A Glorious Union or America: the New Sparta

[TheKnightIrish]

Chapter Sixty-Eight

The Emergency of 1863
Part II​

From “Kearny the Magnificent” by Roger Galton
NorthWestern

"As soon as General Reynolds arrived in Washington he met with General Kearny and Secretary Stanton in the War Office. Von Steinwehr's XI Corps and Meade's IV Corps had already marched north to join Humphrey and Stevens. Reynolds had arrived with the first elements of XII Corps. Soon after Sickles and Hancock would pass through with their corps. Rodman's VI Corps was bringing up the rear...

The Chain Bridge over the Potomac over which many in the Army of the Potomac would pass​

Kearny ordered Reynolds forward to take command of the four corps now near Monocacy. Kearny, reluctantly would remain behind in Washington, and forward the remaining troops to Reynolds...

Stanton demanded to know what steps would be taken to secure the capitol. Jackson's "attack" at Monocacy and rough handling of the IX Corps had unsettled Washington. Was it not possible that Lee could again turn and threaten the capitol while the Army of the Potomac marched north? Had not General Kearny reduced the garrison of the capitol to augment his garrisons in Virginia? Should not at least a corps be held back to screen Washington or an element of the Army of the James brought up to expand the garrison?

Kearny's AG, Lieutenant Colonel Chauncey McKeever, who was present reported that "while General Reynolds only indicated his disapproval by his expression and the occasional 'tut', the Secretary was roughly handled by General Kearny who rounded on the Secretary's faintheartedness". For the moment Stanton agreed that Reynolds should have the whole of the Army of the Potomac at his disposal..."

From "The Emergency of 1863" by Dr. Teddy Gilette
Greeley Press 1981

"It had happened before, both during the war, and previously but it was always unexpected. General Kearny and his staff had ridden out to meet General Hancock as his troops crossed the Chain Bridge to Washington. It is unknown what startled General Kearny's horse. It was a newly purchased mount and Kearny had doubtless not fully understood its temperament yet...

Kearny was an exceptional horseman, but it is often forgotten he only had one hand to manage the reins, and was often to be found with reins in his mouth while he manged something else with his free hand...

The horse fell and rolled over the General. Rolled not once but twice over the General. Captains Louis Fitzgerald and James C. Briscoe of Kearny's staff were immediately off their horses, as was General Hancock to see to General Kearny. He was unconscious. Captain George W. Mindil of the staff was immediately sent to find Kearny's personal surgeon, Doctor William H. Pancoast. In the meantime, men of Standard's Vermont Brigade [III Division, I Corps] found a stretcher and carried Kearny to the nearby Morrison House..."

Captain George W. Mindil​

From “The War Between the States” by Otis R. Mayhew
Sword & Musket 1992

"There was no panic in the War Office, but there was an air of fear and uncertainty when news of Kearny's accident arrived. Secretary Stanton and General Halleck met to frame a recommendation to the President. General Reynolds was more than capable of leading the Army of the Potomac against Lee. However the Secretary's concern for Washington remained and it was fanned by the ever cautious Halleck. Their recommendation to the President was thus: Hancock's I Corps would continue its march to join Reynolds, but the final corps, Rodman's VI Corps, would be held in Washington for the moment until Lee's intentions were fully developed. An order was also to be sent to General Peck that he was to forward a division to Washington to reinforce the garrison. Perhaps upon its arrival Rodman's forces might be released...

The President was naturally concerned for General Kearny. Hay's minutes confirm the President's concern at the idea of dividing his forces once again on the eve of a major battle. However the Secretary and General Halleck were adamant that to do otherwise was to expose the capitol to potential attack. Further, once Peck's troops had arrived, the three could revisit the situation and hopefully General Kearny would have recovered sufficiently to advise the President. The President assented..."

Doctor William Pancoast​

From "The Emergency of 1863" by Dr. Teddy Gilette
Greeley Press 1981

"President Lincoln took to horse and was shortly at the Morrison House to see General Kearny's condition for himself. Dr. Pancoast's assessment was troubling. The General was still unconscious several hours after the accident. He had an obvious injury to the head and there was serious bruising to the torso. Dr. Pancoast did not believe there were internal injuries to the General's body but he could not yet speak to the seriousness of the head injury. He had sent for several other "specialists" with whom to consult including his father Jospeh Pancoast who was in the city. He assured the President, everything that could be done for General Kearny would be done..."

 

[CobiWann]

This is the closest thing to a Hope Spot that the Confederacy has.

Lee always threw his enemies into confusion, and now, before he's even really forced the issue, the Union forces in Northern Virginia and Pennsylvania, already in motion without a destination (thanks to Lee not showing his hand), have lost their leader.

Either Reynolds steps up and manages to herd the proverbial cats, or Lee divides and conquers.

 

[Corder]

This is the closest thing to a Hope Spot that the Confederacy has.

Lee always threw his enemies into confusion, and now, before he's even really forced the issue, the Union forces in Northern Virginia and Pennsylvania, already in motion without a destination (thanks to Lee not showing his hand), have lost their leader.

Either Reynolds steps up and manages to herd the proverbial cats, or Lee divides and conquers.

Reynolds will step up. Reynolds, Hancock, Stevens, Humphrey, Meade, Williams, Von Steinwehr (ok. Maybe not Sickles) are all sound men. The Union has better line up that it had in OTL for Gettysburg. And that's assuming Kearny doesn't bounce back. This guy made a career out of falling off horses.

Holding back Rodman is an obvious mistake though.

 

[TheKnightIrish]

Chapter Sixty-Nine

The Union Goes Forth​

From "Always The General - The Life of John Fulton Reynolds" by Jed Bradshaw
Penn State 1999

"Reynolds crumpled up the latest telegram. He was not about to announce that General Kearny was "indisposed" to the army. His officers and men had sufficient concerns with their impending date with Lee's rebels...

The Left Wing, consisting of V, IX, XI and XII Corps, were marching from Frederick City towards Emmitsburg. Reynolds rode with this wing. The Right Wing of I, III, and IV Corps, effectively under George Meade's command, had left the area of New Market and was marching north towards Uniontown and Westminster. Reynolds did not know the location of Lee's forces but he appeared confident as to Lee's destination - Harrisburg. In his conversations and orders it is clear that Reynolds was certain that the Pennsylvania State Capitol was Lee's target...

Reynolds had telegraphed General Canby, via a circuitous route through Baltimore, to expect Carlisle and Harrisburg to come under attack from substantial rebel forces. Of course, unlike Kearny, Reynolds could only make suggestions and advise co-operation with General Canby's 10,000 man force...

Further bad news followed. A telegraph from the War Office confirmed that General Rodman's VI Corps would be held behind "for the moment" to screen Washington until the War Office was satisfied that the city was no longer under threat. The VI Corps under Isaac Rodman had an enviable reputation as a fighting outfit. General Reynolds would sorely miss it...

We now know the full extent to which Reynolds despised political interference in ongoing military operations. However, if General Reynolds was put out by the latest War Office missive, he did not show it to his staff or his generals...

At least General Buford was now in direct control of the majority of his Cavalry Corps: Pleasanton was at Emmitsburg, McMurtrie Gregg was at Taneytown, Wyndham was up at Hanover and Devin had pressed as far north as York with a view to opening a direct line of communication with Canby. Buford also expected to establish contact soon with B.F.Davis' rather battered command, which still shielded the remains of Sigel's ever retreating force which was rumored to be beyond Shippensburg and heading towards Carlisle..."

General Reynolds in command of the Army of the Potomac​

From "The Emergency of 1863" by Dr. Teddy Gilette
Greeley Press 1981

"General Canby had taken up residence in his Harrisburg headquarters. He had approximately 7,000 militia (Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers and a handful of Jerseymen) immediately on hand, with a further 3,000 militia (all Pennsylvanians) gathered at Carlisle under William H. French. Canby understood that there would be little time to train these militia and so their best chance of victory would be to fight from fortifications and works. Canby immediately set to work hiring laborers and putting the reluctant militia to the task of fortifying the west bank of the Susquehanna River - Camp Hill, Sporting Hill and Beacon Hill in particular. Canby was reluctant himself to leave French at Carlisle or to order him to hold the town if engaged. General French was left with orders to "use his own discretion" and the option of retiring north, across Conodoguinet Creek if necessary...

A New York Militia Regiment encamped at Camp Hill​

Canby did have a handful of experienced officers. Aside from William H. French at Carlisle, Napoleon J.T. Dana and a barely recovered Thomas Meagher were with Canby at Harrisburg to command a brigade. The third brigade was commanded by New York militia brigadier John Watts de Peyster. It is also mistakenly assumed that the militia regiments themselves were "green". Though partially true, a fact often overlooked, is that many discharged two year men had rejoined the colors of their state militias. Meagher's presence in particular ensured a number of discharged Irishmen, who otherwise might have been reluctant to fight, had volunteered for the militia to "Honor Corcoran and Fight for Meagher!"..."

From "Always The General - The Life of John Fulton Reynolds" by Jed Bradshaw
Penn State 1999

"General Reynolds was under immense pressure from Washington, but he had no intention of running head long into the rebels and "being devoured piecemeal". The army columns were to move quickly but Reynolds ensured the Corps of the Left Wing remained concentrated so as to be in a position to mutually support one another once contact with the enemy was made. General Reynolds exhorted General Meade to do likewise on the right...

It was October 3rd when General Reynolds received two critical telegrams. General Kearny had regained consciousness and was expected to recover, though over a number of weeks, and that General Canby was engaged at Harrisburg..."

General French directs the defense of Carlisle as Rebel cavalry attack​

 

[Darth_Kiryan]

I'm just curious, but when did Kearney lose his arm? was it in the early parts of the Civil war before the POD, or was it earlier in his life.

 

[Corder]

I'm just curious, but when did Kearney lose his arm? was it in the early parts of the Civil war before the POD, or was it earlier in his life.

I know this one - it was in a cavalry charge in Mexico. He almost charged all the way into Mexico City before the army fully came up. He was supposed to be in command of General Scott's bodyguard. I believe it was Dick Ewell dragged Kearny back to American lines.

 

[Darth_Kiryan]

I believe it was Dick Ewell dragged Kearny back to American lines.

God damn it. Everyone knows everyone in the Mexican War/Civil War.

Every time i read Battlecry of Freedom i always read that prologue and still get amazed by it.

 

[sloreck]

interesting bit of "arm" history. When Gen O. O. Howard lost his arm during the CW Kearny consoled him, that between them they could buy a pair of gloves (as they had lost different arms).

 

[TheKnightIrish]

God damn it. Everyone knows everyone in the Mexican War/Civil War.

Every time i read Battlecry of Freedom i always read that prologue and still get amazed by it.

Kearny is a good example. When he heard that war had begun from his villa in Paris, he shared a drink with "Prince " John Bankhead Magruder and Roberdeau Wheat before they all left for home.

 

[TheKnightIrish]

Chapter Seventy

Thunder on the Susquehanna
Part I​

From "The Emergency of 1863" by Dr. Teddy Gilette
Greeley Press 1981

"French had ridden out with his staff to meet General Sigel. One look at Sigel and his exhausted and demoralized troops convinced French he did not want them joining his militia. Indeed he did not even want them seen by his militia...

Franz Sigel was more then happy to accept General French's suggestion that he lead his force north across Conodoguinet Creek to the relative safety of the north bank. Sigel would be in a position to "cover the Carlisle garrison's withdrawal if and when that might prove necessary". Sigel was also quick to co-operate in "loaning" General French two of his remaining batteries of artillery. General Davis' cavalry division also remained south of the Creek. B.F. Davis was not technically under Sigel's authority and so felt free to place himself at General French's disposal...

General William H. French and staff​

French was keen to exploit any opportunity to redeem his reputation which he, rightly, felt has suffered as a result of the collapse of his division at the Battle of Ashland. That made him fortify Carlisle, which, given the general belief that the entire Rebel army might come this way, was an extremely risky position to adopt...

French was lucky. The first Rebel troops on the scene was Stuart's "Valley Division". Four brigades of cavalry (18 regiments) with attached horse artillery. French's 3,000 man militia force plus B.F. Davis' cavalry was almost a match in numbers for Stuart's horsemen. However Stuart had been rounding up "broken down Federals" (Heros von Borcke) from Sigel's command for days. He had also seen, from a distance, Sigel's troops beat a hasty retreat across the river [Conodoguinet Creek]...When Stuart realised the Union rearguard at Carlisle was made up of green militia he resolved to attack...

B.F. Davis successfully lures Stuart into a mounted attack​

Stuart believed he need only push the remaining Union troops and they would withdraw from Carlisle. He seems to have relied on the poor morale of Sigel's troops and the poor reputation of militia. French and Davis too were concerned. French had had little time or no time to drill his militia. His bravado in remaining in Carlisle was beginning to waiver...

What followed Davis' consultation with French is clear. What is not is whether it was French or Davis who formulated the stratagem. B.F. Davis led his troops through Carlisle and emerged east of the town. His troopers then turned south and began to press the scouts and flankers Stuart had pushed out in that direction beyond the town. Davis was in the open. It was the opportunity Stuart had hoped for. From north to south, Stuart formed Jenkins, and the two Lees in line with Imboden in reserve. The Rebel Division outnumbered Davis' exhausted command by almost four to one. Almost as an afterthought Stuart directed his artillery to fire on the town to discomfort the militia. As Stuart formed Davis began to pull back towards the town, all be it slowly...

"As a good rule of thumb" observed John B. McIntosh "cavalry should not charge across the face of entrenched or fortified infantry or artillery". As Stuart's troopers advanced to the charge, Jenkins on the left or northern end of line closest to the outskirts of the town, came under heavy fire from artillery and long range rifle fire from French's troops. As Davis withdrew so to did Stuart's lines begin to angle more to the left and so Jenkins became evermore exposed...

In fact Stuart's charge lost momentum and literally petered out as Jenkins' brigade tried to turn from the fire and, colliding with Fitzhugh Lee's regiments, disordered that brigade as well...

An unhappy Stuart pulled back to lick his wounds and wait for infantry support, taking time to upbraid Jenkins for his brigades "misconduct". French took that as his cue, and as evening fell, withdrew his naturally elated militia across the Creek under the cover of Davis' cavalry...

"We had given the reb cavalry a bloody afternoon but we were very glad to get out of Carlisle before Lee turned up" Private John Askew, Pennsylvanian militia..."

 

[TheKnightIrish]

Chapter Seventy-One

Thunder on the Susquehanna
Part II​

From "The Emergency of 1863" by Dr. Teddy Gilette
Greeley Press 1981

“General Johnson’s clash with General Canby at Harrisburg has largely been ignored in the 20th Century. In was of course overshadowed, indeed dwarfed, by the subsequent Battles of Gettysburg and Union Mills (known by the rebels as Pipe Creek). Yet it was to have a profound effect on the participants and indeed on New York and subsequently national politics…

The bulk of Stuart’s cavalry was now redirected southwards to deal with the increasingly aggressive Union cavalry under Buford. Nonetheless Edward Johnson’s following divisions had swept through Carlisle and pressed on towards the goal of the campaign – Harrisburg. General Lee had already begun to consider a reframing of the campaign objectives now that the Union army was apparently approaching. With that in mind Johnson was instructed only to cross the Susquehanna and take the city if practicable with only his Corps…”

From "Emperors of Oyster Bay" by Elizabeth Linney
New York 2002

“Thee’s first view of rebel infantry was reported to be a magnificent one. From his position on Camp Hill with General de Peyster he could see General Johnson form three of divisions in preparation for an attack on Canby’s redoubts. A brisk artillery exchange had already commenced. It was a trying time for the militia and its officers. They were about to be exposed to an assault by veteran troops. The men had been drilled but little. The officers were as green as the men…”

From "The Emergency of 1863" by Dr. Teddy Gilette
Greeley Press 1981

“General Dana on Spring Hill and General Meagher on Beacon Hill were tried, experienced officers. General de Peyster was a militia officer of no previous experience but widely read in military subjects. He had very fixed, if somewhat eccentric and archaic ideas. In each of the four regiments in his command he had their Colonels form “Grenadier Companies” from the tallest, most imposing men in the regiments. A very Napoleonic concept. As the rebel force deployed, General de Peyster pulled these four companies from their regiments and formed a reserve battalion of them, “to plug any gaps that might appear or to stem any movement to the rear” (General de Peyster’s report). It must be remembered that a handful of the militiamen and their officers were veterans, but de Peyster did not chose a veteran to command the reserve battalion. He choose his friend Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt…

General Canby had an excellent eye for ground and both the siting and construction of the defensive works were impressive. He had designed the works with interlocking fields of fire. Nevertheless he had in effect one division of militia, all be it with excellent artillery support, against three veteran rebel divisions with a fourth coming up…

Due to errors in Johnson’s staff work, the divisions in practice attacked en echelon instead of simultaneously as Johnson had planned. The attack on Beacon Hill was exposed to flanking fire from both Camp Hill and Spring Hill, before the attacks on Spring Hill and finally Camp Hill eventually moved off in support. Meagher easily repulsed the attack on Beacon Hill. Dana’s men stood well in the works on Spring Hill drove off the initial attack on those works after a desperate fire fight. General Evans who commanded the attack on Camp Hill had no intention of allowing his men to halt and get into a one sided fire fight with entrenched troops. His division moved off without a single loaded musket. He meant for his men to advance on the works and take them at the point of the bayonet if needs be…”

Confederates assault Union works​

From "Emperors of Oyster Bay" by Elizabeth Linney
New York 2002

“De Peyster’s New Yorkers stood their first taste of battle well. Though they could not maintain the rate of fire of regulars they kept up a steady fire on the advancing rebels. Yet the rebels came on, neither pausing to fire nor showing any sign of faltering in their resolve…

It was desperate work for the militiamen. The first rush was driven off before it reached the Union works, as was the second, but General Pettigrew grabbing the colors of a North Carolina regiment enjoined the men to charge a third time. The rebels reached the works, and on the shoulders of comrades began to scale them…

For militia they stood up well for a short time, but even regulars quail at the bayonet, and as rebels mounted the works the lines began to waiver. As one of his regiments began to poor from its position towards the covered way in the rear, men from two North Carolina regiments of Pettigrew's Brigade began to take their place. General de Peyster rode to the rear and ordered in the reserve. Thee Roosevelt’s first commands under fire were the orders to fix bayonets and charge!...

“I deserve no credit. I was no officer. I neither knew the trade of soldiering nor any of the art of war. I barely knew how to load and fire my pistol and I dreaded a test of my swordwork. My only experience of war was to advance at the head of my men. Thankfully they had no better sense but than to follow me” (Theodore Roosevelt Sr on his contribution at the Battle of Harrisburg)…”

Colonel Roosevelt leads the counterattack​

"Ill be damned if anyone trys to tell me those bluebellys were militia. They where huge great apes o men. There was a Yankee captain the size of a house [No doubt the appropriately named Captain Yorck of New York, partner in a cooperage firm, 6'10'' talk and approaching 300lb in weight] who picked up my sarggent and threw him right back over the wall...You either lept back over the wall yerself or you dropped your musket right sharp..." (Private John Pinkney of Pettigrew's Brigade)...

It was a battle that made the names of John Watts de Peyster and Theodore Roosevelt in New York. One can only imagine though, if Thee had played a less conspicuous role in his one and only engagement, how he might have salvaged his relationship with his poor rebel Martha..."

From “The War Between the States” by Otis R. Mayhew
Sword & Musket 1992

“Johnson’s attack on the works at Harrisburg came within “a hairsbreadth of success at Camp Hill” according to General de Peyster who was under no illusions about the militia's ability to withstand another attack. It was not lost on General Johnson, who reformed his men, with his fourth division [D.H. Hill's] now in reserve and prepared for a second attack. This time he ensured his men would attack all at once.

However two elements intervened to prevent a second attack. Firstly General Canby realised his militia force had done more than should have been expected but was unlikely to stand against a second better co-ordinated attack, and thus he instructed the brigade commanders to withdraw via covered ways to the river, starting with de Peyster’s command…

Secondly General Johnson received urgent orders from General Lee to immediately abandon the advance on Harrisburg and to march south with all dispatch. General Stuart, or more particularly General Hampton’s command, had finally confirmed that the Army of the Potomac was nearby and General Lee had resolved to seek the ground on which to fight it. General Hampton sent word he had found “very good ground” at a concentration of all the roads and pikes in the area near a little town called Gettysburg…”

 

[TheKnightIrish]

Any feedback before the next installments? Queries? Is it going fast enough? Is it too detailed?

Minor Spoiler alert: By the way did anyone spot my 1868 Election Poster attempt elsewhere on the board? I like the era and the people so much I plan on taking this well beyond the war's end.

 

[cornelius the noble]

I would say that this timeline is great. I appreciate the level of detail, which gives a good story without being too overwhelming. I think the reader gets a good feel for the campaigns. Not only that, it's also quite plausible. You don't have units and formations appearing out of thin air for instance. Like at Harrisburg and Carlisle, you have very green units with a smattering of veterans raised in a hurry, not magically appearing battle hardened veterans.

I will admit though, that some of your updates seem a little short to me. It always leaves me wishing there was more to the story or that I wasn't left with cliffhangers in the middle of a battle for instance. That however, could be a product of RL constraints, so I consider it only a minor nitpick. Overall, like I said, this is a great TL. I want to encourage you to keep at it.

 

[mrmandias]

So the Great American Badass gets a badass daddy? I loved it.

 

[Jonathan Edelstein]

Just wanted to delurk and let you know how much I appreciate this timeline. I usually don't follow ACW timelines, but this one is both thoroughly researched and amazingly well-written. Please keep 'em coming.

 

[Darth_Kiryan]

GETTYSBURG!

 

[Japhy]

Any feedback before the next installments? Queries? Is it going fast enough? Is it too detailed?

Minor Spoiler alert: By the way did anyone spot my 1868 Election Poster attempt elsewhere on the board? I like the era and the people so much I plan on taking this well beyond the war's end.

I would say that the one problem with the timeline is that sometimes things do get bogged down in the minute details of the battles. Its certainly alot of fun, but it does often cause me a bit of trouble, for all of my appreciation of the detail and research behind it. At the moment though , I'm enjoying the balance of speed and detail greatly.

I'll also admit I appreciate that Gettysburg is the point here, it is just too viable a condensing point for any Confederate attack that makes it past Maryland. And I'm firmly hoping that you handle Gettysburg-Union Mills in a better style then Newt Gingrich did.

Edit: And I just remember that Turtledove had the Battle of Camp Hill. I see what you're doing now...

 

[galileo-034]

Battles at Gettysburg and the Pipe Creek... it reminds me the novel 'Stonewall Jackson at Gettysburg' by Douglas Lee Gibboney, a very good reading.

 

[TheKnightIrish]

Edit: And I just remember that Turtledove had the Battle of Camp Hill. I see what you're doing now...

Battles at Gettysburg and the Pipe Creek... it reminds me the novel 'Stonewall Jackson at Gettysburg' by Douglas Lee Gibboney, a very good reading.

In my defence I would say I have read neither!

 

[xxmagex]

Any feedback before the next installments? Queries? Is it going fast enough? Is it too detailed?

Splendid timeline, I loved that you had a battle at Mount Vernon Kentucky, I live not too far from there.

The only suggestion I might make is that you set up a thread for updates only and a separate thread for comments. That would make it a little easier to spot the new updates when they come out.

Also, any plans to as some point to post the finished TL in PDF form the way that Calbear did for the Anglo-American vs Nazi War? Made it easier to print a long-term copy.