During the month of June 1863, Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia was on the move to invade the north. The Union army needed a strong defensive position to meet the threat and to defend Baltimore and Washingon. The Pipe Creek line was the proposed defensive position chosen by Maj. Gen George G. Meade when he assumed command of The Army of The Potomac on June 28th, 1863. Read more about The Pipe Creek Line
By July 1st, Meade's Pipe Creek Line was nearly complete with five of the seven corps in position. The line of course had to be abandoned as the general engagement which both Gen. Heth and Gen. Buford had been cautioned not to bring on, was already under way in the town of Gettysburg.
This package depicts the fictional Battle of Pipe Creek had the Union army retreated to the Pipe Creek Line after the fighting on July 1st.
What the package includes:
- Three five mile maps covering The Pipe Creek Line in Carroll County, MD.
- Six single player scenarios covering the battle.
- Three multiplayer scenarios.
Purchase now!
http://www.shareit.com/product.html?productid=300460628
Pipe Creek Back Story Part 1:
Situation, Gettysburg, PA, July 1, 1863.
The fighting has been heavy all afternoon in and around the town of Gettysburg.
Lee brings up Anderson’s Division about 4 PM from Knoxlyn Ridge. They take the place of Rodes Division northwest of Gettysburg.
Rodes followed by Johnson moves east past Gettysburg. Early holds the town and reorganizes his division.
Early demonstrates at the base of Cemetery Hill and gets pounded by artillery for his troubles. Johnson’s Division attacks Culp’s Hill and Rodes follows to the east between Culp’s Hill and Wolf Hill. Johnson gets bogged down on Culp’s Hill fighting the Iron Brigade and the stream of reinforcements that Hancock sends in. Williams and Geary counterattack Rodes and hold long enough for the remaining Union forces to move south towards the Round Tops.
At dark, the weary Confederates hold Cemetery Hill as well as Culp’s Hill. The Union forces are just north of the Round Tops. Hancock does not like this ground and recommends to Meade that the army withdraw to a better location.
Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, bloodied and exhausted from the days fighting, decides to remain in Gettysburg until the following morning.
UNION ORDERS
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Taneytown, July 1, 1863.
Having held the enemy in check sufficiently long, the commanding general has decided to withdraw the army from its present position, and form line of battle with the left resting in the neighborhood of Middleburg, and the right at Manchester, the general direction being that of Pipe Creek. For this purpose the following movements are ordered.
First Corps - Depart immediately south via the Taneytown Road to Taneytown, then take the Taneytown Pike approximately 4 miles towards Westminster and take up defensive positions East of Pipe Creek and South along Pipe Creek connecting with Eleventh Corps.
Second Corps – Depart Bonaughtown immediately south to Littlestown and then South on the Littlestown Pike through Union Mills. Proceed to Frizzelburg and go into camp. Second Corps will be held in reserve in the vicinity of Uniontown and Frizellburg, to be thrown to the point of strongest attack, should the enemy make it.
Third Corps – Following passage of First Corps and the artillery reserve take the same route of march. Take up defensive positions North of the Taneytown Pike and to the east of Pipe Creek. Connect with Twelfth Corps.
Fifth Corps – Depart immediately South via the Baltimore Pike, pass through Littlestown and proceed south on the Littlestown Pike to Union Mills. Take up defensive positions south of Pipe Creek and east along Pipe Creek connecting with Sixth Corps.
Sixth Corps – Take up defensive position North of Manchester and south of Pipe Creek covering the Hanover Pike and west along Pipe creek connecting with Fifth Corps on their arrival.
Eleventh Corps- Depart immediately south via the Emmitsburg Pike, pass through Emmitsburg, and then march East on the Uniontown Road. Halt at Middleburg and take up defensive positions covering the Uniontown Road and connecting North along the south side of Pipe Creek with First Corps.
Twelfth Corps – Following passage of Fifth Corps and the artillery reserve, march South via the Baltimore Pike, pass through Littlestown and proceed south on the Littlestown Pike to Union Mills. Take up defensive positions south of Pipe Creek and west along Pipe Creek connecting with Third Corps.
On arrival, General Slocum will take command of the center consisting of Twelvth Corps and Fifth Corps covering the Littlestown Turnpike.
On arrival, General Hancock will take command of the left, consisting of First, Third and Eleventh Corps covering Middleburg and the Taneytown Pike.
Artillery Reserve – Part to follow Fifth Corps on the march and continue past Union Mills and proceed to Frizzelburg. The other part is to follow First Corps and then continue down the Taneytown Pike to Frizzelburg. On arrival, the reserve is to be placed in position, or sent to corps, as circumstances may require, under the general supervision of the chief of artillery. The chief of artillery will examine the line, and select positions for artillery.
Cavalry – The cavalry will remain at Gettysburg covering the Emmitsburg, Taneytown and Baltimore Pikes. They will remain in contact with the Confederate Army and regularly report on it movements to the Commanding General. If the Confederates take up the pursuit, the cavalry will skirmish with the Confederates to delay their advance but will not bring on a serious engagement. The cavalry will be held on the right and left flanks of the army after the movement is completed. On the right flank, they will cover East from Manchester and on the left flank, cover west of Middleburg.
The chief signal officer will examine the line thoroughly, and at once, upon the commencement of this movement, extend telegraphic communication from each of the following points to general headquarters near Frizellburg, viz, Manchester, Union Mills, Middleburg, and the Taneytown road.
Corps commanders, with their officers commanding artillery and the divisions, should make themselves thoroughly familiar with the country indicated, all the roads and positions, so that no possible confusion can ensue, and that the movement be done with good order, precision, and care, without loss or any detriment to the morale of the troops.
Roads and ways to move to the right or left of the general line should be studied and thoroughly understood. All movements of troops should be concealed, and our dispositions kept from the enemy. Their knowledge of these dispositions would be fatal to our success, and the greatest care must be taken to prevent such an occurrence.
General headquarters will be at Frizellburg; General Slocum as near Union Mills as the line will render best for him; General Hancock at or near the road from Taneytown to Westminster.
The trains and impedimenta will all be sent to the rear of Westminster.
By command of Major-General Meade:
S. WILLIAMS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
CONFEDERATE ORDERS
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.
The Army of the Potomac departed to the south late last night. General Hampton's brigade of Stuart's division was detached to screen the enemy's movements. General Stuart reports that they have made it as far as the area of Westminster.
The commanding general orders The Army of Northern Virginia to vacate its position immediately in pursuit of the enemy.
I. General Longstreet's 1st Corps will depart south via the Taneytown Road to Taneytown, then take the Taneytown Pike south towards Westminster. General Pickett reports that his division is still at least a day's march from the rest of the army. A courier has been sent informing him of the movements of the 1st Corps and he will join up with General Longstreet at his earliest convenience.
II. General Ewell's 2nd Corps will depart east via the Hanover Road to Hanover, then south towards Manchester.
III. General A.P. Hill's 3rd Corps will depart southeast via the Baltimore Pike to Littlestown then south towards Union Mills.
IV. General Stuart will designate a small cavalry command of two squadrons to precede and follow the army in its line of march. It has also been reported that at least a portion of the Union cavalry has remained south of Gettysburg. The remaining forces from Stuart's division will remain in Gettysburg to cover the rear of the army and to engage the Union cavalry if necessary.
V. The trains which accompany the army will habitually move between the leading and the rear corps, each under the charge of their respective chief quartermasters. Corps commanders will see that the officers remain with their trains, and that they move steadily and quietly, and that the animals are properly cared for.
VI. The commanding general earnestly exhorts each corps commander to see that every officer exerts the utmost vigilance, steadiness, and boldness during the whole march.
R. E. LEE,
General.
