LOOK AWAY! : The History of the Confederate States of America in the Civil War

yup, another AoN,


i was in a confederate mood.......

Lol, they havent left yet:


Im writing that part now....

Opening Music

A carriage stops in front of the Washington home of Mr. Stephen Blair, Advisor of President Lincoln

On steps a man in the blue uniform of an American officer, a colonel to be precise.

He is escorted into the parlor, were Mr. Blair Greets him:

“Good Day Colonel, welcome to my Home. I thank you for your haste in getting here.”
“Thank you, Mr. Blair, I am happy to see you again.”

After several moments of silence, Blair again spoke:

“Colonel Lee, please allow me the privilege of getting right to the point. I have been authorized by the President, and with the full support of the War Department, to offer you the rank of Major General, the command of the Army which is being formed to quell the uprising in the Cotton States, and preserve the Union.”

Colonel Robert Edward Lee was shocked, he had expected nothing of the sort. Blair continued:

“The President is issuing the call for volunteers from every state, 75,000 in all. You are the first choice to lead it.”

After a long silence, Lee manages to speak:

“I am assuming Mr. Blair, that this army is meant to invade the cotton states, with force?”

“Of Course Colonel, the Attack on Fort Sumter cannot be ignored. These Rebels must be dealt with.”

After another long pause, Robert E. Lee arose from his chair, “Sir, will you please convey my deepest sense of honor and Gratitude to the President, but I must decline your offer. You must Understand, I have never taken my duties lightly. I am against secession, and the violent path the southern states are following. However several months ago I decided that my greatest duty was to my home, to Virginia. I cannot return to my Home in Arlington leading an invading Army. No, No Mr. Blair, I will not lead it. I cannot lead it. My greatest hope is that Virginia stays in the Union. Please-” He began to become choked up, “please tell the President, that I have never taken my duties as an officer Lightly. But I have no Greater Duty, than to my home, to Virginia. I will go now.

Before departing, Lee hears Mr. Blair say, “I only hope your home will be a safe place, Colonel.”


A week Later, Lee is present when the Virginia legislator announces that they have voted to leave the Union. Robert Edward Lee is offered the position of Commander of the Citizens army of Virginia.

“It is kind and thankful heart that I accept this position, and I pledge myself to my home state of Virginia, on who’s behalf along, will I ever again draw my sword.”

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May 1861: General Thomas Jackson his troops of the newly raised 1st Virginia Brigade
General Thomas Jackson his troops of the newly raised 1st Virginia Brigade

"Men of the valley, citizen-soldiers: I am here at the order of General Robert E. Lee, Commander in all Virginia forces. On April 15th of this year of our Lord, 1861, Simon Cameron, the Secretary of War of the United States sent a telegram to our Governor, John Letcher, directing him to raise three regiments of infantry to be sent to assist in suppressin' the southern confederacy. Governor Letcher's answer is well-known to you, but perhaps not his words.

His wire to Washington stated, "You have chosen to inaugurate civil war. And, having done so, we will meet you in a spirit as determined as the Lincoln Administration has exhibited toward the South."

Two days later, the Virginia Legislature voted for secession.

Just as WE would not send any of our soldiers to march in other states and tyrannize other people, so will we never allow the armies of others to march into our State and tyrannize our people.

Like many of you -- indeed, most of you -- I've always been a Union man. It is not with joy or with a light heart that many of us have welcomed secession. Had our neighbors to the North practiced a less bellicose form of persuasion, perhaps this day might not have come. BUT that day has been thrust upon us like it was THRUST upon our ancestors.

The Lincoln Administration required us to raise three regiments.

TELL them we have done so!

Dismissed. "

Originally posted by Amric
Did you know that Look Away is the name of an actual book by a Civil War historian?

Click to expand...

Lol, wouldnt surprise me, i thought the name sounded too good to have not been used........


Anybody think i should change it?

It fits the 'dixie' intro pretty well i think


-btw, this aar will be totally different from Iron and Blood, this will be more of a story than a history.

I will also use as many music/audio sources as i can, as you can see from the Dixie clip, and from 'Going Home' from The movie Gods and Generals,

In some cases you might think i copy to much, but remember, im not really tryin to im just using whats available:

But i think youll like what i come up with...


-Edit again, i just checked for that book online, sorry about that, i gotta give that guy a call.....



EDIT: DUE TO BUG IN CSA FILES IN AoN This AAR is postponed until further notice, perhaps until Viccy, I shall start a different Normal EU2AAR Shortly, i thank you all for ur support.

Thanks, youll have to give me a few days before i picked this up, i gotta work through a bug in the game, (along with this thing called homework) but i WILL continue this game.

CvM

Usually the Union AI will sue for peace pretty easily.




I dont plan to stop the war like that, lol

I want indemities payed!


(Actually the AI is set so that its more likely i lose, lol )

Music
June 17th: Colorado Territory

Confederate Major Virgil Caine inspects his troops after the first clash of the American civil war. It had been a short fight, the Confederate had only lost 250 men to the Federals’ 1000. This might have been due to the fact that the men of the US army that they had ambushed had not even known there was a war.

“What are the casualties of the Brigade?” Asked Caine, passively.
“137 Killed, 14 Missing and about 100 wounded.” His aide said.
“They are the first,” whispered Caine, “but they will most certainly not be the last…”



“Major, Order the men to advance!” Came the cry from Confederate General Longstreet. “We must push the Yankees out of our homes.”

Longsteet was correct, for Tennessee, along with Arkansas, had joined the Confederacy.


The thick wilderness of Northern Tennessee provided a difficult battleground for the two armies.
The Confederate Forces, Numbering 17,000 men, about the size of a Corps, were commanded by General ‘Pete’ Longstreet.

The battle began with the shelling of Nashville by Federal batteries of Artillery. The Confederates, holding the good ground outside of town, allowed the city proper to fall to Yankee troops, knowing that they would soon after attempt to wrest the high grounds from the Confederate Defenders.

Dug into the hill, the Confederate forces laid low:

“Hold your fire Boys, I ain’t one fer speeches, but don’t fire till you see the white of their eyes.” Addressed Brig. General Forrest to his men. “These men have decided to attack our homes, and we’ll shall meet out to them with no quarter! Show them the black flag!”

The long, neatly formed lines of Yankee troops slowly but surely approached the Confederate lines. Some scattered shots came from the Southern Lines, but for the most part the Confederates remained still.

Further down the line, another Confederate Commander was encouraging his men.


“Steady, they are coming boys, hold your fire. Captain Pendleton, order the men to lie down.”
“Yes sir! First Rank, Lie down! Hug the ground. Second Rank, Kneel!”
With that the 2,000 men of the First Virginia Brigade crouched down and readied for battle.

As the battle developed further down the lines, Near Forrest’s brigade, General Thomas Jackson noticed a large opening on the flank of the Federal lines, it seemed as if the concentration of Confederate Artillery had blown a hole in the Federal Line and had left their flank dangling in the air.

“Now is the time for us to strike. Captain Pendleton, ready the men.”
With that the Yankee lines reached firing range. The long, neat line of Blue stopped at once, and with the command “Fire” A thundering wall of lead bound towards Jackson’s lines.

However many of the shots passed over the 1st Brigades head.
“Rise Up! Rise up and Shoot! Ready! Aim! FIRE!!!”
With that a second thunderous wall of lead smashed into the Blue lines. The dull smack of lead against human flesh could easily be heard from the Confederate lines.

The Federal troops immediately fell back but within minutes they were advancing again. As the Federals drew near General Jackson rode in front of his forces.
“Stand up! Stand up Virginia! Stand up you men, stand up you free men, we’re gonna Charge em’!

Again the federals sent a sheet of flame into the Confederate lines, but the Confederates quickly followed suit with one of their own.

“Now! Charge! Bayonets!”

With that came a shriek unlike anything the Federal troops had ever heard before, along with the piercing yell came a wall of Gray clad troops charging with Bayonets outreached.

The Blue troops fell back in complete disarray, the advance didn’t stop. The small cavalry force the Confederates had on hand were quickly sent into the breach. Soon after Federal troops withdrew from Nashville.

The fight was fierce, but the end the Confederates prevailed. Enemy casualties numbered 9,000 men, while Confederate loss numbered only 3,000

It was then that Longstreet learned that Richmond Virginia, the Capital of the South, had been Besieged by Yankee Troops.


September 13th, 1861:

Forces under General Robert E. Lee were marching toward Richmond when they heard that Federal Forces had landed on the Virginia Peninsula and were advancing along the coast of the Chesapeake. Luckily, there was a large concentration of Militia in the area that were slowing the Federal Advance.

“We musn’t worry about them,.It is all in Gods hands.” Thought Lee to himself

Several Hours later, Richmond could be seen in the distance.


The Battle of Richmond:

From the Confederate Positions 5 miles from town the Federal lines were could be seen clearly. Enemy forces numbered nearly 50,000 men. The confederate forces numbered 45,000 men, including the Corps under General Longstreet fresh off its victory at Nashville.

For a week the Confederate Troops prepared for their offensive, adding Militia from all over Virginia to their ranks On the morning of November 25th, 1861, the first Major battle of the civil war began.


The Federal attack was preceded by a fairly large Artillery barrage. And at 8:57 am, the Federal Troops formed up in their battle lines and advanced on the Confederate Positions.

The first wave crashed into the Confederate lines nearly pushing Lee’s army back. However the Federal advance broke and some Confederate units surged forward after them. However this charge was premature, and the advancing Confederates were slaughtered.

As the Confederate troops fell back, General Bee calls out to General Jackson;
“The Yankee’s have taken Leighton Hill, they are pushing us back!”
“Well sir, then we shall give them the bayonet! Rally your men.” Replied Jackson.

General Bee rode off to his men still streaming across the field.
“Rally men, Rally!.. Look their is Jackson standing like a stonewall. Let determine to die here today and we will conquer! Rally Behind the Virginians!”

A chorus of cheers rang out from the beleaguered men. And rally they did.

Again the Confederate troops repelled the Yankee advance. And after 2 days of battle the Federal troops were forced to withdraw.

The Confederate Army of Northern Virginia had achieved its first victory in the South’s second war for independece.





So ended the first campaign season of the Civil War. As Christmas came, newly elected President Jefferson Davis was pleased to here that he would be receiving his Capital, Richmond in his Christmas stocking.

Update: I added General Jackson's speech to his troops in the
April 1861 section (with audio )