TL: Thomas' Visit

Or, How Lee's Loyalty to the Union Lost it the Civil War

:eek::eek::eek:

yes that's what you're thinking. Please forgive the BP, as it does not quite cross the border into ASB (i think very slightly and perhaps temporarily changing two character's character [at least the standard interpretation thereof] plus one mechanical failure is considered acceptable), but beyond that everything goes smoothly. Then again, this is only my second TL (and first reasonable one) so maybe not...

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Paperwork, Lee thought. The world is coming apart, and there still has to be paperwork.
True, Arlington never had the best of money considerations, especially in the last couple of years, before he had been given charge of everything. However, Lieutenant-Colonel Robert E. Lee had friends in high places, starting of course with commander-in-chief Winfield Scott, plus he usually never asked for any favors. So in 1857, when he asked for an extended leave to deal with matters, it had been granted readily.
If only the world had stayed as simple as it was then.
Rumors were flying all over the state, about which way the secession vote would go. Lee fervently hoped Virginia would stay loyal to the Union, but everything he knew about inflamed emotions and successful rabal-rousers suggested otherwise.
And if they do vote to go, he reminded himself, I must go with them. For the only thing I care more about than protection of this country is not fighting against my home. This of course meant Virginia.
Ah well, that was all being decided down in Richmond. In the meantime, there were still lingering debts to be paid, and of course all details about the latest year's farming had to be recorded. And two more of the sl....farm-hands....had been freed just the other day, so Lee had to get hired help now.
God's will, he thought. Lee was not an ardent supporter of slavery, but then, regarding exactly when it would end, it was in God's hands. For himself, whenever the sl...hands...had somewhere to go, he gladly freed them.
Just then, he hear a horse trotting up to the house (mansion, really). Lee looked out the window in the study, and there, in uniform, was his good friend and sub-ordinate, Captain George Thomas.
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"Bless me, George, how good it is to see you, especially at a time like this. Come on in...or is this on army business?" Too much nowadays was. This was just like what led to that affair at Harper's Ferry two years ago, except the messangers was JEB Stuart.
"Nooo," Thomas said slowly, "I don't think that this is army business. Not yet, anyway. Purely social. And I have something important to discuss with you."
"All right, then. Come in and relax. I'll have Agnes bring us some tea."
That business having been taken care of, as well as the friendly formalities, Thomas got right to it. "Robert, what do you think they will decide down in Richmond?"
"I am not wholly sure." Always better to play it safe with...political...matters, even with friends. "A few months ago, definitely they would solidly support legality. Now, after Fort Sumter...I just don't know. I fear for it, dreadfully."
"I do too. It's damnably lucky that no one was killed down at Charleston."
"True. But, then, surely you can't expect untrained militia, even with a few good leaders, to become artillerymen of the highest calibre."
"Robert, I was in artillery, you remember that. But yes, you're quite right." He sighed. "All I know is that if those hot-headed politicians in Richmond decide the way they oughtn't, then they can't expect every so-and-so from the regular army to agree with them."
"That's true every time you mix politics with war. It's not..." Then the implications of that statement hit Lee hard. "...Tom, are you serious? You will stay in the army if Virginia goes?"
"I will hate myself for it, yes, but I would hate myself more if I left the United States and fought for bird-brained politicians down in Richmond."
"But your home..."
"My home is the United States of America. I know the arguments, but if you go for States' rights then you have to go for County's rights, and Town's rights. It makes no sense."
"Wouldn't you at least sit the war out? Why fight against Virginia?"
"Why not? If she manages to elect people who can't see beyond their nose and who actually want to secede, then she must have some pretty rotten people in her. On the other hand, maybe it's just more politics. I do know that some counties from up in the mountains said that if Virginia seceedes from the United States, then they will seceed from Virginia. Now that's what I call rabble-rousing. Those people in the west..." his voice trailed off. Thomas was stuck in thought, staring right past Lee, not at anything. He was thinking hard and thinking fast.
"George, are you okay..."
Thomas was still quiet for a few seconds. Then:
"Yes, I'm fine. And so are you, Robert. There is a way out of this mess. You are not about to fight your country's flag."
"How did you....never mind. I wish I could join you, but if my state fights against my country, and it looks like it will, then I must defend Virginia."
"But it's not."
And Thomas explained his idea to Lee. He was shock still for a long while.
Then, "George, that is brilliant! I will try just that. Of course, he might not approve, but he'd better. Will you accompany me to Washington City?"
"Well, I'm already three days late to my post at the Carsile barracks. There was a train failure at..."
"Never mind that. This is officially army business now, and I hereby order you to be my official aide for the duration of this trip, which will only be a few hours anyway."
Thomas smiled. "Let's go.
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Actually, thought Lee as he rode along, it's a bad idea. I'll feel like a traitor to everyone. Or then, is it to no one?
Oh well, Scott probably won't allow it anyway.
 
OT: just because this thread has "TL" in the title, doesn't mean people can't post on it. i'm still new....enough....and would love comments.
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Paperwork, Scott thought. The world is coming apart, and there still has to be paperwork.
True, this was the army. True, the army absolutely loved paperwork, perhaps even more than the government. Except of course, when there was a war on. Was there paperwork during the march to Mexico city, oh no there was not! I could brevet whoever I wanted, get supplies without sending one telegram to Washingto City and another to Vera Cruz. And a third to the Mexicans.
But then, as soon as we camped in the city for one night, then there were mountains of papers to deal with. That's why God invented clerks.
I'm too old to be a clerk, especially at a time like this.
Word had just reached Washington City literally minutes before. Virginia had decided upon secession, and by a fair margin. True, it was a sectional vote. But General Winfield Scott had hoped, and even cautiously expected, Virginia to be true. It would have made his job much more reasonable.
Oh no, I would never leave with them. Scott was loyal to the United States first. But now of course he would be under a cloud of suspicion, and the administration would probably let him quietly retire. And he even had a plan for squashing the rebellion. It wouldn't have even needed to be changed much, for the upper South.
The Anaconda Plan. Yeah, it's slow, but it will work. Now, with an untrained President and no good senior Generals, whatever they'll implement will surely be bad.
All our best men were from Virginia. Damn it!!!
Suddenly, in walked his new clerk. Everyone was new, because half the staff had gone south with their native states. "Beg pardon, sir," the boy said, "but Colonel Lee has just walked in, in quite a state, and wishes to see you."
Speak of the devil. Scott was temporarily shocked. "Ah, yes...well, show him in, right away."
"Yes, but sir, there's also..."
"Right away!"
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"Haven't got all day," Scott muttered. "Ah, Colonel Lee, come in, come right in, have a seat."
"Yes, sir." Lee spoke softly, his face looked to be in turmoil. He glanced at the door. "Um, sir, before anything else, may I ask to have someone else shown in? He's right outside."
"Why not? The world's in confusion, might as well join in. Ah, hello, captain...Thomas." Scott impressed himself. He didn't remember just every line-officer's name. But, then, Thomas had worked at West Point for a time. "I will assume that you two come jointly, so you will forgive me if I address myself to the colonel mostly, captain?"
"Not at all, sir." So, Thomas did have decorum. First test passed. He looked very amused, yet also slightly worried, as if looking forward to an event he knew only half of. Have to ask about that. Later.
"So, to business. Colonel Lee, what brings you to Washginton City at such a fine time as this?"
Lee grew even more uneasy. He spoke haltingly. "Yes. Well, General Scott, sir, I was wondering if we could discuss my...position...or at least future developments, in the event that Virginia commits a grave sin."
Always a good officer. Come to tell me in person. Most other people resigned right away, and took their posts with them. "Well, Colonel, I am very sorry to inform you of this, but I believe that the sin you are thinking of has just occurred. The great state of Virginia, as of maybe an hour ago, was when word arrived here, just voted to secede from the United States of America."
At this, Lee visible paled. Even Thomas, who seemed more steady than Lee, looked distressed. He's from Virginia too. I forgot. That makes all of us. What irony. Lee glanced upward, and said something Scott couldn't hear. Probably a prayer.
At last, Lee seemed to compose himself. "Well then, sir, all the more reason for me to make my demand now, rather than later."
Now, Scott was somewhat surprised. So you're not leaving!?? Demand!!??Couldn't ask either of those outright, of course. He frowned. "It seems unusual for a semi-retired line officer to make demands of their Commander-in-Chief. Seems to me it should be the other way around. In fact..."
He looked amongst some of the papers he had just been writing. "Ah, here we are. Yes. I was in fact just composing an order to you, to award you the rank of Major General and give you field command of the armies that will crush this rebellion. Of course, you could refuse. But then, there would only be one honorable thing to do afterwards."
Now Lee was startled. "Major General? Sir, I couldn't...if I did refuse that order, it would be on grounds of inexperience. Surely there are people above me still?"
Can't leave it hanging any longer. Not after a response like that. "There probably are still a few, though not so many anymore. But that's beside the point. Are you saying that you would, in fact, remain honorable and in the army, even though you would be fighting against your native state?"
"Sir, I am saying no such thing. I am saying that I would, in fact, remain honorable and in the army. I will never raise up arms against my home."
Forget surprised. There's no descriptive word strong enough for Scott's thoughts about that statement. "Well then, Mr. Lee, I am confused. How is it possible that you remain loyal to both the United States and Virginia, if they will be fighting against each other?"
Lee opened his mouth to speak, then stopped. He looked confused as well. "Perhaps I should let Captain Thomas answer that question. After all, it was his idea."
"All right, Colonel, as you wish. Well, Captain Thomas, how does Lee intend to remain honorable to everyone at a time like this?"
Now, Thomas broke out into a definite smile. "Very slyly and technically, sir. You see, I was thinking that in this war that's coming up, there will be fighting all over the country, in Virginia, somewhere out west, maybe Tennessee if they secede as well, even further west too, plus the organizers, supply officers, the navy, and everyone else. Now, for Colonel Lee to remain loyal to the United States he must not join or fight for any of the seccessionites. However, very technically, for Colonel Lee to remain loyal to Virginia, he simply must not fight directly against her."
This man has the mark of a military genius. And a lawyer.
"And this means, strategically speaking, that were Colonel Lee to be assigned somewhere far away from Virginia, say in Tennessee or out west there, he would be leading United States forces against the rebels in those states, rather than against Virginia. And since the United States does not recognize secession, or the re-establishing of a government thereafter, it does not matter if Virginia joins the Confederacy, the same argument works. And so..."
"And so, General," Lee interrupted, "in such a scenario I could be loyal to both my state and my country. And that, sir, is my demand, simply stated: to be guarenteed a military post somewhere that will never be directly fighting Virginia."
My God. Scott now turned over all the implications in his mind. I don't know if I would keep my honor that way, but it's certainly ingenius. Highly irregular....yet easy to implement....no real detriment to the army....He was quiet for some time. "Would you be satisfied, Colonel, if I were to make that a written guarentee issued at my initiative, rather than as a demand from you?"
Lee visible looked relieved. And almost giddy. "Yes sir, that would work perfectly. My God, I never thought you would agree to it."
"Well, it is quite unusual, and technically I don't think I should. But, practically, if you're happy with the solution, then I love it. I'm just glad to have you staying in the army. You are the best damned officer I've ever known."
To which Lee visible humbled. I knew he would. He always has.
"Captain Thomas, would you like to have a similar guarantee?"
"No, thank you sir. I appreciate the initiative, but I took an oath to defend this flag, and I intend to do it."
Why is this man still a captain? "Well then, as you like it. So it's settled. I suppose the next issues become housing and transportation. We could send a small force to Arlington as protection, but in the long term..." just then, something from the conversation came back to Scott. "...wait a moment. Captain, I did hear correctly that this agreement was your idea?"
Now, for the first time, Thomas looked entirely shaken. "Yes, sir, you did."
"Then I can assume that you met with the Colonel on your own initiative."
Thomas stared at his feet. "Well, sort of. You see sir, I was en route with my companies to the Carsile barracks in Pennsylvania, my new place of assignment. But the train I was on, the coupling to the last few cars broke near Manassas junction. So most of the troops got there alright, but I..." he glanced up. Scott was furiously writing something. He glanced up as well. "Go on, I am listening."
"Yes sir. Luckily, I had my horse with me, so I intended to ride to Carsile, but it was late, so I laid over at Manassas, and heard all throughout town that the secession vote was about to be called. I thought we would be sane, but feared the worst, and, well, Arlington was almost en route. I had to stop there, even to just hear what Lee would do. The idea hit me while we were talking."
"Yes, Captain, I understand entirely. Forgive me, I must apologize for something. I forgot to have someone send you your latest orders." He handed to Thomas the paper he had just been writing. Thomas read, letting Lee look over his shoulder.

Special Orders of General Winfield Scott, No. 139.
To: Captain George Thomas, Carsile barracks, Pennsylvania.
Sir, you are ordered to proceed with all possible haste to Arlington, Virginia, to serve as escort and aide to Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Lee to a meeting in Washington City with the commanding general, all orders to come directly from the commanding general until further notice. Please get Lee there as quickly as possible. This order supercedes any existing.

For the first time, all three men smiled.
 
Interesting scenario. I don't know enough about Lee's personality to know how plausible this is, but it is a remarkable piece of casuistry.

Be fascinating to see more.

As Scott says, 'Why is this man only a Captain'
 
this is my 3rd attempt to post the next part, my internet failed twice, just as I completed the first two.
Ah well. I will generally try to do a post a day, becaue I can subdivide the TL into lots of sections.
Now, for the requisite newspaper post:

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Dateline: Washington City, April 17th, 1861
Extra: Virginia Makes 8, Secession Continues

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Dateline: New York City, April 18th, 1861
Commander-in-Chief Talks Strategy
Exclusive Interview with Winfield Scott

It is ironic, to say the least, that our Commander-in-Chief comes from Virginia, a state openly in rebellion. Well, you don't need to worry about the loyalty of Brevet Lieutenant General Winfield Scott. He has viewed the United States as his home since before a lot of you were born.

You might have to worry about his age and his health, though....

....end the rebellion peaceably. However, this plan has been decried in the White House and in public.

"Calling it the Anaconda Plan," Scott said, "is a lack of respect for those of us who hope for a relatively bloodless war."

This reporter was skeptical. Surely, with President Lincoln's call for 75,000 new troops, we should be able to almost bloodlessly and certainly effortlessly crush the rebellion through simple invasion, and it will take far less than the year the Anaconda Plan requires.

To this, Scott went on a long tirade: "...people forget war's bloodiness to soon.....inexperienced militia cannot perform like the regular army.......the cream of our officer strength is in the south...."

That last, at least, is certainly true. And it is equally true that even the best troops need good officers to lead them. Unfortunately, the southern states have disproportionately many good officers, especially in high command. The list includes Generals David Twiggs, Albert Sydney Johnston, and even the "President" of the "Confederate States of America" himself, Jefferson Davis.

However, not all southern-born generals left with their native states. Scott spoke of two men in particular:

"...Colonel Lee is the best damned officer I have even known, better even than myself, though he'll never admit it. We have an agreement: I won't send him into action directly against Virginia, and he'll be the best field officer out west this country has seen in a good long while. The plan was given by another good Virginian, Captain Thomas."

Robert E. Lee was then promoted to Major General. Rumors have it that he will be given operational command of the theatre west of the Appalachian Mountains. George H. Thomas, promoted to Colonel, will be given a brigade in the forces soon to assemble near Washington City. Probably such fast and jumped promotions show favoritism, but I think they are well-deserved.

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Dateline: Chicago, May 21st, 1861
12 States? No, says Kentucky
Kentucky Officially Declares Neutrality
General Lee orders it be observed
Troops assemble at Camp Clay and Camp Joe Holt
Rumored Rebel Fort-Building on Rivers

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Dateline: Richmond, July 3rd, 1861
Victory at Hoke's Run
"Stonewall" Jackson Hero
"Hero" Longstreet's involvment being investigated
Major General Patterson Wounded

It seems as if our forces cannot lose, what with first General (at the time Colonel) Daniel H. Hill's victory at Big Bethel Church on the Peninsula, and now this.

On July 2nd, our Valley Army, commanded by Brigadier General Joseph Johnston, enjoyed a signal victory against the Union forces commanded by Major General Robert Patterson.

The two Union brigades commanded by Abercrombie and Thomas, a traitorous Virginian, numbering about 6,000 men, advance yesterday on our forward position, held by the brigade of Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, numbering about 3,000 men. Thomas was under orders from Johnston to fight a delaying action and retire on our main position at Martinsburg.

However, on June 30th, Jackson received a telegram from an unlikely source: Colonel James Longstreet, brigadier in the forces commanded by General P. G. T. Beauregard at Manassas Junction. Longstreet had been called to Richmond to discuss becoming military advisor to his excellency, President Jefferson Davis (who had originally wanted Robert E. Lee to fill this post, but he too is a traitorous Virginian). While in Richmond, Longstreet heard orders being sent to Johnston's army, wholly defensive in nature. Longstreet knew Jackson from the Mexican affair of 14 years ago, and he knew that they both knew that offensive action was what was required.

So Longstreet telegraphed Jackson and said as much. We do not know how much Longstreet overstated his own authority to "suggest" an offensive course of action to Jackson, nor do we know how much Jackson re-interpreted this as authorization.

In any case, after falling back a few miles, Jackson halted just behind Hoke's Run and created a strong defensive position. The Union forces attacked Jackson's line throughout the day, but it held like a stonewall. Towards evening, Major General Patterson came to the Union front line, to rally his men for another assault. He was felled in the melee. Latest word is that his wounds are not mortal, but that he will be out of action for a long time (possibly permanently given his age).

Our losses are 9 men killed and 24 men wounded. Union losses are estimated at 100 casualties, not counting 17 prisoners. Jackson received a commendation and a promotion to Brigadier General. Longstreet is being investigated but most likely will simultaneous receive a reprimand and a promotion. Johnston announced that he would begin large-scale offensive operations as soon as practicable.

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Great, now I have to create the Valley Campaign of 1861:rolleyes:.
 
OT: okay, 200+ views and only 1 real comment? I am shocked.

But I will press on. Just to keep it interesting, here is the traditional textbook post...

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from: A History of Martinsburg and Surrounding Area
Washington City Publishing, Crowe and Co. (c)1994

Chapter 14: The 2nd Revolutionary War Begins

Pg. 219

.....It became something of a game in Washington City, who to assign the blame to. It was clear immediately that Patterson himself was ruled out because of his wound. Abercrombie, unfortunately, was next in command and so was able to write the post-battle report, where he spoke very poorly of Colonel Thomas:

"...clearly did not know what he was doing. He seemed continuously confused, often asking regimental commanders what he should order. He was very lucky to be able to fight on a mostly static front..."

This bald-faced lie is contradicted in all other records. Corporal Martin Bloomberg, of the 15th Pennsylvania Volunteers, recorded in his diary later that day (the 2nd):

"Our line didn't give way only because good old Pap Thomas was right there with us. He rode up and down [the line] always with total coolness and solidness, even helping some of Aburcrumby's (sic) boys, I think the 2nd. And when we retired, the Colonel still glared south."

This view, of course, never made its way to Washington. Instead, officials were cleanly able to blame Thomas for his actions in the skirmish at Hoke's Run, even going so far as threatening court-martial charges. The fact that he hailed from Virginia certainly did not help his case....

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from: The Shenandoah Valley in the 2nd Revolutionary War
Richmond Publishing, Polk and sons, (c) 1987

Chapter 4: The Battle of Opequon

Page 87

Abercrombie, however, was not seriously giving thoughts to defense. He had became embroiled in the short-lived Thomas court-martial, in its early stages. Private records indicate that in fact he was planning to leave for Washington on July 7th, leaving Major Kennan of the 12th Pennsylvania Reserves in temporary command. In any event, he was lounging in his tent when the attack began.

The battle was the brain-child of Colonel (later General) JEB Stuart, commanding Johnston's cavalry wing. He managed to capture a few prisoners in lone engagements to the southeast of the Union encampment, who revealed the great tensions between Abercrombie and Thomas, as well as pointing out that the right, or northwest side, of the encampment lay open to attack. Stuart conceived his idea: a strong attack on that flank while his cavalry prevented escape to the south or east. If all went well, the whole Union force would be forced up agaisnt Opequon Creek, and with Confederate cannon dominating the two available fords, surrender in short order.

Johnston spoke with Stuart on the 4th, had plans finalized early on the morning of the 5th, and issues the orders later that day. Of his four brigades, three would participate in the attack, with General Barnard Bee's brigade and some artillery remaining near Martinsburg as reserve and in case of Union raiders. JEB Stuart led the secondary column consisting of his cavalry and Colonel Bartow's brigade, and they reached their positions at 2 PM on the 6th. Johnston himself led the main attack, with General Kirby Smith's brigade leading, and Stonewall Jackson's men right behind. This would present a main attacking force of some 7,000 men.

Ironically, it was fortunate for the Union cause that Thomas' brigade was on the southeastern side of the camp, for had it been caught up in the initial attack it surely would have been swept aside piecemeal.

As it was, Johnston managed to keep his attack a complete surprise. Kirby Smith arranged his forces such: the 1st Maryland Batallion on the left, hugging the creek, then the 10th Virginia, the 3rd Tennessee, and Jackson's 33rd Virginia on the right, temporarily transfered to keep both lines about the same size. The rest of Jackson's men formed in battle line behind Kirby Smith's, with the 5th Virginia on the creek, and then the 2nd Virginia, 27th Virginia, and 4th Virginia going to the right. They were in position by 4:30 PM.

This combined force was supported by 5 artilley pieces, another 8 were with JEB Stuart in slightly more open ground. However, Thomas had picked his position well, and there was an impassible ravine between Stuart and his part of the camp, so while it did form a barrier to Union retreat it also formed one to Confederate advvance. This proved very unfortunate, as Stuart's men could have turned the tide of the battle.

Abercrombie's men were almost entirely unprepared for an attack from the northwest. Many were having an early dinner, the rest lounging around, having a break from the endless weeks of drill, some picking blackberries. Private Hawley Turner of the 23rd Pennsylvania recorded:

"It was a lazy afternoon. No one was expecting a Rebel attack, more like they were playing cards. I opted out, having lost too many times resently (sic), and went ahunting (sic) for the blackberries. I even took my gun, going with regulatiuns (sic), though I only had one round in it, and got into the thick of the woods. I saw a few other men there, doing pretty much the same thing. Well, there we were, and right out of the blue I heard a report, and one man flinched and his face was as white as a fair-weather cloud. We all looked up, all four or five of us, and not more than a hundred yards away was a mass of them Rebs, all in nice battle-line and suddenly they yelled and started charging. We ran back to camp, and one man fell, but there weren't many shots yet. The Rebs were charging, not ashooting (sic). And I figured this out pretty quick, and so right at the edge of camp I kneeled down, looked at their force, aimed right at a man's chest, and fired, and I saw the man next to him go down. Amused, I was for maybe an instant. Then my wits came back to me and I ran as fast as my legs would carry me."

The right half of Smith's line emerged right at the heart of Abercrombie's camp. The Union men were terrified, and didn't even put up a ghost of a defense. Many men ran for the creek and the un-named ford to the north, but the 1st Maryland Batallion got there first. Dozens of men died trying to swim across the river

However, as usual in these early battles, the coherency quickly came apart. The 1st Maryland Batallion and half of the 10th Virginia still hugged the creek, now in deep woods between the two camps. Smith himself led the right half of the 10th Virginia, the 3rd Tennessee and the 33rd Virginia through the southern end of Abercrombie's camp, reaching more woods by about 4:50 PM. This left a hole in the middle of Smith's line, and Jackson angled his advance to fill it. Smith's men were ordered to halt, though many had anyway, looting Abercrombie's half of the camp. One man found three fresh loaves of bread and reportedly said that he'd give two to his colonel if he could get out of the attack to enjoy the other.

The problem was that once the impetus went out of Smith's attack, it couldn't be regained easily. By about 5:05 PM, Jackson's line had reached and then passed Smith's, pulling with it parts of the 10th Virginia on both sides, although in the center a large portion of the 2nd Virginia was "occupied" trying to wipe out a few companies of the 69th Pennsylvania that managed to be surrounded on only two sides, with a short but steep rockface to their rear. The upshot was that it was more than half an hour into the attack by the time any Confederates reached Thomas' half of the camp.

Thomas, meanwhile, had been busy. Everyone in his camp heard the action going on to the NW. There was no panic since they were not under direct fire. At about 4:40 Thomas gave the order to fall in by regiment. There were some anxious moments when the 47th Pennsylvania saw Confederates across the ravine, but Thomas correctly deduced that they were not the main force. He then conducted a successful ruse. He sent two artillery batteries to the east, and had them fire upon Stuart's men. There were extremely light casualties, but Stuart naturally thought that that was the main position of the Union camp. His 8 guns fired upon the batteries, and an hour-long artillery duel followed, with light casualties on both sides, mainly in the gun crews. Under this cover, Thomas was able to form his brigade almost a half-mile to the northwest, out of range of the Confederate batteries, without their being aware of it. He positioned his right flank agaisnt Opequon creek, then ran the line along the edge of some woods, bending it in a little bit, then ran his center two regiments through the camp, and the fifth and final regiment, the 47th, held a slightly refused left flank amongst some more woods.

Because of the curve the Opequon take from NW-SE to W-E in the space between Abercrombie's and Thomas' halves of the camp, Jackson ended up advancing again along the creek when he encountered Thomas' command. Jackson had by now ordered both halves of the 10th Virginia to be a general reserve, and had picked up a large portion of the 3rd Tennessee, so was advancing on a 4-regiment front with almost 4,000 men, slightly more than half of the attacking force. Thomas had about the same force, but his men were mainly in the woods and defending. Jackson ordered a general advance, but only to long-range firing, to test out Thomas' line. Casualties on both sides were relatively light, but it was clear to Jackson that Thomas was not about to retreat.

Johnston, who rode up to Jackson's line by around 5:20, had the same thought. He thus ordered Jackson to oblique his line to the left, to be more in the woods, and continue the long-range firefight. Meanwhile, Smith had finally gotten his brigade moving again. Johnston ordered it to advance on Thomas' left. The left half of Smith's line, comprising Jackson's 2nd Virginia and parts of his own 2nd Maryland Batallion and the rest of the 3rd Tennessee, would hit Thomas across the opening of the camp. The only regiment on the right by now was the 33rd Virginia, so Johnston ordered Jackson's reserve of the the 10th Virginia to cross behind Smith's line and come in on the right. Since Jackson's line was now shortening, he picked his section of the 3rd Tennessee to be the new reserve. By now, it is amusing to note, both Generals commanded about half of each brigade. It took time to move the 10th Virginia, so it was about 5:40 when the second attack began.

Three factors worked in Thomas' favor. First, Jackson's initial advance had hugged the creek, and so never encountered the 47th Pennsylvania on Thomas' far right. Thus, when Smith expected to be flanking Thomas, he was really just engaging his main line. Second, due to how the previously placed artillery batteries had moved into position, they fired in groups of four. In the confusion of battle, Thomas presumably thought, 2 simultaneous cannon blasts is really just as loud as 4. So he ordered 2 cannons from each of the groups to come back to the main camp, and buttress the main line. Third, and most importantly, Thomas had sent messangers out after Abercrombie's retreating brigade, to try to find out exactly what was going on, to get some orders, and to see if they could be rallied. After an hour of being far away from the fighting, an amalgam "regiment" consisting mainly of men from the 23rd and 2nd Pennsylvania had been formed, and was being led back to the fighting by Major James Garfield. He was smart and tried to keep his force in the woods and out of the hottest part of the fight, so he went around the rear of Thomas' camp and past the artillery duel before arriving in the fight.

Smith's left regiments came on in fine style, led by the General. They formed a very impressive sight coming into the clearing, but Thomas gave them a warm welcome. His 4 recently moved artillery pieces fired in sequence at Smith's line. They did not cause many casualties, but had a somewhat more substantial moral effect. Smith's men fired agaisnt Thomas' main line for half an hour, until 6:10. Smith tried to keep his men most efficient, but they were soon unnerved by the steadiness and calmness of the Union line.

This was largely responsible to Thomas himself. He rode up and down the line in very Jackson-esque style, occasionally giving short advice or moral encouragement, but mostly he just stared at Smith's line. Once, the men of the 5th Pennsylvania looked to be wavering, but Thomas got down off his horse, went right up to their line, looked calmly at the Confederates, drew his pistol very slowly, excruciatingly slowly, all very calmly. Finally, without any change in expression, he fired. By now most of the regiment was looking at him. So too were some of Smith's men. One, in fact, shot at Thomas. It went slightly high. Thomas didn't even flinch. Instead, he then turned to his troops and said "Well, boys, now let me see you do it." At once, the entire Union line cheered, but only for a moment. The officers of the 5th calmed it down extremely quickly, and according to one Lieutenant "...had our line give two good volleys before the Rock remounted." Thus Thomas' immortal nickname, the Rock of Opequon, was born.

Meanwhile, Smith's right regiments, the 33rd Virginia just into the woods, and the 10th Virginia farther in, were surprised to encounter the 47th Pennsylvania. The 47th had taken advantage of the woods and time given them by building a substantial breastwork. Even though outnumbered almost 2 to 1, the Confederates could not get aroud their flank, due to its being refused, and instead both sides took moderate casualties in a short-range firefight, which surprisingly managed to keep its order.

The "turning point" of the battle came at 6:05 PM. Major Garfield's amalgam regiment had finally reached the battlefield, without Thomas' knowing it, far to the left of the 47th Pennsylvania. At the peak of the 33rd's and 10th's assault, Garfield's regiment arrived on their flank and rear. It fired one volley, and then charged. Hearing this, the 47th soon charged as well. This combined assault from front and back was too much for Smith's tired and still relatively green troops to stand. They promptly retreated to the west, exposing the flank of Smith's remaining troops in the middle of the camp. Without much planning, Thomas' line began an attack en echelon, from left to right. The tired Confederates were now quite willing to retire from the field, but in fact at some points parts of Smith's men were almost entirely surrounded. His commanded broke entirely, and Smith was wounded while trying to rally his men in the camp, and later captured.

The victorious Union regiments continued their assault towards Jackson's flank. He, however, took time to refuse his flank, and managed to not retreat when Thomas' left hit his right. However, he was now outnumbered, and with darkness settling in Johnston ordered Jackson to retire in good order to the west. All the while he was pressed by Thomas' pursuing force, but Stonewall held a good rear-guard and, if not retiring in good order, at least managed to avoid a total rout. By nightfall, Johnston's men were marching back to Martinsburg, and Thomas had command of the whole camp.

What in the world, meanwhile, had been happening to Stuart? He only had three regiments with him, and declined to attack if it was not needed. It wasn't until around 6 that he searched vigorously for a route through or around the ravine, but it took an hour to find one suitable for his men, and even then they would have to go slowly and in single file. By this time, the sounds of the battle indicated that Johnston's main force was withdrawing, so Stuarted opted not to advance into an unknown situation. He held his position, though, until orders came from Johnston at 8, to retire and cover the retreat of the army. That was an easy task, as Thomas did not pursue beyond the camp itself. His men were exhausted and hungry, and some were beginning to get low on ammuntion.

The inevitable court of inquiry found both Smith and Johnston guilty of "overly defensive behavior in battle", though both were soon dropped. The reason was because neither had been too defensive. They simply lost control of the battle once begun and then were victims of bad luck. Stuart, surprisingly, escaped all censure, probably because Johnston had nothing but praise for him, for suggesting a "course of action that, if the Almighty had allowed, would have won us the war in this theatre".

On the Union side, the Thomas court-martial was immediately dropped, and The Rock promoted to Brigadier General. Instead, in a reversal of roles, Abercrombie was put on trial, and, astonishingly, one of his best witnesses was Thomas himself, to whom "even the worst personal enmity pales in comparison to when the government tries to interpose itself too strongly in matters purely military". Indeed, the court-martial had until that point been strongly along party lines. However, Abercrombie was convicted on several minor counts and put on probation for 9 months. Thomas assumed temporary command of the Army of the Shenandoah.

Losses are difficult to measure, partly because of the rough battlefield terrain. The best current estimates are that the Confederates lost 83 men killed, 603 wounded, and 459 captured, the latter mostly from Thomas' flank attack, out of 7,000 engaged. On the Union side, records have that 154 men were killed, of whom 94 drowned in Opequon Creek trying to escape, 471 men were wounded, and 189 were captured or missing, over 150 from Abercrombie's brigade, out of 8,000 men overall and 4,000 from Thomas' brigade.

With historical perspective, it is now clear that Stonewall Jackson was easily the best commander the Confederacy had, while Thomas the Rock was the best commander the United States had, with the possible exception of Robert E. Lee. It is ironic that all three men came from Virginia. Sadly, history never got another chance to compare Thomas to Jackson directly, as they never again got to see each other on the field of battle.

-----------------------------------

oooooh, cliffhanger:).
 
Tegytsgurb

Very interesting. Not following the details fully as don't know enough about the war but intriguing idea to keep Lee on the union side. Have a couple of ideas as to how he 'loses' the war but waiting to see more. :)

Steve
 
Okay, rather continue with the story today (because I am bored and need a break), I decided to make a map of the Battle of Opequon, just to make everything "clear" - it is a bit confusing but certainly much better than 20-some-odd paragraphs of text.

and, OT:, 250+ views and maybe 1 post for every 100 views, if that. I am shocked!!! Not even someone who says they hate it!!??:D

THE BATTLE OF OPEQUON CREEK (July 6th, 1861)

The Battle of Opequon.jpg
 
OT: I will assume that anyone who is still even vaguely interested in this thread has turned away because it so far seems un-connected to the first gimmick (that the CSA wins the war directly due to Lee's loyalty). Well, to find out how, the story must go on until campaigning season, 1862 (and it gets worse for the CSA before it gets better).

Rather than spreading the rest of 1861-winter62 out over maybe a dozen posts (if this becomes a finished and popular TL, then I can fill in later), this one post will summarize everything.

_______________________________

July 13th, 1861: Thomas promoted to Brigadier General

July 18th-21st: Johnston removes army to Manassas Junction to aid Beauregard. Thomas has orders not to pursue.

July 21st: Battle of Bull Run: Confederate victory.
Differences from OTL:
-Longstreet was being punished and sent to the Confederate left (supposedly out of the way) midday on the 20th. He and Stonewall Jackson jointly hold the line on HHHill in the afternoon and get the credit for victory.

July 21st: Thomas, agaisnt orders, advances down the Valley, and destroys the one remaining brigade (what was left of K. Smith's). However, he now stops for fear of going too much against his orders.

July 23rd: Johnston arrives back in the Valley, Thomas pulls back slightly: end of Valley Campaign, 1861.

July 22nd: Stonewall Jackson promoted to Major General, James Longstreet promoted to Brigadier General.

Late July to Early August: exchange of letters between President Lincoln, Winfield Scott, and Robert E. Lee. They agree to keep McDowell in command for a while longer (Lee does most of the pushing).

August 13th: Jackson assigned command of the Shenandoah Department. For the rest of that year, he works on field defenses and has a number of skirmishes with Union forces as he slowly picks his better commanders (including, as in OTL, Ewell, Taliaferro, Colston, Lawton, etc. etc.)

August 4th-11th: Belle Plain Campaign, Part 1: Marginal Union Victory: McDowell now tries outflanking the Confederates to the south (instead of to the "north"), moving along Potomac River. After some minor and 1 fairly moderate battle, the newly forming Corps of the Potomac has posession of Belle Plain near Fredericksburg (overland).

August 14th-18th: Belle Plain Campaign, Part 2: Moderate Confederate Victory: Led by Joseph Johnston, the Confederate forces counterattack. Longstreet wins two decisive battles, and when all is said and done, McDowell falls back to Washington/Arlington Defenses (at least it is not a rout this time).

August 23rd: Longstreet promoted to Major General.

August 20th-September 15th: More Lee-Scott-Lincoln Letters. Lincoln demands a new commander for the AotP, mentioning that McDowell will remain on as corps commander. Lee forwards U. S. Grant and W. S. Rosecrans from his theatre, vetoing Sherman on the grounds of over-defensiveness, Buell and Halleck for similar reasons, and Pope on the grounds of pomposity. He also likes "Bull" Nelson, but wants him as commander of one of Lee's own armies. Lee also strongly forwarwds Thomas. This one Scott supports, but Lincoln vetoes a Virginian (with no offense to Lee, of course). Ultimately, they decide upon the victor of some moderate battles in NW Virginia: George B. McClellan.

Who, as in OTL, wastes the rest of that year training his men. Finally agrees to a watery movement like in OTL. Anyway...

September 3rd(?): As in OTL, Polk advances to Columbus, Kencucky, and makes a defensive position.

September 5th(?): As in OTL, Kentucky officially ends neutrality and favors Union. At this, Lee orders all of his units to advance into Kentucky. So does Albert Sydney Johnston, commander of Confederate theatre.

September 14th: As part of the exchange of letters, Lee petitions for Thomas to come west, if he cannot have a higher command than Shenandoah Valley in the east. Lincoln okays this. Thomas arrives at Camp Dick Robinson (OTL) on the 17th.

October 8th-9th: Battles of Bowling Green. Buckner disobeys orders from A. S. Johnston and goes raiding northward, capturing some supplies from Buell's and Halleck's divisions. Lee arrives on the 9th, and "almost-personally" leads the counter-attack, leading in a tactical Union victory, and Buckner falls back to the main defenses in Bowling Green. Lee declines to pursue.

Rest of the Autumn: However, most of the time, Lee is at Camp Dick Robinson, training troops with Thomas. Lee does travel and helps elsewhere, but there is a particular connection to Thomas' division. The men love both "The Rock" and "Robert E. Lee, said very reverently".

December 8th: After finally reading all of his troop dispositions and #s, Lee gives orders to his 4 principal armies in the west (Pope on the Mississippi, Grant on the Tennessee/Cumberland, Halleck/Buell outside Bowling Green, Thomas at Dick Robinson - and Sherman is supporting Halleck/Buell, and Rosecrans is supporting Pope, etc. etc., much similar to OTL) to advance, more or less simultaneously, against the Confederates in their front. Buell calls Lee to see the positions.

December 10th: Lee arrives at Bowling Green and, upon seeing the strength of the Confederate defenses, calls of that particular attack.

December 13th: Battle of Mill Springs - Major Union Victory, as Thomas defeats the combined Confederate forces of Crittenden and Zollicoffer, the latter mortally wounded. Confederates retreat through Cumberland Gap.

December 15th-January 6th, 1862: 1st Campaign of the Mississippi - Major Union Victory: Pope first flanks Polk out of Columbus, then captures Island No. 10 and Marietta(?). Polk falls back on Memphis.

December 25th-January 17th: Seige/Assault of Fort Henry and Seige/Battle of Fort Donelson - Major Union Victory: with a combined army-navy operation Grant captures both forts much as in OTL, highly praised by Lee, and so gets his nickname "Unconditional Surrender" Grant.

January 19th: A. S. Johnston orders all Confederates still in Kentucky to retreat. He leads the main force all the way past Nashville and to Corinth.

January 21st: Lee orders all Union forces to pursue.

Dispositions:

Bull Nelson works around Cumberland Gap, and in a minor campaign ultimately forces Confederates to retreat to Knoxville.

Hurlbert(?) and others hold fort at Nashville - the rail line to Murfreesboro, Tullahoma, and ultimately Chattanooga and Atlanta is, as of yet, not tested. Lee believes in attacking the Confederate Armies, not the Confederate Cities.

Pope excruciatingly slowly moves on Memphis. Ultimately Confederates retreat due to losses elsewhere. Nothing of note.

Meanwhile: Grant, Sherman, Halleck, and a few others assemble at Pittsburgh Landing, with Grant in command. Lee gives his approval to this assembly and is en route with Buell and Thomas' commands to create a combined force of nearly 60,000 men, or nearly double the Confederate force. However, until he arrives, the forces are about equal.

Despite Lee's orders to maintain a strong defensive position, no one really listens.

March 3rd (or so): Battle of Shiloh, day 1. With A. S. Johnston in command, and support from Beauregard, Bragg, Stephens, Hardee, Polk, Breckenridge, and just about the normal cast from OTL, the Confederates launch a surpirse attack on the Union position. Sherman's and Grant's divisions put up a defense but ultimately retreat. Prentiss holds the hornet's nest until nightfall, when he surrenders, having bought Lee precious time (very much like OTL). A. S. Johnston mortally wounded. President Davis laments: "The South has just lost her best General".

Night: Lee arrives in person, with the divisions of Thomas (unlike OTL, he has Thomas march in the lead position), Wood, Crittenden (there was one on each side like OTL), and Crump Wallace finally reaches the battlefield.

March 4th: Lee "almost-personally" leads the counterattack, with Thomas in the lead. no need for details: by the end of the day, Major Union Victory, definitely more than in OTL, althouh the Union force is still very bloodied and exhausted. Losses = maybe 9,000 for Union and 11,000 for Confederates. Lee-Thomas is now called the "Victory Duo" by anyone and everyone of note.

However, Lee is ordered to not advance any farther, and shift a sizeable force back to Nashville to counter the Confederate forces assembling there (prelude to Bragg assumes command of AotT and does his Kentucky invasion, although that is far down the road yet).

suffice it to say that the Union is as well off or better than in OTL in the west as of spring, 1862.

__________________________

Meanwhile, on the Virginia Peninsula, all is confusion. Even as McClellan is landing his troops at Fortress Monroe, command is breaking down. Joseph Johnston is in overall command, but Davis no longer trusts him. The problem is that there are too many next-level people to look to:

James Longstreet
A. P. Hill
D. H. Hill
John Magruder
Benjamin Huger
A few others I have forgotten

All Major Generals, most good commanders, all with their own division. Makes for a very muddled command structure.

And, even worse, in the Valley Stonewall still has his 17,000 men of his, Ewell's, and 1 more division against the forces of Banks, Reno, Fremont, McDowell, Stephens, Shields, and that "C" guy operating in W. Virginia, totalling maybe 80,000 troops. In other words, as bad as or worse than OTL.

_______________________________________

Next Post: The Valley Campaign of 1862 and the 1st Half of the Peninsula Campaign (and we will finally begin to get an inkling of why Lee's absence will win the war for the south...):)
 
Tegytsgurb

Don't know about others but I'm definitely still interested. Not knowledgeable enough about the conflict to comment on the sort of details your going into. However waiting for the dramatic development. Still a little uncertain as to whether it will be that the stronger Union position in the west with Lee in charge collapses drastically or the fact he's not in charge in the east will see a decisive victory for the south there. Although your last comments suggests its more his absence from the south that's going to be important.

Anyway, hope to hear more soon.

Steve
 
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