A Glorious Union or America: the New Sparta

[sloreck]

Just a thought. ITTL the French, instead of being pro-CSA neutrals are now very neutral or even pro-Union after the execution of Hunter etc. This MAY make the USA more willing to tolerate Maximillian especially if he seems to have some level of popular support and is not being sustained on French bayonets. A key factor will be the attitude of the UK - for much of the 19th century the "Monroe Doctrine" was sustained covertly by the UK/RN because maintaining the status quo was in the interest of the UK.

 

[TheKnightIrish]

I am currently casting around for troops for General Lee. I am scouring South West Virginia and North Carolina for brigades Lee can "borrow" to add to his Army which has already been increased by the garrisons of Richmond and Petersburg. I may actually post an order of battle tonight for Lee to invite views on whether its size is reasonable/feasible in terms of numbers of units...

 

[TheKnightIrish]

Leaders of the Army of Northern Virginia

Commanding General of the Army of Northern Virginia: Robert E. Lee

General Lee has added the garrisons of Richmond and Petersburg to his force. He has also scoured North Carolina and South West Virginia for every regiment he can safely add to his force. General Lee has reorganised his divisions and added a third corps to the army's force structure for the coming campaign...

First Corps Commander: James Longstreet

As Longstreet's Corps has borne the brunt of the action in the Ashland and Richmond campaigns fresh brigades have been attached, as has a fourth division.

Divisional Commanders: Richard H. Anderson, George Pickett, John Bell Hood, Cadmus Wilcox and Samuel French

Brigades of Anderson's Division: Mahone's (5VA), Wright's (3GA), Benning's (4GA), and Trapier's (4VA former garrison)
Brigades of Pickett's Division: Armistead's (4VA), Kemper's (5VA), Hunton's (5VA), and MacKall's (3VA fomer garrison)
Brigades of Hood's Division: Wofford's (3TX 1GA), Law's (5AL), Kershaw's (5SC), and Barksdale's (4MS)
Brigades of Wilcox's Division: G.T. Anderson's (5GA), Drayton's (3GA), Cumming's (5AL), and Perry's (3FL 1VA 1AL)
Brigades of French's Division: Daniel's (4NC), O'Neal's (5AL), Davis' (3MS 1NC), and Thomas' (4GA)

Wilcox has been promoted to command a division. Lee has also grouped together a Virginia division under Pickett. French's division has been gathered from the forces in south eastern Virginia and North Carolina. While Trapier's and MacKall's brigades are former garrison troops they have all fought at the Battle of Blackwater as part of the Temporary Corps.

Second Corps Commander: Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson

Second Corps maintains in 4 division structure with several personnel changes and the addition of a former garrison brigade.

Divisional Commanders: Richard S. Ewell, Ambrose Powell Hill, Charles W. Field and Jubal Early

Brigades of Ewell's Division: Lawton's (7VA), Gordon's (6GA), Steuart's (1MD 5VA), and Hay's (5LA)
Brigades of A.P.Hill's Division: Gregg's (4SC), Heth's (3VA), Archer's (2AL 3TN), and Pender's (4NC)
Brigades of Field's Division: Winder's (4VA), Warren's (2AL 3VA), J.R.Jones' (3VA), and Starke's (5LA)
Brigades of Early's Divison: Branch's (5NC), Rhett's (4SC), Echols' (3VA former garrison), and Martin's (3NC)

Early has received a controversial command. Rhett, the executor/murderer of General Hunter, has succeeded to Ripley's Brigade as a result of popular and political support. Lee needs the brigade so he has tolerated Rhett's presence. It is hoped Jackson and Early can keep Rhett in line. Echols troops are former garrison troops, while Martin's and Rhett's have fought at the Balckwater and at Petersburg.

Third Corps Commander: Edward "Allegheny" Johnson

There were several candidates for the command of the third corps. Hood, Ewell, and both Hills. However, although a very rough character, Johnson's performance at both the Battle of Blackwater and later in the defence of Petersburg have impressed Lee. It remains to be seen how he will perform at the head of this new corps.

Divisional Commanders: Robert E. Rodes, Daniel Harvey Hill, Isaac R. Trimble and Nathan "Shanks" Evans

Brigades of Rodes' Division: Manning's (4NC 1 AR), Ransom's (4NC), Posey's (4MS), and Montague's (4GA)
Brigades of D.H.Hill's Division: Doles' (4GA), Garland's (5NC), G.B.Anderson's (4NC), and Colquitt's (1AL 4GA)
Brigades of Trimble's Division: Garnet's (4VA), Hoke's (3NC), Lane's (3NC former garrison) and Ramseur's (4NC former garrison)
Brigades of Evans' Division: Pettigrew's (4NC), Jenkin's (4SC), Hagood's (4SC former garrison), W.S.Walker's (3SC former garrison), and McGowan's (5SC)

With 4 brigades of former garrison troops, Johnson's corps might appear a bit green. However all four fought at the Blackwater, and the brigade commanders of two have been replaced by younger fitter men (Lane and Ramseur). Evans now commands the only 5 brigade division in the army.

Commander of the Cavalry Division: J.E.B. Stuart

Brigades of Stuart's Division: Hampton's (1NC 2SC 2GA 1MS), Fitzhugh Lee's (1MD 5VA), W.H.L. Lee's (1NC 3 VA), William Jones' (3VA), Robertson's (2NC), Jenkins' (5VA), Baker's (3NC) and Imboden's (3VA).

In an attempt to maintain Confederate cavalry superiority Lee has attached Baker's brigade from North Carolina to Stuart. Stuart can also anticipate picking up Imboden's command on the way to...

 

[TheKnightIrish]

If you make me I can give the number of all the regiments except in the former garrison brigades (from Richmond, Petersburg and North Carolina) where I only have a rough idea of troop numbers and formations.

The idea is that Lee has at his disposal a larger army that in either the Maryland or Gettysburg campaigns. An update on Lee's intentions and the changes he has made will follow shortly...

 

[TheKnightIrish]

Chapter Fifty-Nine​

The Gray Fox​

From “The Gray Fox – Robert E. Lee” by R. Southey-Freeman
Orange & West 1958

"Lee had stripped the surrounding departments of troops to reinforce his army. Governor Zebulon B. Vance of North Carolina had, perhaps surprisingly given his former conduct, co-operated fully in releasing troops. Beyond the Appomattox the next stop for the Army of the Potomac would be the cities of Greenville, Durham and Raleigh. Governor Zance accepted that the defence of North Carolina would occur on the banks of the Appomattox. General Lee neither encouraged the Governor’s misconception nor sought to disabuse him…

The troops arriving from North Carolina carried with them fresh supplies of clothing, arms and ammunition. North Carolina had opened its stores to the advancing troops. That combined with the army’s location in southern Virginia, which until then had been untouched by the war, created an appearance of plenty in the Army. General Lee knew it would not last. When he addressed his corps commanders he was explicit on the subject.

Stuart's Cavalry would have to work hard...​

“We have supplies and ordnance for one major campaign gentlemen, after which this army will struggle to maintain the most basic subsistence in the field…If we stand on the defensive we must be worn down. So we will advance. We will have the advantage of surprise…and this is the largest army yet fielded by our country, while those people are disbursing their strength in all directions in the name of occupation…I mean to draw those people out of Virginia entirely…” (Walter H. Taylor)...

Some have suggested that the timing of Lee’s action was to avoid interference from the new Secretary of War or the incoming Chief of Staff. However if you look at the calendar, by mid-September Lee had barely two months of the “campaigning season” left before any campaign would almost certainly be guaranteed to occur in driving rain or freezing cold…

With the loss of northern Virginia, the Union army occupied a huge area full of Confederate sympathisers. Most Union newspapers arrived in Lee’s headquarters before Reynolds’. The changes in the Union’s command structure were a matter of considerable comment within the rebel army…

Major Taylor, as he was then, records another conversation between Lee, Longstreet, Jackson and Johnston on receipt of the news of Kearny's promotion to command of all the Union armies. Lee expressed the regret that it was not "Mr F.J. Hooker left in command. He would put his headquarters where his hindquarters should be." (On his arrival in the West Hooker has announced to great fanfare that his headquarters would be in the saddle).

John F. Reynolds, a friend of Longstreet's, was in Lee's opinion "twice the general and thrice the man" Hooker was "on and off the field". Longstreet considered him equal to or better than Kearny on the field. Lee disagreed. "General Kearny has three qualities unmatched in the Union army: he has an eye for ability among their generals and promotes it; he can make men follow him like few others I have seen; and he has luck. General Kearny has luck...".

Of the Union corps commanders Longstreet considered his friend Hancock the most dangerous. Jackson's only contribution was to disagree "it is that Quaker, that Rodman, that we must watch". Finally Lee noted the promotion of his close friend John J. Peck. "So many friends we must meet so soon again..."

From “Gray Lightening - the Shenandoah Campaign of 1863” by R. Southey-Freeman
Orange & West 1964

"From west to east, from Chandlers Mountain to Nottoways River, the Confederate army stretched. First Longstreet, the Johnson and finally Jackson. From the beginning Lee had one great advantage that he was to exploit mercilessly. The Army of Northern Virginia had cavalry superiority on this front. While Stuart had concentrated seven brigades of varying sizes, Buford had been forced, under orders he had tried to resist, to disburse his force to suppress partisans, to hunt irregulars, and to protect railroads. Of his 5 divisions only Gregg's and Devin's remained at the front to watch the rebels. Peck had Elliott's Division near Suffolk, but Buford had no authority over the cavalry of the Army of the James...

On the right Jackson would press Peck's Army of the James, somewhere between Stony Creek Station and Reams Station. Not seriously. Not to bring on a general action. But enough to catch the attention of Peck and Wadsworth, and hopefully, Kearny...

Jackson's Foot Cavalry on the march​

Jackson would then "step back" from Peck and be replaced by a mixture of about half of Stuart's cavalry to keep the Union scouts at bay, and by militia units. The militia units from Virginia and North Carolina were not fit to stand in the face of the Union Army. They were not meant to. Their duty was to pass as Jackson's Corps from a distance, while Stuart's men made sure they were only ever viewed from a distance...

Jackson's Divisions would pass in the rear of the Army. Their rally point was south of Chandlers Mountain, but the objective was Lynchburg. Jackson's foot cavalry and the remaining half of Stuart's horse cavalry were to take Lynchburg from the "paltry" Union garrison and speed on to secure the passes through which the Union army might try to pass through the Blue Ridge Mountains into the valley. Jackson was to be followed in turn by Johnson and then Longstreet. Both were to pass through Lynchburg and beyond into the Shenandoah Valley. Lee's whole army would march north, using the Blue Ridge Mountains and his cavalry to screen his movement from Kearny. Once this movement had been discovered Kearny would have to launch his armies northward in pursuit...

Some men of William Birney's Division in south eastern Virginia​

On the night of September 15th after several days of heavy skirmishing along Stony Creek and Nottoways River, including a fairly brutal enagement between Jubal Early's Division and William's Birney's Division near Lumberton, General Thomas Jackson's Corps began to quietly slip away from their encampments and march westwards..."

 

[Darth_Kiryan]

How large is his army ITTL? in OTL it never really exceeded 65-70000, AFAIK.

 

[TheKnightIrish]

How large is his army ITTL? in OTL it never really exceeded 65-70000, AFAIK.

OTL: We had Second Manassas, Maryland Campaign leading to Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville up to the Gettysburg Campaign. During this time the Confederacy also had to garrison Richmond and Petersburg. Also the coasts of the Carolinas and Georgia were under serious threat from large numbers of seaborn infantry.

ITTL: Rappahannock, several minor battles in the Rapidan Campaign, Blackwater, the minor battles of the Richmond Campaign culminating in Ashland, and the siege of Richmond. Lee has fought fewer full army battles. He also has added the remains of the garrisons of Richmond and Petersburg to his command. Finally with the pressure off the east coast of the Confederacy he has received reinforcements at different stages of 1863 from the Carolinas and Georgia.

Therefore I am working on the premise that the Army of Northern Virginia could have anything up to 20,000-25,000 more effectives ITTL as it marches north. However i am happy to argue the point on that one up or down.

Bear in mind also that the Armies of the Potomac & James are correspondingly larger at this time, having also fought fewer big battles and having not dispersed their forces to the west and the east coast...

 

[highwayhoss]

Great chapter KI! As one poster noted, this is the Army of Northern Virginia and the Lee that we know; audacious, willing to gamble, going on the offensive. If Lee can get his forces into the Valley, he can definitely make Kearny and Lincoln sweat....and with the Valley to supply him, Lee and the ANV becomes a dagger aimed at the heart of the US...

 

[Corder]

Bump. Big Blue Ridge Mountains Bunp!

 

[TheKnightIrish]

I am just scoping out the campaign. Update should be up tomorrow or Wednesday.

 

[TheKnightIrish]

Chapter Sixty​

The Blue Eyed Prophet​

From “Gray Lightening - the Shenandoah Campaign of 1863” by R. Southey-Freeman
Orange & West 1964

“It is an example of the almost immediate revisionism of the post-war era that Lee’s successes in the Shenandoah Valley were ascribed to Franz Sigel’s incompetency rather than any genius on the part of Lee. Ascribing genius to the rebel general was likely to get an author put on the Proscribed Persons List…

Sigel’s garrison in Lynchburg consisted of a single composite battalion made up of companies from different regiments under a Lieutenant Colonel from New England. He at least knew his command was nothing more than “so much meat for the Rebels” should they attack. Although a sharp watch was maintained elements of Ewell’s Division, Gordon’s Georgians and Hays’ Louisianans, found it comparatively easy to storm the town at night and subdue the garrison. If any messengers were sent to alert Sigel at his headquarters in New Market, none ever arrived…

Jackson’s troops immediately pressed on through Lynchburg, via Crawford’s Gap and Balcony Falls into the Valley. Stuart’s “Valley Division” of cavalry, consisting of Fitzhugh Lee’s, WHL Lee’s, Jenkins’ and Imboden’s brigades cut off the garrison of Lynchburg before themselves heading north towards New Glasgow and Lovington. Hampton had been left in command of the “Appomattox Division” of cavalry to screen the militia from Yankee eyes.

Stuart’s objective was to screen the passes through the Blue Ridges from the east. Keeping Kearny and the Army of the Potomac at arm’s length as long as possible was Lee’s primary concern until he was ready to receive them. It was hoped that if Stuart’s column was discovered it would be seen as nothing more serious as a cavalry raid in force until Lee was well down the Valley…

In an astonishing lapse of judgment, Sigel had left Lexington ungarrisoned. Upon “liberating” Lexington Jackson’s next objectives were the towns of Staunton and Waynesboro. According to Imboden’s intelligence these towns were garrisoned by at least a brigade of infantry and artillery in fortified positions built up by General Reynolds the previous winter. Staunton straddled the route the army must take north, while nearby Waynesboro covered the Backfish Gap through which communications could be reopened with Stuart. As Jackson considered his next moves at Lexington Johnston’s troops began to pass through Lynchburg…

Edward Johnson’s troops had kept their distance from Hancock’s I Corps pickets and the vedettes of Devin’s cavalry. So it was not initially noted by Devin’s exhausted troopers or by Abner Doubleday, who commanded Hancock’s front, that Johnson’s troops had pulled back well beyond the view of Union outposts…”

Jackson and staff scout observe Waynesboro​

From “The Blue Eyed Prophet of War” by Robert Lee Thomas
Carlotta Press 1906

“General Jackson had been provided with a detailed plan of the works at Staunton and Waynesboro. The fortifications were substantial, having been erected by General Reynolds to house a divisions worth of troops during his occupation of the Lower Shenandoah Valley…

It seems that Reynolds had intended for the unnecessary works to be pulled down when the garrisons were reduced in spring 1863. However General Sigel, the new commander in the Valley, felt the now partially occupied works had “a morale power in subduing rebel sentiment in the vicinity”…

At Staunton only Fort Meade was occupied. Jackson quickly assessed from Imboden’s scout, who accompanied the column, that of Forts Wisconsin and Patrick, Fort Patrick overlooked Fort Meade. The Union commander, Colonel Porter of New York, had traded the convenience of being nearer the town for the dominance of the larger work. General Jackson quickly realised that if he could get troops and artillery safely into Fort Patrick the Union occupied Fort Meade would become untenable. The fortifications at Waynesboro would prove to be a more challenging action…”

From “Gray Lightening - the Shenandoah Campaign of 1863” by R. Southey-Freeman
Orange & West 1964

“Elements of Sigel’s command seemed to be a dumping ground for the less stellar elements of the Union firmament in the East. Colonel Porter was just such an example of an exile from the Army of the Potomac. His decision to occupy Fort Meade was based entirely on its proximity to the town, and more importantly its hotel. The fort itself was dominated by the other works…Furthermore the assignment of picket and outpost duty was lax. The Union troops prefered the comfort and safety of the town and fort at night, in this conquered corner of the valley...

Colonel Porter was awoken to find he was sharing his hotel room with a number of scruffy looking Georgians from Gordon’s brigade. His slightly more dutiful second in commander awoke in Fort Meade to the sight of the Stainless Banner flying over Fort Patrick. Having been personally sighted by Jackson, three “volleys” from his hastily installed field pieces (among the lighter pieces in his arsenal) convinced the Union commander to surrender. Jackson had succeed in gathering up a small brigade’s worth of Union prisoners at Staunton at no loss to his command. Waynesboro would prove to be a more sanguine affair…”

 

[Lycaon pictus]

Ascribing genius to the rebel general was likely to get an author put on the Proscribed Persons List…

If we didn't have enough clues that postwar America will be a dark and scary place for a while, here's a great big one.

 

[TheKnightIrish]

Chapter Sixty-One​

The Dandy Devils​

From “Gray Lightening - the Shenandoah Campaign of 1863” by R. Southey-Freeman
Orange & West 1964​

"In Lee's march from the Appomattox to Maryland, he perhaps faced no greater obstacle than Forts Meredith and Doubleday on the ridge above the west bank of the South River (a tributary of the South Fork of the Shenandoah) at Waynesboro...

It was not so much the position or strength of the fortifications as the officers inside. While Colonel Porter of New York had embarrassed his state and his nation, and was an example of the poor material in the Valley, the New Yorkers at Waynesboro were of a different calibre...

Colonel Cleveland Winslow​

The commander of Waynesboro was Colonel Cleveland Winslow, formerly of Duryee’s Zouaves. Although a charismatic and courageous battlefield commander (and noted for his fondness of flamboyant uniforms), he was reputed to be a strict disciplinarian. He was ably seconded by a “military refugee”. Colonel Othnial de Forest and his 5th New York Cavalry, of the Department of Washington, had been involved in the pursuit of irregulars when they had all but ran into Stuart’s command east of the Blue Ridge. De Forest and his men, choosing discretion over valor, fled westwards to the perceived safety of Winslow’s outposts, only to find themselves out of Stuart's fire and into Jackson’s frying pan….

Colonel Othniel de Forest​

From “The Odd Couple – Winslow and de Forest at Waynesboro” from an article by Jim Harris
North & South Magazine 2008

“The former militia officer and the former stockbroker were well placed to see Jackson’s Corps as it advanced towards them. De Forest’s horses were exhausted from the pursuit by Stuart, thus both agreed the sending of a message was futile. Nonetheless six of de Forest’s troopers were sent out with messages for Sigel, Reynolds and Kearny…

Winslow was the iron in the defence. He provided the tactical backbone. His fortifications were well sited with ready access to fresh water. He had ample supplies of food and ammunition he believed. Winslow had also cleared the approaches to his little forts in the short time since his appointment.

De Forest saw what we would call the big picture. If they could stand a barrage and an assault Jackson might move on. His corps had not marched up the Valley with the sole objective of capturing Waynesboro. With bigger fish to fry, Jackson might just move on if Waynesboro proved too much of a nuisance.

Between them they had a brigade of infantry and a good sized regiment of dismounted cavalry. De Forest’s troopers also carried the freshly issued Spencer Carbine which added to their fire power…

Having realised that the cannon fire at Staunton would have alerted the garrison at Waynesboro Jackson did not hesitate to advance in daylight. On a brief examination with his staff he decided to attempt another artillery demonstration against the forts to encourage the Union troops to consider their dire position, trapped as they were between Jackson and Stuart. Jackson’s corps artillery was assembled as night fell. The barrage would start in the morning…

In what is considered one of the most daring actions of the Civil War, Winslow agreed to de Forest’s suggestion of a “midnight raid” on Jackson’s guns. Furthermore Winslow insisted in going along, leaving command of the fortifications in the hands of an aged Major. In the words of General Kearny “It was stupid. Damnably stupid. Taking men who could ill be spared from a beleaguered garrison on a difficult night time raid against vastly superior numbers. Both senior officers getting carried away and joining the attack. It was the most damnably stupid endeavour I have heard conceived. Damn but those two are great men!”…

It caught the rebels completely by surprise. Two separate raiding parties, led by Winslow and de Forest, managed to spike over a dozen guns before fleeing back to the safety of their fortifications. Jackson’s camp was in uproar. De Forest had had the presence of mind to set some fires among some of Jackson’s ammunition limbers before fleeing. For the loss of one man captured and two men wounded, Winslow and de Forest had “tugged at Jackson’s beard”..."

From “The Gray Fox – Robert E. Lee” by R. Southey-Freeman
Orange & West 1958

“General Lee rode up to Jackson’s headquarters in time to watch a hastily launched attacked by Gregg and Heth’s Brigades of A.P.Hill’s Division. A number of staff officers and other witnesses record that Jackson was “afire with fury that morning”. Heth and Gregg had been launched at the Union fortifications in what Dorsey Pender described as “a fit of ill managed rage”. It was an attack well outside the normal character of Jackson’s leadership. The attack was not well directed, and indeed Heth certainly was not the man think over much tactically for himself. There was little preparatory bombardment…

Jackson implores Lee for the order to "attack those people"​

Where a better organised attack on a divisional scale might have succeeded, the hasty assault by two brigades was repulsed, though Jackson now had established sharpshooters in the town so Winslow and de Forest could no longer communicate. Jackson’s immediate reaction was to prepare for a second attack. General Lee intervened...

Jackson was tired. He had slept little since the fall of Richmond. Many believed Jackson blamed himself and his own fallibility for some of the decisions leading up to the fall of city...

Communications had been established with Stuart along the line of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad without having to take the forts. While it concerned Lee to leave the forts manned in his rear, he understood better than perhaps anyone else in the Army of Northern Virginia how vital were their supplies of ammunition and manpower. He was not about to watch General Jackson “waste” those precious resources on capturing some irrelevant fortifications. Most of all Lee understood his most precious commodity was time. Jackson was wasting time here. If the circumstances permitted Johnson or Longstreet, who followed Jackson, could batter the forts quickly into submission with the larger artillery train that followed. In the meantime Lee directed Jackson to continue northwards. Some troops would be left to hold Staunton, the more vital post, and to screen the Union forts at Waynesboro in the meantime. The advance had to continue…

 

[Corder]

These guys would have been crushed flat by Jackson but I see why Lee wouldn't want to waste time and resources on them. Are the two colonels real by the way?

I am looking forward to Reconstruction - the "Proscribed Persons List"?!

One other thing - was Edward Johnson really any good! I don't know a lot about him. He seems to have appeared in corps command from nowhere.

 

[TheKnightIrish]

These guys would have been crushed flat by Jackson but I see why Lee wouldn't want to waste time and resources on them. Are the two colonels real by the way?

I am looking forward to Reconstruction - the "Proscribed Persons List"?!

One other thing - was Edward Johnson really any good! I don't know a lot about him. He seems to have appeared in corps command from nowhere.

Cleveland Winslow and Othniel de Forest are both real and will feature again in future. Winslow in the army and de Forest in another very important context. Everyone I've mentioned so far is real.

No spoilers. Just the odd hint in the text.

When Longstreet was injured in OTL Lee considered him for awhile to replace Longstreet before passing it to Anderson. ITTL Allegheny has had more exposure and success at the Battles of Blackwater and Petersburg.

 

[TheKnightIrish]

Thinking ahead and bearing in mind this is my first Timeline, how do you do Election maps?!? I'm already filling in maps with a pencil for '64 and '68...

 

[Shadow Knight]

Thinking ahead and bearing in mind this is my first Timeline, how do you do Election maps?!? I'm already filling in maps with a pencil for '64 and '68...

You might ask MacGregor if you can swipe some of his maps for re-purpose/editing from his most excellent civil war TL.

 

[TheKnightIrish]

Chapter Sixty-Two

The Word Spreads​

From “Gray Lightening - the Shenandoah Campaign of 1863” by R. Southey-Freeman
Orange & West 1964

"While de Forest’s troopers failed to get through to Reynolds or Kearny, one did make it to Harrisonburg. Franz Sigel was immediately warned as departmental commander. From his headquarters at New Market he order a concentration of his forces in the valley. This effectively meant abandoning Port Republic, Cross Keys and Harrisonburg to the advancing rebels…

General Franz Sigel​

Stuart’s presence on the eastern side of the Blue Ridge Mountains had not gone unnoticed. There had been skirmishes between outposts of the III and XII Corps and Stuart as he passed the right flank of the Army of the Potomac. Reynolds had ordered a concentration of Buford’s remaining cavalry on his right and ordered Wyndham’s Division back to rejoin Buford…

It was about this time that General Amiel Whipple reported that Longstreet’s troops had withdrawn from the rebel defensive lines to his front and had apparently marched south and west. Reynolds was quickly alerted. Orders were dispatched to the forward elements of the army to probe rebel defences and obtain intelligence about the formations in front of them…

Reynolds quickly realised from the subsequent reports that Lee’s army had slipped away from him and stolen a march. Reynolds problem was in identifying where they had gone. His first action was to telegraph Washington to alert the President and General Kearny…

Reynolds’ warning combined with Sigel’s alert that Jackson was in the Valley in force and approaching Harrisonburg set alarms ringing in the War Department. Kearny was quick to arrive at the correct conclusion “Lee has made fools of us. While we plan our attack at leisure, he has stolen a march on us. He will have his whole army packed tight in the Valley and we shall not get in. He will debouch from it wherever he pleases…”

Heintzelman’s Dept of Washington was placed on its guard immediately. Kearny fired off telegrams to General Couch at Baltimore to prepare his Middle Dept for a potential invasion. General Edward Canby was ordered from New York to Harrisburg to assist the Governor of Pennsylvania in raising the state militia. He was placed in charge of the new Dept of the Susquehanna. Kearny believed from the first Lee intended to invade the north, not to just threaten Washington as many others believed…"

General E.R.S. Canby​

From “Kearny the Magnificent” by Roger Galton
NorthWestern

"Kearny ordered Reynolds to get the Army of the Potomac on the move north. Reno’s Corps was to be sent by rail to Washington as a priority to “ensure the security of the capitol until we can locate Lee”. Peck’s Army of the James was to move west from its current position but it was to remain near Petersburg and Richmond for the moment to shield those cities in case Lee doubled back on his movement into the Valley…

There was an element of uproar in the capitol when it quickly became general knowledge that the Army of Northern Virginia had broken contact and was at large in the Shenandoah Valley. However the calm and confident demeanour of both the President and General Kearny reassured many. The President had a pragmatic view of the situation “like all threats it is also an opportunity. Lee wants a battle. We want a battle. Let it come and the sooner the better.” (Lincoln to the cabinet)…

It was extremely difficult for a man of action like Kearny to wait in Washington rather than join the army in the field. However until the location of the bulk of Lee’s force became clear, Kearny could not know exactly where the point of crisis would be. Kearny though did intend to join and command the army when it came ultimately came to blows with the rebel army. (de Peyster Watts)…

General John Buford and staff​

Buford was ordered to force one of the gaps in the Blue Ridge to gain access to the valley and locate Lee. He had three divisions. Elsewhere in Virginia Pleasanton and Davis were ordered into the northern end of the valley to join Copeland’s cavalry brigade in support Sigel…"

 

[TheKnightIrish]

Chapter Sixty-Three

Afterthoughts and Rearguards​

From “Kearny the Magnificent” by Roger Galton
NorthWestern

"In the midst of preparations to resist the rebel incursion into occupied Virginia, Kearny authorised an order which was to have a significant impact on the course of the war and indeed the peace that followed.

Since the Confederacy continued to resist the idea that negro troops should be treated as prisoners of war, not runaways or armed insurrectionists, Kearny had concluded it was time to end the Dix-Hill Cartel. No longer would prisoners be exchanged between the Union and Confederate commissioners. Prisoners of war on both sides could now expect to be marched off prison camps with no immediate hope of exchange or parole. Importantly Kearny found the President of a like mind..

"It will be hard on our men held in Southern prisons not to exchange them, but it is only just to those still in the ranks of our nation's armies," Kearny felt "Every man we hold is a weapon lost to the rebels. Every man we release on parole, or otherwise, becomes an active enemy against us...I do not wish to have to fight on to exterminate the whole South before we have peace...If we hold those caught they amount to no more than dead men..."

Little did Kearny know then that his words would find a grim manifestation in the months to come..."

From “Gray Lightening - the Shenandoah Campaign of 1863” by R. Southey-Freeman
Orange & West 1964

"When Reynolds invaded the valley he had done so with speed, having reduced the train his force relied upon and indeed the encumbrances on his men. Sigel, in his retreat, had learned none of these lessons. His formations moved slowly north from New Market, hampered by their slow moving wagon trains. Even so Sigel had to resort to burning large amounts of stores and supplies in order to prevent them falling into rebel hands…

Jackson’s fast moving vanguard quickly closed on Sigel’s rear. There were skirmishes at Stony Brook and Tom's Creek... Copeland's cavalry was thrashed south of Strasburg as Sigel abandoned the town, by Imboden (the only cavalry with Jackson) supported by Dorsey Pender's Brigade, the fleetest of foot amongst A.P.Hill's Light Division. A nervous Sigel considered halting part of his force at the first appropriate ground to repulse Jackson’s vanguard and slow its advance. Wired to Kearny for advice, the proposal was enthusiastically endorsed. "Fight on the first good ground you find" was Kearny's exhortation, but Sigel had been warned by B.F.Davis that Stuart's troopers were riding into the Valley at Front Royal, and at least some rebel infantry was on the road north of Luray. Sigel feared being cut off and so continued his ignominious march northwards..."

Sigel's exhausting retreat north​

From “Kearny the Magnificent” by Roger Galton
NorthWestern

"In the interim the massive machine of the Union army had been put in motion. The first elements of Reno’s Corps were already arriving by rail in the capitol. Kearny’s plan for it was simple: he would use it to "screen" the exits of the Army of Northern Virginia from the Valley in the vicinity of Washington...

Kearny’s clearly stated object was to ensure Lee marched north. “The further Lee is from Virginia the better. A defeat in Maryland or better Pennsylvania improves our chances of making sure his army does not regain the safety of the South”. Indeed although encouraging Sigel to stand, at least briefly, Kearny did not order Sigel to stand. That in itself is telling. Sigel was leading Jackson, and thus Lee, ever northwards. Although never spoken of by Kearny one cannot help but conclude Sigel's force was a lure. As Lee and Jackson drove on after Sigel, Kearny had time to bring on the Army of the Potomac..."

Benjamin Franklin Davis protects the rear​

From “Gray Lightening - the Shenandoah Campaign of 1863” by R. Southey-Freeman
Orange & West 1964

"Cedar Creek, Newtown and Kernstown all saw serious clashes. The addition of B.F.Davis' cavalry division to Sigel's force dramatically increased the effectiveness of Sigel's rearguard. Outnumbered now by Union troopers, Imboden could only push on with the support of Jackson's infantry vanguard, A.P.Hill's division...

Not even the professional rearguard actions mounted by Davis could hide the increasingly desperate and disorganized flight of Sigel's force. It continued to gain momentum, but it also continued to accumulate as many troops as it lost, with the addition of the retreating garrisons of Front Royal, Strasburg and then Winchester...

It was the stunning news that Stuart was between Sigel and Harpers Ferry, that finally convinced Sigel he must make fight of it, in the hope of driving off the rebels long enough to put some distance between his force and theirs. Intending to now to cross the Potomac somewhere in the region of Shepherdstown and to link up with the troops of the Middle Dept under Couch, Sigel received word that a large body of Rebel cavalry was again approaching his column's rear. Davis sought orders. Sigel had decided - this time he would fight. It is ironic that the ground on which the coming engagement would be fought was just south of the village of Kearneysville…"

The Brogan's House on Main Street was the first to receive Union casualties​

 

[TheKnightIrish]

Chapter Sixty-Four​

A Town that Hedged its Bets - Kearneysville/Leestown​

From “Gray Lightening - the Shenandoah Campaign of 1863” by R. Southey-Freeman
Orange & West 1964​

“The pike cut through three successive ridgelines south west of Kearneysville. The first two ran northwest-southeast, and the third north-south. The ground was clear save between the second and third ridges which was wooded…​

Sigel deployed Copeland’s regiment of cavalry forward as a screen. B.F.Davis’ cavalry division occupied the first ridge. Brigadier General William W. Morris commanded two brigades on the second ridge, his own and Colonel Andrew T.McReynolds. Finally Sigel held the brigade of Colonel William G. Ely in reserve on the third ridge. The remainder of Sigel’s force continued its march northwards to the Potomac…”

Union Cavalry skirmish line​

From “An Old Soldier of the Light Division” by Daniel Cooper
Carlotta Press 1902

“Hill’s infantry was encamped in the vicinity northwest of Smithfield. About 8 o’clock A.M., the whole army marched in the direction of Shepherdstown. At noon Pender’s brigade in front leading the advance. We halted at a brick church abut [sic] two or three miles from Kearneysville – remained here about one hour, and resumed the advance. We had not gone more than one half of a mile when we met our cavalry, Imboden’s boys, falling back. The Col. received orders from Pender to deploy his regiment as skirmishers on both sides of the turnpike and advance. This was quietly done and the regiment advanced at a double quick, the other troops being in column on the road…

General John D. Imboden​

This regiment charged a strong line of dismounted cavalry supported by artillery posted on an eminence in their front. We got a bloody nose. With the brigade up we tried again but for Yankee cavalry they really fought to keep that ground. The Hill appear bedecked in his red shirt, and Harry Heth’s brigade. We tried again and succeeded in driving them back upon their infantry reserves one half mile beyond their first position…

As we advanced on this second line, the enemy tried to flank us with his now mounted cavalry on the right and left of our skirmishers. On the right they were met and repulsed by the a Regiment sent by Heth. Hill hastened to the left of the road into a cornfield and brought up a couple of regiments from Archer’s brigade to secure that flank…​

By this time other brigades of the division had been deployed and advanced and drove the enemy [Morris’ Brigades] in great confusion across the wooded gulley…​

General William Dorsey Pender​

The final ridge before the town was across a wooded depression. We could see the yankee fortifying a big house [the Jewett House] on ridge opposite as well as a solid looking fence. It would have been awful ground to cross…

Our cavalry, Imboden and some of Stuart’s boys just up swung around the yankee left which was much closer to our line there. They passed a couple of farmhouses [Young’s and Moore’s] as they sought to get into the yankee’s rear. The yankees were not long skedaddling out of there before sundown…​

Our loss was chiefly in our own brigade. This regiment was the largest regiment in Hill’s command, and had no superior in the point of discipline and valor…

I spoke to the Col. later and he told me the name of the town was Kearneysville, but it was sometimes called Leestown. I did not know what to make of a town that couldn’t pick between Lee and Kearny…”​