pressed on, and so began the Great Snowball Fight of Linville Creek.
Confederate troops under Robert Rhodes had fortified themselves on a nearby hill, overlooking the creek. A detachment of Union troops under Abner Doubleday arrived, and began to fight to secure the hill. When Rhodes’s troops ran out of ammunition, Rhodes said to “use anything you can to throw ‘em back!” So, some enterprising soldiers fashioned snowballs and threw them. Doubleday withdrew his men, confused, before redoubling the assault. By this point, no Confederates had any ammunition left, so they all resorted to using snowballs. When some Union troops also began using snowballs, it caused a chain reaction, in which over the span of a few minutes, everyone was throwing snowballs. Doubleday, instead of reprimanding his troops, used the conundrum to his advantage, eventually encircling all of Rhodes’s troops. He then called for Rhodes’s surrender, which Rhodes complied with, after Doubleday offered the same terms offered to Longstreet.
Jackson eventually regrouped with Johnston around Roanoke, at the far end of the Valley. While Jackson’s attack lessened the pressure on Johnston, the damage caused was worse, as far fewer experienced soldiers were left in the army. Johnston ultimately retreated to Danville, where he joined with the shattered remnants of Richmond’s defenders, bringing his strength up to barely 15,000. On Christmas Day, 1862, Johnston was surrounded by a Union army eight times larger, led by Stonewall Sherman. Faced with those odds, as well as a sheer lack of provisions, Johnston was forced to surrender. Lincoln was overjoyed at the news, calling it his “best Christmas gift I could have ever gotten” (1). The fighting in the East was all but over.
(1)- Sherman always gives the best Christmas gifts.
18 - Part 1
18- Vicksburg
Following the capture of Little Rock, the Union commanders faced a difficult choice. They could continue with the Anaconda Plan and secure the Mississippi, but that meant they would have to attack Vicksburg, which was rapidly being strongly fortified. Or they could cross the Mississippi at Memphis and invade the heartland of the Confederacy. In the end, they did both. However, they delayed until the fall, waiting to secure total control over Arkansas as well as receiving reinforcements. A three pronged assault was eventually agreed upon. John Fremont and the Army of the Frontier would march into Louisiana, trying to coerce Texas into abandoning the Confederacy, while also distracting Sterling Price’s Army of the Red. Henry Halleck would take Memphis and march to Corinth, Mississippi, to distract Albert Sidney Johnston and John Breckinridge, as well as trying to coerce Tennessee to abandon the Confederacy. Meanwhile, Grant would march to Vicksburg and try to take it.
Grant led his 35,000 man Army of Arkansas to Vicksburg, marching long and hard to try to surprise the Confederates. When they arrived, they found a huge supply train about to enter the city, which was promptly seized. Grant conducted psychological warfare on the Confederates, having a massive banquet just outside of cannon range, while the defenders were forced to ration. After that small victory, Grant got to work. It was at Vicksburg that Grant’s military genius was revealed. For the next three months, he built an elaborate series of trenches surrounding the city, while also attempting to dig a canal to divert the Mississippi and make Vicksburg useless. He fired his cannons randomly, and throughout the night, trying to deny the defenders any sleep. In an effort to sneak David Farragut’s warships past Vicksburg, Grant launched a massive bombardment, seemingly preluding an attack. However, all it did was drive the defenders from watching the river, and Farragut’s ships passed without any loss. Grant also sent three massed cavalry raids into Louisiana and Mississippi, paralyzing any Confederate force ready to help Vicksburg. Eventually, on Christmas Day, 1862, just as Grant was preparing to storm Vicksburg, John Pemberton surrendered. Since Port Hudson had been stormed a week prior, Union control over the Mississippi River was total.
Following the capture of Little Rock, the Union commanders faced a difficult choice. They could continue with the Anaconda Plan and secure the Mississippi, but that meant they would have to attack Vicksburg, which was rapidly being strongly fortified. Or they could cross the Mississippi at Memphis and invade the heartland of the Confederacy. In the end, they did both. However, they delayed until the fall, waiting to secure total control over Arkansas as well as receiving reinforcements. A three pronged assault was eventually agreed upon. John Fremont and the Army of the Frontier would march into Louisiana, trying to coerce Texas into abandoning the Confederacy, while also distracting Sterling Price’s Army of the Red. Henry Halleck would take Memphis and march to Corinth, Mississippi, to distract Albert Sidney Johnston and John Breckinridge, as well as trying to coerce Tennessee to abandon the Confederacy. Meanwhile, Grant would march to Vicksburg and try to take it.
Grant led his 35,000 man Army of Arkansas to Vicksburg, marching long and hard to try to surprise the Confederates. When they arrived, they found a huge supply train about to enter the city, which was promptly seized. Grant conducted psychological warfare on the Confederates, having a massive banquet just outside of cannon range, while the defenders were forced to ration. After that small victory, Grant got to work. It was at Vicksburg that Grant’s military genius was revealed. For the next three months, he built an elaborate series of trenches surrounding the city, while also attempting to dig a canal to divert the Mississippi and make Vicksburg useless. He fired his cannons randomly, and throughout the night, trying to deny the defenders any sleep. In an effort to sneak David Farragut’s warships past Vicksburg, Grant launched a massive bombardment, seemingly preluding an attack. However, all it did was drive the defenders from watching the river, and Farragut’s ships passed without any loss. Grant also sent three massed cavalry raids into Louisiana and Mississippi, paralyzing any Confederate force ready to help Vicksburg. Eventually, on Christmas Day, 1862, just as Grant was preparing to storm Vicksburg, John Pemberton surrendered. Since Port Hudson had been stormed a week prior, Union control over the Mississippi River was total.
19 - Part 1
19- Corinth
Halleck’s first opposition after crossing into Tennessee came from Corinth. Johnston had made it his base of operations for the entire Western Theater, and it was there where he had most of his remaining troops after Jonesboro, about 45,000. Halleck’s Army of Tennessee was a similar number, but had higher moral and was better equipped. Halleck didn’t want to leave Johnston in Corinth, however he was under political pressure to take Nashville and secure Tennessee, especially from Senator Andrew Johnson. So, Halleck split his army, sending 10,000 under Don Carlos Buell to Nashville while taking his remaining force to besiege Johnston. Johnston was under pressure to relieve Pemberton at Vicksburg, however he thought that Halleck posed a greater threat. So, at Corinth, the two armies met. In a rare occasion in the Civil War, the Confederates outnumbered the Union, yet Johnston did not know. Due to faulty intelligence, he thought that Halleck had brought his full strength against him.
The Battle of Corinth was the last gasp of the Confederacy. Johnston’s entrenched positions were able to hold against repeated Union assaults. The Confederates only fell back when they ran out of ammunition. Halleck was unable to completely trap Johnston’s army, and the Confederates were thus able to escape. However, Johnston abandoned Mississippi, falling back to Montgomery Alabama, especially after several massed cavalry raids wrecked his supply lines and convinced him that the Union was right on his tail. Halleck let Johnston go, understanding that Johnston was in no condition able to be a threat. He instead occupied Jackson Mississippi, paving the way for total Union control over the land around the Mississippi River.
Halleck’s first opposition after crossing into Tennessee came from Corinth. Johnston had made it his base of operations for the entire Western Theater, and it was there where he had most of his remaining troops after Jonesboro, about 45,000. Halleck’s Army of Tennessee was a similar number, but had higher moral and was better equipped. Halleck didn’t want to leave Johnston in Corinth, however he was under political pressure to take Nashville and secure Tennessee, especially from Senator Andrew Johnson. So, Halleck split his army, sending 10,000 under Don Carlos Buell to Nashville while taking his remaining force to besiege Johnston. Johnston was under pressure to relieve Pemberton at Vicksburg, however he thought that Halleck posed a greater threat. So, at Corinth, the two armies met. In a rare occasion in the Civil War, the Confederates outnumbered the Union, yet Johnston did not know. Due to faulty intelligence, he thought that Halleck had brought his full strength against him.
The Battle of Corinth was the last gasp of the Confederacy. Johnston’s entrenched positions were able to hold against repeated Union assaults. The Confederates only fell back when they ran out of ammunition. Halleck was unable to completely trap Johnston’s army, and the Confederates were thus able to escape. However, Johnston abandoned Mississippi, falling back to Montgomery Alabama, especially after several massed cavalry raids wrecked his supply lines and convinced him that the Union was right on his tail. Halleck let Johnston go, understanding that Johnston was in no condition able to be a threat. He instead occupied Jackson Mississippi, paving the way for total Union control over the land around the Mississippi River.
TheScottishMongol
Banned
Well-written TL with a unique POD? I'll be watching this.
It does look like the CSA is going to lose fairly quickly, no need for the Emancipation Proclamation ITTL, sad to say. Slavery might well persist for a while after the war.
It does look like the CSA is going to lose fairly quickly, no need for the Emancipation Proclamation ITTL, sad to say. Slavery might well persist for a while after the war.
TheScottishMongol
Banned
Well, in the popular opinion, yes. But things never got desperate enough ITTL for Lincoln to free the slaves as a political strategy during the war. I'm sure abolition will occur, but of course it will be under different circumstances.
My lord, what a unique TL with an even more unique POD.
Quite the interesting Civil War you have had up until now as well.
Quite the interesting Civil War you have had up until now as well.
20 - Part 1
20- The Rock of Chickamauga
While Grant was attacking Vicksburg and Halleck was attacking Corinth, Buell was busy taking Tennessee. He stuck out from Memphis towards Nashville, before marching to Knoxville. His slow consolidation of Tennessee proved bothersome to Andrew Johnson, who wanted Buell to take out John Breckinridge at Chattanooga as soon as possible. Therefore, Buell detached a division under George Thomas to deal with Breckinridge.
Thomas elected to move from Murfreesboro and bypass Chattanooga via Davie’s Cross Roads, and attack Breckinridge from the rear. Thomas reached the crossroads unopposed, yet felt his first opposition as he marched towards Lee and Gordon’s Mill along Chickamauga Creek. Breckinridge tried to halt Thomas’s advance, wanting to defeat Buell’s army separately. However, Thomas gained his nickname the Rock of Chickamauga when he resisted several bloody attacks from Breckinridge, forcing the Confederates back to Chattanooga.
Thomas then stormed Confederate positions on Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge outside of Chattanooga in the so-called “Battle Above the Clouds”. With Buell advancing from Knoxville, Breckinridge surrendered. Buell and Thomas then advanced to Ringgold by late November, opening up Georgia to invasion.
While Grant was attacking Vicksburg and Halleck was attacking Corinth, Buell was busy taking Tennessee. He stuck out from Memphis towards Nashville, before marching to Knoxville. His slow consolidation of Tennessee proved bothersome to Andrew Johnson, who wanted Buell to take out John Breckinridge at Chattanooga as soon as possible. Therefore, Buell detached a division under George Thomas to deal with Breckinridge.
Thomas elected to move from Murfreesboro and bypass Chattanooga via Davie’s Cross Roads, and attack Breckinridge from the rear. Thomas reached the crossroads unopposed, yet felt his first opposition as he marched towards Lee and Gordon’s Mill along Chickamauga Creek. Breckinridge tried to halt Thomas’s advance, wanting to defeat Buell’s army separately. However, Thomas gained his nickname the Rock of Chickamauga when he resisted several bloody attacks from Breckinridge, forcing the Confederates back to Chattanooga.
Thomas then stormed Confederate positions on Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge outside of Chattanooga in the so-called “Battle Above the Clouds”. With Buell advancing from Knoxville, Breckinridge surrendered. Buell and Thomas then advanced to Ringgold by late November, opening up Georgia to invasion.
21 - Part 1
21- Down on the Bayou
Louisiana’s recapture began when David Farragut captured New Orleans in late April. Farragut then moved up the Mississippi, capturing Baton Rouge by mid-May. Farragut then assisted Grant’s effort to interdict and blockade Vicksburg, culminating in Vicksburg’s surrender. With that, the Mississippi River fell under total Union control. However, Confederates still held on in parts of the state. With that in mind, Halleck had sent John Fremont to deal with them.
Fremont occupied Shreveport, forcing Sterling Price to abandon Monroe. Price evaded Fremont until they reached Lake Charles, in the southwest corner of the state. There, Price gave battle, as it was either that or be pushed into the Gulf of Mexico. Fremont tore through Price’s exhausted troops, even capturing Price himself. The broken Army of the Red was soon mopped up by cavalry forces Fremont sent out. With that, effective resistance in Louisiana ended.
The occupation of New Orleans was an interesting debacle. After Farragut left, Benjamin Butler moved in. His rule was harsh and extreme, evident in his General Order 28, which made any women showing disrespect to a Union soldier liable to be treated as “a woman of the town plying her avocation”. However, when Lincoln got word of Butler’s actions, he quickly reprimanded him, as Lincoln saw that the war was ending. Lincoln wanted his plan of reunification to work, and didn’t want the South to be annoyed with him that much. Butler therefore redoubled his efforts to fix the city, focusing on a massive cleanup effort to turn New Orleans into one of the most healthy cities in the United States, a model for the rest of the country’s development.
Louisiana’s recapture began when David Farragut captured New Orleans in late April. Farragut then moved up the Mississippi, capturing Baton Rouge by mid-May. Farragut then assisted Grant’s effort to interdict and blockade Vicksburg, culminating in Vicksburg’s surrender. With that, the Mississippi River fell under total Union control. However, Confederates still held on in parts of the state. With that in mind, Halleck had sent John Fremont to deal with them.
Fremont occupied Shreveport, forcing Sterling Price to abandon Monroe. Price evaded Fremont until they reached Lake Charles, in the southwest corner of the state. There, Price gave battle, as it was either that or be pushed into the Gulf of Mexico. Fremont tore through Price’s exhausted troops, even capturing Price himself. The broken Army of the Red was soon mopped up by cavalry forces Fremont sent out. With that, effective resistance in Louisiana ended.
The occupation of New Orleans was an interesting debacle. After Farragut left, Benjamin Butler moved in. His rule was harsh and extreme, evident in his General Order 28, which made any women showing disrespect to a Union soldier liable to be treated as “a woman of the town plying her avocation”. However, when Lincoln got word of Butler’s actions, he quickly reprimanded him, as Lincoln saw that the war was ending. Lincoln wanted his plan of reunification to work, and didn’t want the South to be annoyed with him that much. Butler therefore redoubled his efforts to fix the city, focusing on a massive cleanup effort to turn New Orleans into one of the most healthy cities in the United States, a model for the rest of the country’s development.
22 - Part 1
22- The Death of the Confederate States
Following Joseph Johnston’s surrender at Danville, North Carolina had no defense against the onslaught that was the Union. Therefore, Governor Zebulon Vance petitioned the North Carolina legislature to leave the Confederacy and rejoin the Union. Joseph Brown, governor of Georgia, and Francis Lubbock, governor of Texas, also followed suit. With the loss of Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana due to military occupation, the Confederate States of America was reduced to Florida, Alabama, and South Carolina.
Alexander Stephens, President of the Confederacy, saw with dismay the collapse of the Confederacy. He knew there was no way to save it by then. So, on February 8th, 1863, one year to the day after the Confederacy’s creation, Stephens formally dissolved the country. Alabama quickly became the independent Republic of Alabama, South Carolina formed the Republic of South Carolina, yet Florida voted to rejoin the Union, as it saw the writing on the wall. With Halleck, Grant, and Buell closing in, the Republic of Alabama lasted only two weeks, before the state legislature was captured outside of Montgomery.
South Carolina, however, resisted calls to stop fighting and declared “to wage eternal resistance in the name of the Southern States and their just Cause”. In early April, the Union began a massive invasion of the state, with the Army of Virginia (150,000 men) led by John Reynolds invading from North Carolina, the Army of the West (120,000 men) led by Halleck (split into the Army of Tennessee (led by Buell), the Army of Mississippi (led by Grant), and the Army of Georgia (led by Halleck)) invading from Georgia, as well as a seaborne invasion at Charleston led by David Farragut. Against them was the Army of South Carolina, 30,000 or so strong, led by Joseph Kershaw. Charleston fell quickly when Farragut issued his famous order (1) and his ships stormed into the harbor, overwhelming any resistance. The Union armies quickly converged upon Columbia, where Kershaw was planning on leading a last stand. However, on April 9th, 1863, Kershaw decided to surrender. With that, the American Civil War came to a dramatic yet anti-climactic close.
(1)- “Damn the torpedoes! Full steam ahead!”
Following Joseph Johnston’s surrender at Danville, North Carolina had no defense against the onslaught that was the Union. Therefore, Governor Zebulon Vance petitioned the North Carolina legislature to leave the Confederacy and rejoin the Union. Joseph Brown, governor of Georgia, and Francis Lubbock, governor of Texas, also followed suit. With the loss of Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana due to military occupation, the Confederate States of America was reduced to Florida, Alabama, and South Carolina.
Alexander Stephens, President of the Confederacy, saw with dismay the collapse of the Confederacy. He knew there was no way to save it by then. So, on February 8th, 1863, one year to the day after the Confederacy’s creation, Stephens formally dissolved the country. Alabama quickly became the independent Republic of Alabama, South Carolina formed the Republic of South Carolina, yet Florida voted to rejoin the Union, as it saw the writing on the wall. With Halleck, Grant, and Buell closing in, the Republic of Alabama lasted only two weeks, before the state legislature was captured outside of Montgomery.
South Carolina, however, resisted calls to stop fighting and declared “to wage eternal resistance in the name of the Southern States and their just Cause”. In early April, the Union began a massive invasion of the state, with the Army of Virginia (150,000 men) led by John Reynolds invading from North Carolina, the Army of the West (120,000 men) led by Halleck (split into the Army of Tennessee (led by Buell), the Army of Mississippi (led by Grant), and the Army of Georgia (led by Halleck)) invading from Georgia, as well as a seaborne invasion at Charleston led by David Farragut. Against them was the Army of South Carolina, 30,000 or so strong, led by Joseph Kershaw. Charleston fell quickly when Farragut issued his famous order (1) and his ships stormed into the harbor, overwhelming any resistance. The Union armies quickly converged upon Columbia, where Kershaw was planning on leading a last stand. However, on April 9th, 1863, Kershaw decided to surrender. With that, the American Civil War came to a dramatic yet anti-climactic close.
(1)- “Damn the torpedoes! Full steam ahead!”