NationStates Jolt Archive

This is a thread for the duel between Robert E. Lee and General Hancock/General Grant in Western Virginia


Army of Ohio
Major General Reynolds

I Corps

1st Cavalry Division



Second Force
Major General US Grant

II Corps

1 Cavalry Brigade







Against

Robert E. Lee

1st Division
2nd Division




August 10th, 1861
Upon Hearing orders from Linconln himself, General Grant left cambridge ohio and marched across the Border at Wheeling, Virginia and immedietly swung south towards Charleston. Hearing that Grant is on the Move, Hancock Marched from Colombus for the Border at Point Pleasant then to cross the Ohio River and march on Charleston.

August 13th, 1861
General Robert E. Lee's Cavalry report to Lee that General Grants forces have crossed into Virginia from Ohio Via Wheeling and is marching south.


(thats where we are at right now, Lee you don't know about Hancocks force, because he is still several days away in Ohio.)

ooc: Would I not have any information about troop build ups in Ohio? I need to know this because if I have any info that there may be a possible attack I would definetely have different plans as to if I was unaware of any movement.

Also, where are the nearest confederate troops under a different command?


General Lee stays put behind the Kanawha River and sends a message informing central command of Grant's movements.

Charleston is readied for evacuation, Lee is well aware that he may have to move at any moment.

Lee then reorganises his troops, shifting them into 3 divisions and stripping the brigade that he assigned to the defence of Charleston and adding it to his third division.

Cavalry scouts are sent out in small patrols but are ordered not to engage the enemy directly and to report back on troop movements.

Hancock halts at the Virginian border, sending couriers off to Grant, and sending cautious cavalry patrols into Virginia. Loyal inhabitants are asked for inofrmation regarding enemy troops in the area.

To: Gen. Grant
From: Gen. Hancock
General,
If no enemy has moved on your front, you are to adavance with all speed towards Charleston and take the city if no enemy is to be found. If the enemy moves to block you, I will march to your aid. Keep me informed of your movements.
yours,
(sgned) General Winfield Scott hancock, Army of Ohio, Commanding

ooc: Would I not have any information about troop build ups in Ohio? I need to know this because if I have any info that there may be a possible attack I would definetely have different plans as to if I was unaware of any movement.

Also, where are the nearest confederate troops under a different command?


General Lee stays put behind the Kanawha River and sends a message informing central command of Grant's movements.

Charleston is readied for evacuation, Lee is well aware that he may have to move at any moment.

Lee then reorganises his troops, shifting them into 3 divisions and stripping the brigade that he assigned to the defence of Charleston and adding it to his third division.

Cavalry scouts are sent out in small patrols but are ordered not to engage the enemy directly and to report back on troop movements.

OOC: When Hancock reaches the Ohio River, your Cavalry Scouts in that area begin reporting back to you. They know that Hancock is there in Force but are unsure of his total numbers, but they do know that it is a LARGE force.

August 17th, 1861
Grants cavalry and yours have begun to make contact in the area of Weston, while Grants main force has occupied Clarksburg. There are small skirmishes as both sides have orders only to scout and not get involved in a pitched battle.

Hancock halts at the Virginian border, sending couriers off to Grant, and sending cautious cavalry patrols into Virginia. Loyal inhabitants are asked for inofrmation regarding enemy troops in the area.

To: Gen. Grant
From: Gen. Hancock
General,
If no enemy has moved on your front, you are to adavance with all speed towards Charleston and take the city if no enemy is to be found. If the enemy moves to block your move, I will march to your aid. Keep me informed of your movements.
yours,
(sgned) General Winfield Scott hancock, Army of Ohio, Commanding

Grant, a cigar in his mouth, read the order as he rode along with his troops. He shook his head slightly in mild annoyance. It wasn't clear in the order if Hancock was moving, so he asked the courier a few questions. Determining that Hancock had halted at the border he nodded and dismissed the young officer.

The geography of western Virginia worked better if he was the anvil and Hancock was the hammer, but orders were orders. A couple of days march past Weston there was a little river, Oil Creek. It was a good place for the Rebels to try to defend if they intended to meet him before Charleston.


The next major objective was Sutton, where a little turnpike diverged from the Weston / Charleston road and went over the hills to Beckley. Although impractical for artillery, an infantry division could use it to completely cut off the Rebels in Charleston. It wouldn't leave him much of a striking force, but if he was there the Rebels would have to come to him. Through very restricted roads with hills and mountains on both sides that prevented tactical movement by anything but skirmishers. An army with wagons and guns wouldn't be able to deploy properly.

First though was getting to Oil Creek and Sutton.

Grant ordered a break for a few minutes. He quickly dictated his plan to a staff officer, reviewed it to make sure he clear, and ordered Ely Parker, his aide, to take an escort and get to Hancock and explain his plan.

A few minutes later the Corps was on the move again.

Oil Creek and Sutton area
http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=&csz=west+virginia&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=

II Corps
http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10108734&postcount=18

West Virginia
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/us_20...a_ref_2001.jpg

Orders also went out ordering the 3rd Division to leave the 4th Illinois brigade in place at Morgontown to guard the National Road, and for the rest of the division to move up to support him.

ooc: Would I not have any information about troop build ups in Ohio? I need to know this because if I have any info that there may be a possible attack I would definetely have different plans as to if I was unaware of any movement.

Also, where are the nearest confederate troops under a different command?


General Lee stays put behind the Kanawha River and sends a message informing central command of Grant's movements.

Charleston is readied for evacuation, Lee is well aware that he may have to move at any moment.

Lee then reorganises his troops, shifting them into 3 divisions and stripping the brigade that he assigned to the defence of Charleston and adding it to his third division.

Cavalry scouts are sent out in small patrols but are ordered not to engage the enemy directly and to report back on troop movements.


OOC: Army of Northern Virginia has to deal with the Army of the Potomac at the moment. the army of Tenneesse seems to be strewn out throughout Tennessee at the moment while The army of Mississippi is in Arkansas, I think.
So your probably not going to get any reinforcements anytime soon.

Thanks for your help everyone and I shall make a detailed post with my response in around 17 hours or so. I have to go to sleep now and I have college tomorrow so expect a post a little before this time tommorow.

ooc: I'm still not clear about how this battle is going to work, I'm not accusing anyone but surely there will be some objectivity from the moderators, unconscious maybe, but they will doubtless want their side to win and I think maybe we should have an independent to moderate this? Also, I can't see on any of your links Galveston where Sutton or Oil Creek is, though I can deduce roughly the position of Sutton from the directions you gave. I will make my move toward there as Lee would obviously recognise it as a vital cog in his supply line.

Anyway, while the above points are under consideration, I will post my movements without the knowledge of Hancock's army.



IC:



General Lee read the latest reports of Grant's movements. The objective was obviously Charleston, which was hardly a vital town, but nevertheless...

Lee snapped open his map and contrasted it with the reports he had thus far recieved. With all of his 3 divisions mobilised, Lee could move immediately, and it seemed Grant was heading directly for the jugular of his supplies. It would not matter if he held Charleston if his men starved, and they were in a desperate enough position foodwise anyway.

He pondered for a few moments more before rapping off a series of orders to his aides. The 1st division would lead the march and head towards Sutton. If the Sutton turnpike went blue then he could only hope for a slow death of starvation holed up in Charleston. Sutton. Lee worried, his first confrontation with his own countrymen, his brothers, would he fight? Would his men fight? None of this showed on his impassive face which wore a serene expression of calm amidst the storm of activity his orders had produced.


All 3 divisions began to shoulder their packs and take what provisions they could. The Charleston garrison was left much reduced after the 5th South Carolina brigade was amalgamated into the third division and the troops strode off into the dusty sunset. Battle would be joined. Sutton seemed the likely location.

Grant looked over the map again. It was 60 miles as the crow flies from Clarksburg to Sutton, and another 66 miles from Sutton to Charleston after that. Of course, with all these hills, it was really more like 90 miles in each stretch. Another problem was that it was 120 miles from Sutton to Prosperity, over a hilly little turnpike (making it roughly 150 miles as the infantrymen marches).

Of course taking Prosperity would place Union forces directly astride Lee's escape and supply route to Virginia, and a 55 miles to the rear of Charleston.

He didn't have time to waste dealing with Rebel Cavalry. Looking over at an aide, he issued orders. "Tell Colonel Grierson to clear those people out of the way, and order General Sykes to push the 1st Division forward to help the cavalry. I want this Corps in Sutton in 3 days."

OOC: there will be objectivity since BOTH moderators will discuss and decide the battle. There is no need for independant moderator. As both of us come to a consensus. Trust me there probably will be defeats and victories on both sides.


Right now in his absence I'm given charge of moderation. I'll post the battle later tonight.

As Lee's army begins it's movement, Hancock's cavalry continue cautious probes into Virginia, attemtping to discern the enemies movements.

Lee's army is under orders to push ahead fast to Sutton and once there make defensive positions. In order to arrive there first a strong cavalry screen made up mainly if irregular locally recruited troopers that would not have fought in a major battle anyway are sent to harass Union troops.

Local militias are also ordered by messenger to waylay the Federal's as much as possible, mainly by stripping supplies from villages in the path of Grant's troops, and also by doing as much damage to the roadway as possible. Lee's men will march fast in the aim of getting to Sutton quickly and entrenching his troops.



ooc: Thanks for resolving that query I had council of clan.

And by the way, if Lee gets to Sutton second and finds himself faced with a strongly fortified and well defended position that would require massed suicidal assaults that will result in the destruction of his army then he probably will not fight. He would prefer to move to a defensible position than throw his men away. It's too early in the war for that I think. Anyway, basically just be sensible with Lee if he has a completely untenable situation.

ooc:

I have just discovered in Chatzy that Grant outnumbered me 2 to 1?

I was under the impression that I had an equal man to man ratio with Grant??

We have the same amount of divisions, is there something I should know here? I went to fight him with the knowledge that Grant and I could field equal numbers, we certainly have the same amount of divisions and brigades posted up.

As Hancock's patrols report that Lee's army seems to has dissapeared, Hancock considers moving. This is further reinforced by the arrival of Ely Parker, Grant's aide, who asks that Hancock move on Charleston as quickly as possible. Hancock resolves to set out, and the I corp of the Army of Ohio steps off across the Virginian border, the 1st Division in the lead and the Cavalry scouting ahead.

Hancock's army begins to march down the Kanhawa River, heading towards Charleston.

OOC: In western virginia, I doubt that Lee will have much success inducing militias to shoot at the Federals.

Okay, I read the stuff you just posted on the forums about the disparity in numbers but I guess its too late to change what I did now so I will fight.

I assume my guys will hit Sutton first though.

What with there being less of them, ergo smaller supply train, and also they know the country better and are not being delayed by partisans and irregular cavalry etc.

Anyway, all the best in the fighting of the battle. When my guys get there they'll dig in etc and prepare to fight a defensive battle. I trust in Lee's battlefield judgement as to the use of reserves on the battlefield etc.



Best of luck both sides (haha that last sentence was strictly ooc.)

OOC: Dude, W. Virginia is pretty damn loyal to the Union. They seceded from Virginia to remain in the Union. I doubt you'll get much partisan or irregular activity in favor fo the confederates. But i'l leave that to the mods.

Okay, I read the stuff you just posted on the forums about the disparity in numbers but I guess its too late to change what I did now so I will fight.

I assume my guys will hit Sutton first though.

What with there being less of them, ergo smaller supply train, and also they know the country better and are not being delayed by partisans and irregular cavalry etc.

Anyway, all the best in the fighting of the battle. When my guys get there they'll dig in etc and prepare to fight a defensive battle. I trust in Lee's battlefield judgement as to the use of reserves on the battlefield etc.



Best of luck both sides (haha that last sentence was strictly ooc.)

ooc
we are in West Virginia, which as a direct result of this campaign historically seceded from Virginia and requested entry into the Union as its own state (and thus did). You will not find Rebel sympathies common in this area, nor will the Rebs find a lot of support in eastern Kentucky or eastern Tennessee. Those Appalachian mountaineers didn't have a lot of sympathy for Slavery or Secession. Everywhere else in the South the situation is different (pro Secession). If anything, the Union armies are going to have to make sure the Secesh in this area aren't lynched by their neighbors.

no battles will be posted tonight in any theatre.

My team leader, squad leader and Platoon Leader all invited me out for a drink tonight and I'm going to go. so I'll do this stuff tomorrow. I know this is disappointing to a lot of you icthing to fight, who knows manarth may be on later tonight. It wouldn't be wise of me to say no to a 2nd Lieutenant, Staff Sergeant and Sergeant.


And Gintonpar you would not have access to grants order of battle but your scouts WOULD be able to give you approx troop strengths, I'm going to allow you to readjust your orders.

Right. I'll have to think about the change of orders so I'll sleep on it saying as you are off on the booze tonight. If we were all waiting for combat resolvement I'd do it now but as I have a little time I shall wait till tomorrow if thats all fine and dandy with you all. Sadly I am extremely tired now and have a VERY early start tomorrow.

Goodnight everyone. New orders tomorrow. But who knows, I could just keep them the same? Anyhow, till tomorrow gentlemen.

Grant, as he moves through West Virginia, has staff officers talk to mine owners and also tries to recruit miners to form a provesional engineer (called pioneers back then) companies and battalions to help him with bridging and any other needs he might have. He requests cash from Washington for this purpose as well.

He also orders the cavalry to form up some long range scout troops in order to send them east of Charleston to get a feel for the terrain and to gather intelligence.

ooc
distance between Lee and Grant

Lee starts 66 miles from Sutton, and Grant starts 60 miles from Sutton.. it could easily be a meeting engagement (like Gettysburg). Grant for one is pushing hard.

August 19th
Virgina/West Virginia: Sutton

Maj. Gen. Grant

vs.

Bvt. Lt. Gen. Lee

What happens:

Grant's cavalry screen (1st Illinios) arrives at 0930 hours, and sets up possition on the north bank of the Silk River (?). His 2nd and 4th Divisions arrive at 1100 hours, and begin setting up prepared possitions within the town, and evacuting civilian personel (all 10 of 'em). They are making decent progress by the time Lee's vanguard of cavalry arrives at 1445 hours. (Note: Lee you do not have any number of irregulars to make a difference in the outcome, as the area is sparcely poppulated, and fairly pro-union in their leanings)

They spy the union cavalry on the otherside of the river, and move across the bridge to engage. The Brig. Gen. of Lee's cavalry assumes that the force they see is mearly the scouts of Grant's army, and that they can shift them quickly, allowing Lee's force to take up possitions in the town.

They run headlong into Grant's possitions, which while not fully set up, are still a sizable deterant to cavalry. Hit hard, they attempt to withdrawl back accross the bridge, when Grant's artillery begins zeroing in on their escape route.

The net result is a heavy loss of life by Lee's forces: The 1st North Carolina, which lead the attack suffered near 40% casualties, and about a 60% deduction in it's fighting strength do to horses killed during the engagement. The 3rd North Carolina faired slightly better, as their Col. managed to form a retreat before Union guns could be sighted accurately allong the bridge, suffering only about 15% casualties. Union forces that have engaged Lee's forces got away lighter with 1st Illinios taking 10% casualties before withdrawling to the hastily prepared infantry possitions, and the 3rd US and the 4th US of his 4th Division taking 5% casualties each from the cavalry charge.

It is now 1800 hours, their is about 3 hour left of light for the day, 1st Division has arrived and has begun setting up in the town. Lee's infantry has arrived and is taking up possitions south of the river.

What Gen. Grant knows:

Your forces in Sutton have set up small foxholes and are busy working on trenches, your regulars have engaged and repelled a cavalry attack on the town, and their commanders suspect that they comprised most, if not all, of Lee's cavarly. Lee's army has been sighted just accross the river. 3rd Division is about 7 hours march away.

What Gen. Lee knows:

Your cavarly has suffered greatly attempting to sieze Sutton before the Union forces could. They report that the main Union army is likely already in possition within the town, and that the artillery has been set up to fire on the bridge. The Col. in charge of the 3rd North Carolina is your highest surviving cavalry commander.

Grant orders the Cavalry to find locals and locate all of the likely places Lee could ford the river on both flanks out to a distance of 20 miles as well as heavily patrol the Union side of the Silk River.

Content with the knowledge that Hancock can easily move up while he holds Lee in place here, he orders the 1st Division to take over the positions of the 2nd Division and places it in reserve. The 3rd Division will take over the positions of the 4th Divisions when it arrives. Pickets are sent down to the rivers edge and well out on both flanks as well.

Stragglers are sorted out as they trickle in and sent to their units.

When a likely place is found for his own plans, he files it away in his mind and has officers of the 2nd Division scout it out so that they are familiar with the route to it. He would like to attack, but he doesn't trust his green volunteers to make a success at it just yet. After all, they weren't much better trained than the troops at Bull Run after all.

Finally, he sends staff officers with an escort to the nearest telegraph to send word to Hancock of the situation and orders those couriers to then proceed to Hancocks last location and fill him in.

ooc
alll of this is so he can attack when he is ready and turn Lee's flank or mount a pursuit if Lee moves back or hold in place and bloody Lee's army if Lee moves forward. Even Green volunteers should be able to adequately hold entrenchments.

Grant orders the Cavalry to find locals and locate all of the likely places Lee could ford the river on both flanks out to a distance of 20 miles as well as heavily patrol the Union side of the Silk River.

Content with the knowledge that Hancock can easily move up while he holds Lee in place here, he orders the 1st Division to take over the positions of the 2nd Division and places it in reserve. The 3rd Division will take over the positions of the 4th Divisions when it arrives. Pickets are sent down to the rivers edge and well out on both flanks as well.

Stragglers are sorted out as they trickle in and sent to their units.

When a likely place is found for his own plans, he files it away in his mind and has officers of the 2nd Division scout it out so that they are familiar with the route to it. He would like to attack, but he doesn't trust his green volunteers to make a success at it just yet. After all, they weren't much better trained than the troops at Bull Run after all.

ooc
alll of this is so he can attack when he is ready and turn Lee's flank or mount a pursuit if Lee moves back or hold in place and bloody Lee's army if Lee moves forward. Even Green volunteers should be able to adequately hold entrenchments.


OOC: You've got the Silk Lake to the East of you and the area is hilly/mountainous and lacking any sort of roads to move an army on. It's kind of a Bottleneck.

hey, what is the main thread for this it is really good

hey, what is the main thread for this it is really good


http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=458369


Sorry though, we aren't taking any more players at the moment.

Lee, realising that this is as good a place to fight as any he could have found in Western Virginia, decides to make a fight of it. Using a refused flank tactic he attacks with the mountainous area anchoring one flank and a cavalry reserve in place to deter Union cavalry on his other. He holds the first division in reserve and sends in his second and third divisions, under the cover of artillery bombardment, onto the Union defences. His men have orders to advance to 60 yards and open fire. Then to unleash the rebel yell and charge home. It is hoped in the bottleneck the Union numbers will have little meaning, and a heavy assault will cause a panic and throw the Unionists back. Casualties will be heavy, but victory is possible.

By attacking only one flank, the plan is that Grant's men on the other side of the battlefield will not be able to aid their comrades, and as they are busy entrenching the other side of the battlefield it will take some time to bring them back to order.

Any cavalry attacks by Union cavalry will be met by artillery and by Confederate cavalry who well be held in a reserve all under the command of the Colonel of the 4rd North Carolina.


ooc: These plans apply if I am attacking across open ground. However, Council has said that the Silk Lake is a river on the flank, and Galveston has said it is a river which has to be forded, which is correct?

OOC: i'm dead serious there are NO flanking manevers

YOU ARE IN A VALLEY!!!

OOC: i'm dead serious there are NO flanking manevers

YOU ARE IN A VALLEY!!!


Noted. Now am I crossing a river or not?

You are in a valley, there is a river running predominantly east/west through the valley. Union troops are on the North side of the river, Confederate troops are on the South. Most likely, flanking manuvers are not possible. At best, you can concentrate your forced to smash one of the flanks, however there is no manuvering capable here.

Gen. Lee, to reiterate, in order to attack Grant's possitions, you would have to cross the river somewhere.

Silk Lake is manmade, and does not exist.

Once Lee posts his updated battleplans, part 2 of the battle will begin.

Having made no contact with the enemy, Hancock has begun a stready march to Charleston. He is pressing his green troops hard, hoping to take Charleston and block Lee's retreat.

Having made no contact with the enemy, Hancock has begun a stready march to Charleston. He is pressing his green troops hard, hoping to take Charleston and block Lee's retreat.

You will start on the 20th (When I post what happens) a full 70 miles (as the crow flies) from Charleston. No contact whatsoever with the enemy is observed.

Grants plans

If sufficient time is available, the relief of the 2nd Division by the 1st Division occurs, and the 2nd Division is the Corps reserve along with the 3rd Division as it moves up. Orders are to hold, and if the Rebels achieve a break in the line, hit hard with the 2nd Division. Otherwise, let the Rebs come on and shoot them down. If not enough time, the 2nd Division remains in place and the 1st Division handles its job as reserve and counterattack force.

As rifled muskets have an effective range of 400 yards, and artillery slightly more, Grant expects with confidence to break any Rebel assault or at least bleed it heavily.

Well, in the face of the circumstances Lee will attack before the Yanks have a chance to truly dig in on the left flank. The 3rd Division will make a preliminary attack on the right, but with orders not to press home the attack fully and to avoid stupid casualties. When Grant has committed reserves, the 1st and 2nd Divisions will hit the left. The cavalry will be amalgamated under the command of the 3rd North Carolina's Colonel and will be held in reserve to counter Union Cavalry manouvres. Artillery will fire on the right flank so as to reinforce the feint.

Well, in the face of the circumstances Lee will attack before the Yanks have a chance to truly dig in on the left flank. The 3rd Division will make a preliminary attack on the right, but with orders not to press home the attack fully and to avoid stupid casualties. When Grant has committed reserves, the 1st and 2nd Divisions will hit the left. The cavalry will be amalgamated under the command of the 3rd North Carolina's Colonel and will be held in reserve to counter Union Cavalry manouvres. Artillery will fire on the right flank so as to reinforce the feint.


OOC: Unless Manarth would like to contradict me, the river is probably too deep to ford as it was suffeciently Deep enough to dam up and make a Resevoir out of down stream. And the Terrain is rough enough that moving troops along anywhere would mean only using the road. This is what i've been able to judge from the maps i've been able to dig up about Sutton. (you had to pick the fucking middle of nowhere to fight didn't you) As there are no major roads elsewhere within a few miles, and very ROUGH AND MOUNTANIOUS terrain. You can't pull a flanking maneuver. Like I said Earlier. It's a bottleneck.

August 20th
The Battle of Sutton, Day 2

Maj. Gen U. S. Grant

vs.

Bvt. Lt. Gen. R. E. Lee

The orders have been given to the troops, and early the next morning the preliminary battleplans take effect:

0700 hours

Working in shifts throughout the night, the Union army has constructed makeshift trenches around the small town of Sutton. 3rd Divsion has not yet shown up, it's commander deciding to stop for the night at 2100 hours the previous day, and started marching again at sunup. 4th Division and the US Cavalry was sitting in reserve behind the town. 1st Division had replaced the 4th and was relatively fresh for lack of work and march throughout the night, while 2nd Division was relatively speaking tired from working on trenches.

On the Confederate side of the river, preparations for the battle continued. One possible location for a ford was found on the right side, but proved to be too deep for the scouts that tried to cross it, spoiling their powder when they tried to swim across. Lee's Divsional Generals, seeing the inoportune possition both sides are in at this point, begin to push for a defensive battle on their side of the river. With no way to cross aside for the cannon blasted bridge, they see no reason not to set up camp and wait the Union out, as the Union forces need this ford in order to advance on Charleston.

Hancock is still 2 days march from Charleston, and while Charleston has been alerted to his movements, runners from there still have not reached Lee.

Grant prepares to ask very hard questions of the commander of the 3rd Division about his decision to stop for the night, as the rest of the Corps was busy all night long and he had ordered the 3rd Division to move up as soon as possible.

(ooc, Grant is very willing to sack the incompetent, but will listen to acceptable reasons).

Comfortable with the knowledge that for logistical reasons alone, Lee will not be staying long, Grant orders the 4th Division to relieve the 2nd Division so that it can rest as well. He wants his troops fresh for the inevitable hard march to come.

Hancock pushes his troops into a forced march, hoping to make Charleston while Lee seems to be off elsewhere. He sends a courier, escorted by a cavalry troop, to find Grant and get a report on his position.

Grant prepares to ask very hard questions of the commander of the 3rd Division about his decision to stop for the night, as the rest of the Corps was busy all night long and he had ordered the 3rd Division to move up as soon as possible.

(ooc, Grant is very willing to sack the incompetent, but will listen to acceptable reasons).

Comfortable with the knowledge that for logistical reasons alone, Lee will not be staying long, Grant orders the 4th Division to relieve the 2nd Division so that it can rest as well. He wants his troops fresh for the inevitable hard march to come.

August 20th
1100 hours

Grant's 3rd Division arrives, after a 4 hour march. The commander of the Division quickly rushes in to talk with Grant, and explains in length the efforts he took to ensure that his men were fresh and ready for combat and extolls the benefits of marching by day, and not making a forced march at night. Throughout the discussion, he appologizes profusely for his slowness during the march, and promisses that in the future he will take any measures necessary to have his troops where they are needed, no matter the distance they must make in a single day.

Lee's forces have not yet made a move to cross the river, as his generals discuss the best possible move. Several Regemental commanders, working on their own initiative, have begun defensive preparations, but by and large the army remains geared for a possible offence.

Several Confederate skirmishers fire at the Union side of the river, prompting a short Union exchange, which in turn accomplished nothing.

1200 hours

Lt. Gen. Hancock's courier begins to ride near Charleston, and discussion with the locals revels to the messenger that Lee's forces have abandoned the city to engage Grant. The courier, a young LT., sends the cavalry soldier back to Hancock telling him that the city is defending by only a small militia, and rides on alone towards Grant's approach. The cavalry soldier is still 3 hours ride from Lt. Gen. Hancock's possition.

OOC: If Clans has any objections to this post, please call me and we'll work them out. I'm sorry I didn't get to talk to you today.

Grant decides to give the commander of the 3rd Division another chance. He also orders every single gun in the corps to be concentrated at a central point (near the bridge on the main road is probably best) and orders that fire be directed at a single Rebel brigade until corps artillery ammunition is down to 25%.

After all, if it becomes a race, the artillery won't be able to keep up anyway. It also might give the Rebels something to ponder as regards to his plans. It also might just chew up a Rebel brigade as well.

Erm, is there anywhere at all we can cross the river?

Erm, is there anywhere at all we can cross the river?

Probably. Wherever there is another bridge, on another road, probably about 20 miles away. In the terms of this battle. NO. As i've been making clear since i made this goddamn battle thread.

OOC: Gintonpar - You can't attack Grant's possition unless you want to charge across the bridge.

August 20th - Day 2
1300 hours

Union artillery begins to pound the Confederate side of the river, against the 5th South Carolina Brigade. The confederate batteries on the south side open up in response, fireing indescriminately on the Union possitions. The confederates are outgunned by the Union artillery, and Battery commanders order the Confederate guns to conserve ammunition.

The result after the first thirty minutes of fireing is: One demoralized and damaged Confederate Unit (the 5th South Carolina of the 3rd Division), several light casualties in the Union side, specifically in the 2nd California of the 1st Division and 4th Illinois of the 3rd Division, which had deployed most directly in front of the bridge. (OOC: Grant, I'm assuming that you had the 3rd Division releave your cavalry again)

After the artillery bombardment, Grant took stock of the situation. The 2nd and 4th Divisions were both in reserve, along with the Cavalry brigade. On the line were the 1st and 3rd divisions, both of which were in entrenchments waiting to see if the Rebels were going to attempt an attack.

Scouts, from the cavalry brigade, as well as the well trained Regular infantry brigades from both the 2nd and 4th Divisions were on both flanks, out to a distance of 20 miles, waiting to see if the Rebels would try anything in the rugged terrain on either flank. This was viewed as unlikely.

More couriers were sent to Hancock to apprise him of the lastest information about the situation here.

Grant was on his 10th cigar of the day, and was eating some hardtack and salt pork, washed down with some sassafras tea. He had promised his friend the Senator from Ohio that he wouldn't drink, and he aimed to keep that promise.

Not that he needed it. it was good to feel useful again after nearly a decade of failure after success in the Mexican War and failure in the peacetime army.

August 21st - Day 3
0700

The day and night have gone by without either side committing to crossing the bridge. Hancock has recieved word that Charleston is essentially undefended, and that Lee's forces have marched on to Grant. His courier finally arrives at Grant's possition at 0600 hours, his horse near death, to report on Hancock's possition.

Starting at 1330 hours, the Union artillery shifted from it's bombardment slightly, in order to launch counterbattery strikes on Lee's artillery. The commanders of the Confederate batteries, finding themselves horribly outgunned, are silenced, and forced to repossition themselves farther back from the line. With several Union guns on standby, in case the Rebels set up shop again, the Union forces continue to pound the rebel possitions, further draining the 5th South Carolina.

Confederate skirmishers report union movements to the East and West along the river, but this seems to Lee's generals to be more of a worry of a downriver crossing than an actual attack.

Hancock is pushing his troops hard, covering most of the distance to Charleston, he is still a good hard days march from the city. Messengers from the city have reached Lee, with the commander of the small town militia asking for guidance about what to do when the Union army arrives at the town.

Confident that he is in a country with little enemy activity, hnacock dispatches the 1st Indiana avalry brigade to ride ahead and scout the city. If they run into serious resistance from Confederate troops, they are to fall back and wait for the infantry to come up.

Grant sends word for the brigade commanders of the 1st and 2nd US brigades to meet with him. He orders them both to send out patrols a couple hours after dark, composed of handpicked men. He wants veterans of the Indian Wars out west who have the experience in Indian fighting and the skills of moving quietly in unfriendly territory to man these patrols

Grant wants to know if Lee moves out during the night.

OOC: The end of Day 3 and the beginning of Day 4 would be here, but the *$%^ing forum ate my post. I'll try again later when I've calmed down.

Sorry Christmas consumed my life for a couple days.

Well, I know its my fault for not researching it but it does seem a little stupid the situation I am in. Nevertheless. I guess we will move out as soon as we can, if there is a way of moving towards friendly troops on the territory we still control I would take that, but failing that I will leave 1 brigade to form a rearguard and then march to meet Hancock. And if I had been able to post earlier then I would have moved out as soon as I knew there was only one way across the bridge, I don't know whether or not you want to take that into consideration.

Sorry Christmas consumed my life for a couple days.

Well, I know its my fault for not researching it but it does seem a little stupid the situation I am in. Nevertheless. I guess we will move out as soon as we can, if there is a way of moving towards friendly troops on the territory we still control I would take that, but failing that I will leave 1 brigade to form a rearguard and then march to meet Hancock. And if I had been able to post earlier then I would have moved out as soon as I knew there was only one way across the bridge, I don't know whether or not you want to take that into consideration.


we might have taken that into consideration.

IF YOU HAD LISTENED.

I stated many times that, THE BRIDGE WAS THE ONLY WAY ACROSS.

A couple of hours before dark Grant orders the artillery bombardment to cease.

He has plans for the night and wants all his troops to get a hot meal if possible.