A Glorious Union or America: the New Sparta

[Corder]

I almost missed Joshua "Don't Call Me Lawrence" Chamberlain in that maelstrom of violence. Huzzah for the 20th Maine!

Now where is Robert Gould Shaw?

 

[TheKnightIrish]

I almost missed Joshua "Don't Call Me Lawrence" Chamberlain in that maelstrom of violence. Huzzah for the 20th Maine!

Now where is Robert Gould Shaw?

Funny you should ask...he is less than a chapter away...

 

[Pyeknu494]

As For the Good Mr. Shaw

Awesome! Can't wait to read it.

 

[CobiWann]

Well worth enduring the wait! May your Internet never falter again.

 

[TheKnightIrish]

Chapter Seventy-Nine​

Second Days and Third Corps​

From “A Thunderbolt on the Battlefield – the Battles of Philip Kearny: Volume III” by Professor Kearny Bowes
MacArthur University Press 1962​

“Kearny had ridden through the night to drive the three divisions of VI Corps and the division from VII Corps forward “to the sound of the guns” of the previous day. In the absence of a large cavalry force to scout the road ahead, Kearny deployed his own escort along with that of General Rodman, to report on the road ahead. A number of Kearny’s staff officers (Capts. Louis Fitzgerald, W.C. Morford, W.H. Paine, George W. Mindil and Maj. James C. Briscoe) were also sent out both with these 3 companies of cavalry and in some instances alone…​

On receipt of an initial report from Captain Fitzgerald of the presence of rebels at Pipe Creek, and subsequently a more detailed reported from Captain Mindil who had made contact with Buford’s cavalry on the extreme flank beyond Manchester, Kearny resolved to deploy his men behind Parr Ridge in preparation for a dawn attack…”

General David Russell, Albion P. Howe, William T.H. Brooks and William Birney​

From "In Column to Battle - The Army of the Potomac in the Battle of Pipe Creek" by George Cresap Ord
MacMahon Publishing​

“We now know that the legends that persisted around “Kearny’s Ride” for almost a hundred years are mostly myths. Although Kearny is responsible for convincing the President to release the 4 divisions held back in Washington, Kearny’s strength promptly gave out. It was Isaac Rodman who got his forces on the roads north. Kearny in fact did not ride at all but, having insisted on accompanying VI Corps regardless of his condition, he travelled north as an invalid in an ambulance…​

It was Rodman who deployed the light cavalry screen and indeed it was Rodman who choose to deploy silently behind Parr Ridge. It was only come the dawn and upon being told that battle was imminent that Philip Kearny rose up from his ambulance and mounted a horse…​

This by no means should diminish the achievement of General Kearny. It was his force of will that was responsible for the fact that 4 fresh divisions were on the battlefield that morning, and it was his force of will that would keep him on horseback and in sight of the troops during the second day of battle…​

But neither should we ignore the contribution of General Isaac Rodman nor indeed the humility of the man. Neither in his campaigns for the Senate nor in the great campaign of 1884 would he ever hint at his true role in the second day of the Battle of Pipe Creek…” ​

From "In Column to Battle - The Army of the Potomac in the Battle of Pipe Creek" by George Cresap Ord
MacMahon Publishing​

“With the aid of Buford’s troopers General David Russell would lead two of his three brigades (Cols. Brown and Vegesack) against Rodes' rear at Manchester. To his south and west General Albion P. Howe would lead the three brigades of his division (Tobert’s, Vinton’s and Upton’s) plus Neill’s brigade, of Russell’s division, into the rear of Johnson’s III Corps. This attack would fall upon the headquarters and camp of D.H.Hill’s division as well as Johnson’s own headquarters. Beyond Howe’s flank, General W.T.H Brookes would lead his division (Wheaton’s, Shaler’s and Terry’s brigade) in the direction of the Littlestown Road. Brookes would in turn be supported by William Birney’s mixed division (Thomas’ brigade, made up of white and negro state troops, and Stearns’ and Sigfried’s brigades, both made up of United States Colored regiments)…​

The dawn attacks by Russell and Howe fell as hammer blows upon the unsuspecting Johnson. The rebel army had had no warning of the presence of Union troops beyond Parr Ridge. Stuart’s cavalry was stretched to the limited, acting on both flanks to counter Union cavalry moves, as well as providing a substantial roaming reserve that Lee was using to plug temporary gaps in his main defensive line. There were simply no troopers to spare to watch Lee’s rear across a twenty mile front…​

Upon receipt of Buford’s confirmation that the VI Corps was on the field and attacking Johnson’s rear, Alpheus Williams made a crucial decision. He recalled the divisions of Geary and Ruger who were promptly directed to either flank of Greene’s “bridgehead”. All three divisions were ordered to make “a full and persistent attack on the rebel positions on the heights before you”…​

The renewed attack by Hancock and Wallace from Union Mills commenced at dawn as planned by Reynolds. In the absence of Geary’s and Ruger’s divisions, the only extra troops were from Sickles' III Corps in the form of Amiel Whipples’ division…​

The Village of Manchester​

Posey’s brigade with elements of Ransom’s brigade would barricade themselves in the buildings and streets of Manchester. They would hold out for almost 24 hours. The rest of Johnson’s Corps were not so robust...​

Assault on Manchester​

Daniel Harvey Hill Swept Up in the Union Tide ​

D.H.Hill’s brigades were fully engaged with Greene’s forces in front when they were attacked in the flank and rear by Howe’s division. The ground south of Pipe Creek which had so favoured the rebels the previous day would be their enemy on the second day. The nature of the ground meant that Howe’s advance had largely been screened from General Hill, even if his attention had not been focus on the renewed XII Corps offensive to his front…​

D.H. Hill’s brigades were quickly rolled up by the attacked. Only G.B. Anderson managed to pull his brigade of North Carolinians out of the north facing line of battle and form some semblance of a defensive line actually facing Howe’s attacking troops.​

Shanks Evans' Stand​

Anderson’s manoeuvre effectively refused the right flank of Nathan “Shanks” Evans' division. This action would give Evans time to prepared for the assault he was about to received. He could see Geary’s Division forming to the north for a renewed attack. The crescendo of firing to his right and rear indicated a major attack on the flank. While Anderson’s brigade fought for its life against the four rampaging brigades making up Howe’s attack, Evans pulled his right wing (Jenkins’ and McGowan’s South Carolinians and Pettigrew’s North Carolinians) back, isolating Anderson, but giving Evans two brigades facing north against Geary and three east against Howe…​

Howe’s brigades would quickly overwhelm Anderson’s hasty defensive line and then plough directly into Evans’ secondary line. The momentum of victory had disorganised Howe’s attacking brigades though, which were initially repelled by Evans’ line. Shanks Evans rode up and down his line roaring encouragement to his troops and swearing liberally…​

The build up of forces against Evans however was reaching critical mass. With Geary’s division assaulting his front and Howe’s division his right flank, pressure was building. As brigades from Greene’s division arrived with Ruger’s not far off, the pressure on Evans’ position became untenable. An attack by Emory Upton’s brigade pierced the line between Pettigrew and McGowan. As Howe’s troops swept into the rear of Evans’ position, capturing Evans’ himself, Pettigrew’s brigade was pushed off to the south west. For the moment, of Evans’ division, only Pettigrew’s brigade escaped relatively intact. The attack of the VI Corps was garnering huge numbers of prisoners from Johnson’s III Corps…​

Pickett's Charge​

While the combined attacks of Russell, Howe and Williams’ XII Corps overwhelmed Johnson’s III Corps line, Johnson himself had ridden back to the Littlestown Pike to find his reinforcements under General George Pickett. As Evans and Anderson were struggling to slow the attacks in their sector, Rodman’s third division under W.T.H. Brookes has marching freely across the rear of the rebel army in the direction of the Littlestown Pike. Rodman’s intention was clear. He would attack Longstreet’s position before Union Mills in the rear as the main Union attack, under Hancock and Wallace, renewed their attack to the fore. Johnson planned to halt Brookes in his tracks. ​

General Pickett was ordered to deploy his Virginia division in line and counterattack Brookes before he approached the pike. Pickett’s division, one of the largest in the Army of Northern Virginia, quickly deployed with Armistead’s, Hunton’s and MacKall’s brigades in front and Jimmy Kemper’s in reserve. It would be joined in its attack, by the recently orphaned brigade of James Johnson Pettigrew and his North Carolinians…”​

Pickett's and Brooks' Divisions clash!​

From “A Thunderbolt on the Battlefield – the Battles of Philip Kearny: Volume III” by Professor Kearny Bowes
MacArthur University Press 1962​

“The attack of the gallant Virginians under Pickett staggered Brookes’ brigades. It seemed as though Pickett would succeed in driving off Brookes and still have time to go to the aid of General Evans. It was not to be. General Kearny had one last card to play. He rode to the rear of Brookes division where waited the fierce General William Birney and his negro division and the order was given…”​

From "In Column to Battle - The Army of the Potomac in the Battle of Pipe Creek" by George Cresap Ord
MacMahon Publishing​

“William Birney’s division swept into the right flank of Pickett’s division with a ferocity not yet seen on this battlefield. These were the veterans of the fierce little skirmishes against Early’s Division in south east Virginia were no quarter had been asked or given by rebel or federal…​

Hunton would fall dead; Johnson himself and MacKall would be taken prisoner (Edward "Allegheny" Johnson would be wrestled from his horse by the boy colonel of the 54th Massachusetts in Henry Thomas’ brigade); Armistead would fall injured and die a few hours later in a farmhouse by the Littlestown Pike with his old army friend Winfield Scott Hancock at his side; while Kemper, Pettigrew and Pickett would barely escape from Birney’s men with their lives…”​

General Lee moments before being shot​

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

“It was barely 11am and already a third of the Army of Northern Virginia was dead, captured or put to flight. The size of the battlefield had meant that Johnson had fought that morning without the guidance of General Lee. When Lee did arrive at the Littlestown Pike it was only in time to watch Pickett’s Charge sputter and die at the hands of Brookes and Birney. He had no firm report of the fate of the remainder of Johnson’s III Corps but the evidence was all around…​

A critical moment had arrived for Lee. His army was defeated. There was no way victory could be wrenched from the arms of the Federals now. Lee had to give another hard order – Longstreet must retreat before he too was flanked and rolled up. He must retreat towards Unionstown as quickly as possible. Jackson too must be prepared to withdraw as soon as Longstreet passed by. In Lee's own words, "with God’s help there might be a chance", that his army could retreat west across the Catoctin Mountain and move towards Hagerstown and into the Valley and relative safety. To do so however, Longstreet would have to disengage from Hancock, Wallace and Humphreys and quickly, lest Rodman cut off his line of retreat. It would prove extremely difficult to do so…​

The Army of Northern Virginia would have a running fight all afternoon as it retreated towards and beyond Unionstown. In the end Lee remained with Longstreet as Daniel’s Division (formerly French’s Division of Longstreet’s Corps) and Ewell’s Division of Jackson’s Corps tried to fight a rearguard action until night fell. George Stannard’s battered men of I Corps, who might have been expected to seek rest, were among the most vigorous pursuers of Lee’s army driven on by Hancock and Stannard and a desire for revenge for their denial the previous day…​

With the weight of numerous regiments behind it, it seemed that Stannard’s latest attack might break through. Lee seeing the danger (and not trusted Daniels to remedy it) would grab the colors of one of O’Neal’s Alabama regiments and led them into the gap. The attack would be blunted, the gap closed, but Lee would fall from his horse Traveller with a bullet wound to his right shoulder…​

Longstreet acted quickly. The injured Lee was spirited westwards beyond the immediate reach of the federals, though before his staff surgeons would extensively examine the wound. In the meantime Longstreet co-ordinated the rearguard with skill and courage. As night fell it seemed that at least a part of the Army of Northern Virginia might live to fight another day…”​

 

[23 November 1939]

The chaos of the moment is readily apparent.

Now let me see if I can figure out where you've placed everyone.
Williams has pitched in on the right, quite impressively.
Hancock and Wallace are resuming their dance of yesterday with Longstreet and now Ewell.

Humphreys, Stevens, and von Steinwher remain along the Confederate front. The ground will favor a fighting retreat and all three Corps are battered.

But Kearney has arrived with reinforcements, the Rebels are running, and the Army of the Potomac must sense the moment.

Who is besieging Posey in Manchester? Canby?

Quite the battle for New England. The 20th Maine and its professor of rhetoric, the 54th Massachusetts and its boy colonel.

Johnson's Corps is simply gone. Lee's reserves have been swallowed up; what Jackson and Longstreet can commit, they have. Ammunition and food cannot be in abundant supply, unless Lee was able to risk foragers somewhere between Gettysburg and Pipe Creek.

Lee's injury sounds ominous. Longstreet seems to have done what can be done keep word from getting out but will it be enough? If nothing else, the positive effect of Lee's presence on the Army of Northern Virginia will be missed.

Exhaustion all around but only one side is retreating.

 

[TheKnightIrish]

The chaos of the moment is readily apparent.

Now let me see if I can figure out where you've placed everyone.
Williams has pitched in on the right, quite impressively.
Hancock and Wallace are resuming their dance of yesterday with Longstreet and now Ewell.

Humphreys, Stevens, and von Steinwher remain along the Confederate front. The ground will favor a fighting retreat and all three Corps are battered.

But Kearney has arrived with reinforcements, the Rebels are running, and the Army of the Potomac must sense the moment.

Who is besieging Posey in Manchester? Canby?

Buford's Cavalry, two of Russell's brigades (Rodman's VI Corps), XII Corps' artillery and of course Canby and his three brigades, are all beseiging Posey in Manchester in the east (Union left/Rebel right).

Williams' XII Corps has crossed the Creek in the east and effectively merged with Rodman's VI Corps attack on Johnson's III Corps. With the collapse of Johnson's III Corps they have continued to advance westwards towards Unionstown and the Confederate route of retreat.

Wallace's IV Corps and Hancock's I Corps have continued to attack Longstreet straight down the centre from Union Mills down the Littlestown Pike. While Humphreys' V Corps with Stevens' IX Corps in support has attacked further west against Longstreet's "left of centre".

Longstreet's rear has been threatened by Rodman's speedy advance and so he has pulled out south west again towards Unionstown. Longstreet's I Corps has been badly mauled (Pickett smashed. French's badly mauled. Hood, Wilcox and Anderson have repulsed heavy attacks).

Following Longstreet's withdrawal, Hancock, Wallace and Humphreys have closely pursued his retreating troops and have constantly engaged his rearguards culminating in the attack on French/Daniel's Division and Ewell's Division at Unionstown at dusk.

Only Sickles' III Corps and von Steinwehr's XI Corps (who are opposite Jackson in the west - Union right/Rebel left) are not on the offensive. In fact Jackson's II Corps has got off very lightly.

 

[Corder]

In the words of General Hancock "one things for sure. We're going to need some new brigade commmanders". Its not a Cannae for the AoNV buts its certainly one for Allegeny Johnson's III Corps.

 

[23 November 1939]

Thank you for the clarification on Posey's position. No reason it had to be included with the TL proper, but I was curious where the pieces were.

Only Sickles' III Corps and von Steinwehr's XI Corps (who are opposite Jackson in the west - Union right/Rebel left) are not on the offensive. In fact Jackson's II Corps has got off very lightly.

And Sickles' III Corps is now without Whipples' division, which has been pitched in with Hancock and Wallace.

In the words of General Hancock "one things for sure. We're going to need some new brigade commmanders". Its not a Cannae for the AoNV buts its certainly one for Allegeny Johnson's III Corps.

More than a few are simply being found when they step forward to assume command - a certain Bowdoin Professor holds much promise. Agree as to Johnson's III Corps. As for Longstreet and Jackson, it's already looking a bit like Blenheim for them. And with Kearny in the field, the Federals are likely to pursue as thoroughly as any commander could hope for. If Buford's cavalry can get refitted after Posey is accounted for, even Jackson's foot cavalry may find it hard to get back across the Potomac in one, reduced, piece.

 

[xxmagex]

As night fell it seemed that at least a part of the Army of Northern Virginia might live to fight another day…”

An interesting phrase. The way is is structured, one thinks that something worse is about to happen to the ANV in the morning.

 

[TheKnightIrish]

My own revised Map of Day 1 at Pipe Creek...

 

[sloreck]

It sounds as though Lee's wound is not to dissimilar from the most serious wound Jackson received OTL. If there is major bone damage around the shoulder or injury to the axillary or brachial arteries, then the only treatment at the time is amputation. A high arm amputation through the humerus below the shoulder or a trans-glenoid amputation (removing the entire arm at the shoulder joint) would have at least a 50% mortality during the ACW - this includes postoperative wound infection. For Lee this would be even more dangerous given his age and his (as yet undiagnosed) heart condition that did him in just a few years after the war OTL. Of course, like Jackson OTL Lee could survive the operation and the immediate postop period only to die of pneumonia within 7-10 days.

IMO it looks like Lee is a goner.

 

[Voice of The Empire]

It's a serious wound, regardless on if it kills him or not; Lee will lose an arm either way.

Fantastic battle discriptions, either way. Thinking about printing this out and taking it to my next wargaming night, and both this version of Gettysburg and the battle of Pipe Creek are going to end up as secnarios on the tabletop.

 

[Darth_Kiryan]

No, not Lee. No!
Losing that arm, if anything, is going to completely shatter his character.
Regardless of the consequences, does this mean that Longstreet would actually be the next commander? Or if not, who would they replace Lee with?

My god, good sir, you have created an epic battle. Quite the act by Rodman and Kearney. Hancock, and even Sickles.

The 54th Massachusetts has also made its debut by the looks of it. Very well done indeed.

The Great Campaign of 1884 - is that an Isaac Rodman Presidency i spy in the future?

 

[sloreck]

Live or die, Lee will be at least 6 months recovering, and he won't get back to his pre-injury vitality or spirit. I think the next commander of the ANV will be either Longstreet or Jackson, and I lean towards Jackson. This is not because he would be the better commander for the ANV, I think Longstreet would do a better job as he is more tuned in to the realities of the CSA's military situation. However, given CSA politics & Davis' personality, since Jackson is seen as the more aggressive general he would get the nod - this sort of thing happened more than once OTL where aggressiveness was the key determinant.

 

[xxmagex]

Thinking about printing this out and taking it to my next wargaming night, and both this version of Gettysburg and the battle of Pipe Creek are going to end up as secnarios on the tabletop.

Now that's an interesting idea. Is there a complete enough OOB to wargame out those engagements?

 

[King Henry]

. However, given CSA politics & Davis' personality, since Jackson is seen as the more aggressive general he would get the nod - this sort of thing happened more than once OTL where aggressiveness was the key determinant.

Would Davis really have much input on Lee's replacement? Even if the ANV gets enough time to wait for a response from Atlanta without making a definite decision, which is rather unlikely, wouldn't Bearaguard be calling the shots?


Anyway, this is an awesome timeline, and I can't wait to see how the U.S. develops after the War ends! I'm also getting the feeling that there's going to be a fairly long period where ex-officers pretty much control national politics, just from the hints so far.

 

[Wet Coast]

Would Davis really have much input on Lee's replacement? Even if the ANV gets enough time to wait for a response from Atlanta without making a definite decision, which is rather unlikely, wouldn't Bearaguard be calling the shots?


Anyway, this is an awesome timeline, and I can't wait to see how the U.S. develops after the War ends! I'm also getting the feeling that there's going to be a fairly long period where ex-officers pretty much control national politics, just from the hints so far.

Temporarily in the field one of the Corps commanders would take over if Lee was incapacitated. However once they got back in communications with Davis he would make the decision. He was his own War Minister and interpreted the position of Commander in Chief as effectivly being General in Chief. He was very hands on with the army.

 

[Corder]

Temporarily in the field one of the Corps commanders would take over if Lee was incapacitated. However once they got back in communications with Davis he would make the decision. He was his own War Minister and interpreted the position of Commander in Chief as effectivly being General in Chief. He was very hands on with the army.

Actually a dozen chapters back Davis' Cabinet had a mini-coup. Breckinridge is now Secretary of War without much interference from Davis, and Joe Johnson has been appointed to a Halleck-like Chief of Staff position.

Not sure what implications that has for command of the AoNV if Lee dies. Longstreet and Jackson are obvious, but Beauregard can't be doing much in Charleston with little activity on that front.

 

[TheKnightIrish]

It's a serious wound, regardless on if it kills him or not; Lee will lose an arm either way.

Fantastic battle discriptions, either way. Thinking about printing this out and taking it to my next wargaming night, and both this version of Gettysburg and the battle of Pipe Creek are going to end up as secnarios on the tabletop.

Now that's an interesting idea. Is there a complete enough OOB to wargame out those engagements?

The Army of Northern Virginia OOB is at Post 383.

The Army of the Potomac OOB can be found at Post 301 and Birney's Division of the Army of the James is referenced at Post 300.

I haven't spelled out the numbers of brigades or commanders for the Union in those post (most divisions have three brigades but a handful only have two). However I do have a note of the numbers of brigades and brigade commanders so if you want it post here and I'll post here or PM me and I'll reply...

I should say these OOBs predate the Battles of Monocacy, Gettysburg and Pipe Creek/Union Mills. More than a few commanders get knocked out of the OOB over the course of those battles!