Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Hazards

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Pattern

​Part VII of XIII

“… Burnside was his boss.”
“Yuck.”
“Burnside ordered Sturgis: ‘to carry the bridge at all hazards.’”
“The bridge?”
“At all hazards.”
“Carrying the bridge doesn’t threaten Lee’s flank.”
“Crossing at the fords does that.”
“Burnside knew the fords were unguarded?”
“Knew for hours.”
“Yet orders Sturgis, after numerous failed assaults, to assault the bridge again.”
“Makes sense if one wants waste.”
“Wasted Yanks save Lee.”
“The fords were less than three miles away by road Gus.”
“Did no recon.”
“Burnside sent the infantry through the woods.”
“Blindly.”
“And slowly.”
“Cavalry?”
“Ten companies available.”
“But Burnside didn’t use them to find the fords?”
“No – and had 24 hours to do so.”
“More than incompetence Johnny.”
“Seeing a pattern?”
“A pattern of treason.”
“Let’s step right Gus.”
“Let’s …”

Next Up: 9 April and part VIII of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Usurpation Day 2022.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

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