The Civil War: Generals and Soldiers (IC Open)

[Euronion]

It was late May in the year 1861, one month after the battle of Fort Sumter, after the South had declared war on the Union. The South claims it's right to secede and declares itself independent while the North seeks to restore the Union. Both President Lincoln and President Davis have issued their orders to their respective generals. It is now up to these brave men to resolve this great conflict for which the ramifications will echo throughout history. This war, however, shall not be decided by toy soldiers being moved around on a map, it shall be fought and ultimately either won or lost by the soldier. The soldier, the man who faces the gunfire, the man who carries the banner, the man who charges with bayonet fixed into a hail of enemy resistance. It is the soldier who braves the cannons, it is the soldier who rides the horse and carries the sword, it is the soldier who chooses to hold his ground or to flee for his life. One thing is certain, one side shall win and the other side shall lose, but until then, the war of the Blue and the Grey, the war between North and South, the war between the USA and the CSA has begun and no one but God himself knows how long and how bloody it shall be.

Link to OOC: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=276829&p=18085606#p18085606

[The Orson Empire]

General George B. McClellan was organizing an army in Ohio. President Lincoln issued a call for 75,000 volunteers in the Union Army. Thousands of men in Ohio were signing up left and right, and McClellan was scrambling in order to process them and set up training camps. However, while Union generals were coming up with their individual strategies, McClellan had thought up a strategy that he believed would end the rebellion very quickly. He called for 80,000 soldiers to invade Virginia through the Kanawha Valley and occupy Richmond. He also thought of an alternative, which had these men cross the Ohio River into Kentucky and Tennessee instead. McClellan sent a telegram to Lincoln with his suggestions.

[Gibberan]

May 1, 1861, 1100 hours
Dear Jane,

It has been some time since I have written you but facilities for mailing of letters is rather limited. I suppose I may expect you to get this some time early this summer and, if I am lucky, I may get my answer by August. I remember that today is May the 1st and that it is also your birthday. The best I can do is to write a letter to you on your special day, and say Happy Birthday. It's tough our here, but I've been able to keep going all the time and, aside from feeling disagreeable, I have been alright. How are you? In your last letter, you said that Andrew's first birthday had gone well. Tat was about a month ago, so you must have gotten my present for him. Is he doing well? I hope he's all right, the paper says there's a bout of the flu going around, but I'm sure you're taking good care of him.

There is little to write about, it seems. When I started to write, I thought I might be able to write quite a letter, but this war is getting so frightful that it takes all the pep out of one. The scenery is about the same all the time except every once in a while there's an amry installation somewhere or other. How I miss the rolling green hills of Langley! I don't think I'll be able to be there anytime soon, but I'll keep writing, don't worry. It's just that there has been a lot going on lately. The army is in chaos. I hate to say it, but it's true. After Fort Sumter, I've been getting the increasing feeling that no one knows what to do. They say it will only last a month or two, but I'm still not positive about that. Those darned rebels have been putting up quite a fight. I heard a Captain Thrift got captured last week, and I can't help but worry he's your brother. I tell you Jane, this war is tearing this country apart. Not to talk defeatist, but I think it would have been easier to just let the states secede and to get it over with. Although I definitely do not support that notion, I think it's going to be much harder this way.

All the troops are gearing up for action. I have been put in charge of a battalion of fine young men, all from Illinois. The 11th Illinois Volunteers, it's called. I know they will do well for us, but they are inexperienced, and scared. And I have to confess, so am I.

Don't be surprised or feel hurt if my letters are short. There is so much we can't say that I usually tell you about and then conditions for writing of letters are going to be decidedly poor, I am afraid. I will write all that I can and as often as possible and I hope that you get them all. I wish you all sorts of good luck and happiness for your birthday. This seems like an inconsistency as you may get this in a month or two, but I am sure you know my thoughts of you tonight.

With much love and regards,
Wilton

[Jamessonia]

Winchester, Virginia, May 1861

The town was abuzz. Men and woman walked excitedly down the streets, exclaiming their jubilance at the secession and the formation of the Confederacy. Colonel James Preston leaned on the facade of a building which boasted Williams General Store, Finest in Virginia! He looked in front of him at the scene developing.

It was the edge of town, but instead of being deserted it was bustling with life. Scores of young men (in their early twenties most of them) practically jumped up and down with excitement as they approached a man dressed in a fine grey uniform. This gentleman heartily exclaimed,

"Boys, boys, don't you worry! Ya'll will become men soon, so git in line and wait your turn!"

Evidently these buzzing bees of young men didn't feel the same way. They scrambled towards the front, eager to get their names down on the roster. Every time on name was put down, that boy was given a grey uniform (nowhere as nice as the recruiter's, but to them it was the best gift they'd ever received) and directed to report back in two days' time. They all bounded off, to seduce some young barmaid after they'd drunk all they could afford. James Preston picked some straw off the ground, wiped it off, and stuck it in his mouth.

The colonel walked over to the long line of boys. The boys were still scrambling and horsing around in line, that didn't change. Preston then turned to the recruiter, who looked at him proudly.

"Hello, Colonel! Your regiment will be very full, the best you can ask for, as you see!"

The prospective recruits turned to look at Preston, suddenly quieter. The recruiter looked at them in surprise, and then spoke happily, and perhaps a little condescendingly.

"That quieted them up! Look now, boys, this is gonna be your colonel! He'll be giving you orders day in and day out, so show him respect, you hear?"

The mass looked at Preston with admiration in their eyes.

Preston smiled and nodded.

[Paketo]

Late May, 1861
The B&O railroad
General Jackson, 1st person

The men were crouched about waiting for the signal that a train would be coming. They suddenly heard a wistle. "All right get ready, time for us to catch a train" I yelled out. The men gave out a yell as they got ready. This was the goal of brigade, to capture trains and disrupt the union supply lines using the B&O railroads. The train came into view and was soon jumped by the men. It was stopped and captured within minutes and looked to be a mighty fine haul. "What we got here private" I asked one of my men. "General Jackson, we gots a few coal cars and two cars full of food. We will be eating mighty fine tonight" replied the private. "Good work boy, tell the men to hook up the wagons and take me back to harpers ferry" I Ordered. "Yes sir" said the private before running off to the men who had started to gather around the cars.

3rd person

This was the fourth train raid made by the men under Jackson's command but it would be the last. Jackson could not risk upsetting the southern sympathizers in the area by stopping more trains. Within a few hours, the cars had been hooked up to horses and were being carried to harpers ferry where Jackson had command. It had been a fruitful day for his men.

[Estado Paulista]

Private McCarthy blankly stared at the pen and paper given to him. The war had barely begun, yet he wished he would return home already. He could listen to other soldier-boys braving southern mottos, some younger than him.

"We'll run the Yankees over in a week!"

"God is in our cause!"

Robbie was skeptic about this; and annoyed at the thought of God supporting such a dubious cause, as the good Catholic he was. Since young age, Robert was taught by his father Éoin that conflicts are resolved by sword and not by God. The romanticism attributed to war was in his opinion, disturbing.

The sight of an older soldier smoking a rolled cigarrete reached Robbie's eyes. Robert got up and approached him.

"Hello, mister."

The older man stared at Robbie's face, expressionless.

"Do you know how to read, and write?"

The man nodded.

"Could you please write a letter to my family?"

"What do you want me to write?"

---

Dear Mother,

Virginia is colder than I tought. I hope I am home soon, and I am sure you do as well. Hopefully, I will be bringing us money. Maybe as much as one hundred dollars. Please, try and manage things carefully while I'm gone. The boys say the war will last some months, at the absolute most so I will not take long. I hope you are fine, and I hope the same for my father, brothers and sisters and for our ranch as well. I do not know if I will be able to write as soon as I wish, but I promise I will try my hardest.

Your son, Robert

[Marsisian]

Richmond, Virginia
1st Person

"Mr. President, I request that I be given command of a regiment." "The other generals are doing just fine. Jackson's trying to disrupt some supply lines."

"Mr. President, I think that I could do good in command of a regiment." "Really?" "Yes, sir." "Well then, I'll give you command of a regiment." "Yes, sir. I won't let you down."

3rd Person

General Beauregard was inspecting the troops. "Now men, you know why you're here. You have been placed under my command, and I expect you to be in top shape for our eventual march to Washington." "Yes, sir!" "Good." Then the General went back into his quarters and thought about the war. "If we make a lightning strike for Washington..."

[Anarchist States Of America]

May 1, 1861, 1100 hours
"Goddamn I hate it here." Henry said to himself. "I hate the cause, I hate the leaders, I hate the fact my ass is gonna be in Virginia... Jesus Christ why do we have to do this? Just let the hicks be and be done with it." He walked around the facility and looked at the list of soldiers in his platoon and looked around. "This is too great. How many of these Illinois soldiers will he have?" He put the paper down, and went to the armory, and grabbed a Lorenz Rifle and smiled. 'If they expect me to fight, might as well use a great gun' he thought. He grabbed the gun, a revolver, and snagged a knife and stuck it into his boot. He put on his hat which basically hovered over his shoulder length hair, and continued to walk around. Seeing a Man who just sent out a letter. He noticed he was a Colonel and walked up to him. "Hello Colonel, seeing I kinda want to know who is here, I'd like to introduce myself. I'm Private Henry Marquoi, and you are?" He looked at the colonel and held his hand out towards him.

[Arlenton]

Near Vicksburg, Mississippi
May 1861

Private Alterson had received a standard grey uniform, grey kepi cap, and a Springfield M1861 Musket with bayonet when he enlisted. He had brought along an old Colt Walker revolver given to him by an old plantation owner from his hometown before he left to go to war.
Alterson sat around a campfire with other soldiers, all eager to fight, talking about the war and how they wanted to burn DC to the ground. Some men waved bowie knives in excitement, other fired their revolvers in to the air, Alterson was fueled with adrenaline and ready for his orders.

[Lolloh]

St. Louis, Missouri
Grant looked dismally at the paper. All those journalist nuts cared about was Virginia Virginia Virginia! They never looked to the west, those bozos. Oh well. Grant had just had his plan approved by the President. With an army of 20.000 infantry, 1.000 cavalry, and 150 guns, most of them from Illinois, he would hold the Missouri front. Kentucky was a neutral buffer, so the war was now all about Missouri. His plan was to take Missouri, then set up garrisons along the border with Arkansas to protect against a Southern invasion of the state. From scouts and such, it appeared that a Confederate army was assembling in force to take Missouri as well. So be it.

[Mifan]

May 14,1961
Near Chicago, Illinois
General Shepard was looking over the new regiment handed over to him. The 13th was just a bunch of rookies who barely had three months of training. I'm a general, and I end up getting a bunch of rookies?! Well I can't complain, these men are better than draftees. At least they know how to shoot and load a musket. Training was set in three hours as the men would need it before going into combat. Until his men were needed Sherman wouldn't move them until the situation actually required them. He did want to end this war quickly, and decided to make a plan to actually do it. Going into his tent, he took one last look at his men, knowing most won't make it home.

[Marsisian]

Richmond, Virginia
3rd Person

General Beauregard was writing a letter to the Mississippi Regiment outside Vicksburg, Mississippi. "They could be useful in the 7th Virginia."

To the Vicksburg Unit
From the Commander of the 7th Virginia Regiment, General P.G.T. Beauregard

I have officially placed you into the Regiment. We shall rendezvous at the Confederate State of Tennessee. May we get there quickly.

Signed, Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard

Then, he went outside. "Bugler, play assembly." The men came clamoring. "Today we are going to march to Tennessee to rendezvous with another unit who has been placed under my command. Now, let's move out!" They went out the doors of the fort, and began their journey. All the soldiers climbed on to a train, and they set off for Tennessee.

[Lolloh]

Grant had just received word that he might not have the forces he wanted. The President told him to get more troopers. Grant the sent letters to two separate Illinois regiments.

To: 11th and 13th Illinois Volunteers
From: General Grant, Army of the Missouri
Due to shortages of men, I immediately request that all of your soldiers head towards St. Louis to join my army. We will have other regiments there as well.

Despite his hopes, Grant down scaled: 12.000 men, 100 cavalry, and 40 artillery guns was what he hoped to raise for his fight.

[Arlenton]

Near Vicksburg, Mississippi
May 1861

The company Captain received a letter:
"To the Vicksburg Unit
From the Commander of the 7th Virginia Regiment, General P.G.T. Beauregard

I have officially placed you into the Regiment. We shall rendezvous at the Confederate State of Tennessee. May we get there quickly."

Signed, Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard

The Captain ordered his troops Northeast, in to Tennessee to link up with the 7th Virginia. They boarded a train in Vicksburg and headed to Tennessee. Private Alterson and the rest of his company were jubilant with the order, they would finally see action.

[The Orson Empire]

May 1861
Maryland

Now that it was May, General McClellan had managed to get an army organized. He called it the Army of Ohio, due to it had been created in that state. However, McClellan chose to put off his ambitions in Virginia in pursuit of another goal: he wanted to send a force to Maryland in order to occupy it. He knew that Maryland was full of Southern sympathizers, and he did not want Maryland defecting to the Confederacy, otherwise Washington, D.C. would be surrounded by rebel forces.

A total of 18,000 soldiers, 2,000 cavalry, and 200 guns were loaded onto railway cars, and they took the train into southern Pennsylvania. From there, McClellan and his forces began a march towards Baltimore.

As McClellan road his horse along side his troops, he used his hanker-chief to wipe the sweat off of his face. The heat of the summer was brutal. Troops guzzled down the water in their canteens. They had been organizing and moving since late April, and they were ready to quickly put an end to this revolt.

[Marsisian]

Virginia-Tennessee Border

When the 7th came in on the train, some citizens waved at them, they smiled. On the train, General Beauregard was making plans for the rendezvous of the Mississippi and the 7th Virginia, after they linked up, they would take a train back to Virginia, and then possibly move into Maryland. After he was finished, he joined some soldiers on the chair. He met an old soldier. "Who are you?" "I'm Corporal Dave Mathens, sir." "Corporal, huh? I'm promoting you to Sergeant." "Thank you, sir. It's good to know some soldiers are being congratulated for their service in the army."

Halfway to Nashville, Tennessee

The soldiers and General Beauregard were talking about the course of the war. "Those Union guys got more money, don't they?" "Yes, they do." "But we have more fighting spirit!" "That's true. We are gonna win this war for the South!"

[Arlenton]

The Mississippian company arrived at Nashville, TN eager to fight and awaited their army organization, they were to be part of the Army of Mississippi led by General Beauregard.

[Marsisian]

The Mississippian company arrived at Nashville, TN eager to fight and awaited their army organization, they were to be part of the Army of Mississippi led by General Beauregard.

Nashville, Tennessee

The General walked in front of the men. "Hello, men. Now, you are to be a part of the Army of the Mississippi led by me. We must defend our great Confederate States from the Union hands. So, we must make a movement into Maryland first." Then he got on the train and said, "Come on, Regiment! We've got a nation to defend!" He called the soldiers on to the train back to Virginia.

[Arlenton]

The Mississippian company arrived at Nashville, TN eager to fight and awaited their army organization, they were to be part of the Army of Mississippi led by General Beauregard.

Nashville, Tennessee

The General walked in front of the men. "Hello, men. Now, you are to be a part of the Army of the Mississippi led by me. We must defend our great Confederate States from the Union hands. So, we must make a movement into Maryland first." Then he got on the train and said, "Come on, Regiment! We've got a nation to defend!" He called the soldiers on to the train back to Virginia.

Alterson was placed in the 3rd Mississippi Regiment, part of the Army of the Mississippi. The regiment was on its way to Virginia.

[Marsisian]

On the Train

General Beauregard was walking on the train, when he met a private. He looked at him, and said "What's your name?"

OOC: Arlenton, I'm speaking to your character.

[Arlenton]

On the Train

General Beauregard was walking on the train, when he met a private. He looked at him, and said "What's your name?"

OOC: Arlenton, I'm speaking to your character.

Private Chuck Alterson, Sir! Ready to drive the Yankees all the way to Main!

[Marsisian]

On the Train

General Beauregard was walking on the train, when he met a private. He looked at him, and said "What's your name?"

OOC: Arlenton, I'm speaking to your character.

Private Chuck Alterson, Sir! Ready to drive the Yankees all the way to Main!

On the Train

"Well, Private Alterson, I like you. You're enthusiastic, and willing to fight the Yanks all the way to Maine. I'm promoting you to Sergeant Major, Alterson." Then, General Beauregard put the Sergeant Major stripes on his uniform. "Good job, Sergeant."

[Arlenton]

Private Chuck Alterson, Sir! Ready to drive the Yankees all the way to Main!

On the Train

"Well, Private Alterson, I like you. You're enthusiastic, and willing to fight the Yanks all the way to Maine. I'm promoting you to Sergeant Major, Alterson." Then, General Beauregard put the Sergeant Major stripes on his uniform. "Good job, Sergeant."

Thank you sir, I cant wait to plant a secessionist flag over DC!

[Marsisian]

On the Train

"Well, Private Alterson, I like you. You're enthusiastic, and willing to fight the Yanks all the way to Maine. I'm promoting you to Sergeant Major, Alterson." Then, General Beauregard put the Sergeant Major stripes on his uniform. "Good job, Sergeant."

Thank you sir, I cant wait to plant a secessionist flag over DC!

"Good." Then General Beauregard went into his room, and found out that the Army of Mississippi was transferred to Arkansas. Then he went to Sergeant Alterson.
"Alterson! Tell the engineer to stop the train! We need to go to Arkansas, not Virginia!"

[Arlenton]

Thank you sir, I cant wait to plant a secessionist flag over DC!

"Good." Then General Beauregard went into his room, and found out that the Army of Mississippi was transferred to Arkansas. Then he went to Sergeant Alterson.
"Alterson! Tell the engineer to stop the train! We need to go to Arkansas, not Virginia!"

Alterson ran to the engine room, "Turn this thing around, were going west! To Arkansas"
The engineer took the order and the Army was headed West.