April 12, 1862
9:15 AM
Samuel Heintzelman just left one of the most uncomfortable conversations of his life. He had arrived at the Lacy House to find that McClellan was already speaking to his two subordinates. And these weren't just
any two officers...this was Joe Hooker and Phil Kearny. Two very big personalities that weren't shy about their problems with George McClellan.
Joseph Hooker, from Massachusetts, graduated West Point in 1837. He has experience in the Seminole and Mexican Wars. In Mexico he became quite popular with the local girls, who nicknamed him "the handsome captain". In 1853 he left the military, moved to California, and gave farming a try. It didn't go very well, with habitual drinking and gambling putting further strain on his finances.
When the Civil War broke out, his application for a commission was rejected because of his bad relationship with Winfield Scott. Not taking "no" for an answer, he borrowed some money to make the trip east to watch the First Battle of Bull Run. Needless to say, he had
a lot of constructive criticism, and once again offered his services. This time he got his way, and even helped McClellan organize and train the Army of the Potomac.
So what's the problem? He's charismatic, popular, talented, and driven...just the sort of leader we need. Well, to put it bluntly, he thinks McClellan is too soft. Sure, McClellan was a star cadet and is obviously brilliant, but does he have what it takes to order men to their deaths? Is he a fighter? Joe Hooker says "no, absolutely not". Never one to mince words, Hooker has very little respect for McClellan's abilities as a soldier and doesn't seem to care about hiding it.
Which brings us to Phil Kearny. Born to an extremely wealthy New York City family (his dad founded the New York Stock exchange), he always wanted a military career. But his parents died when he was very young, and his grandfather insisted he enter a career in law. When he was 25, his grandfather died and Phil instantly joined his uncle's cavalry regiment and never looked back. He soon traveled to France, using his vast wealth to further his military education.
(side note...was Phil Kearny secretly Batman? Has anyone ever seen the two in the same room?)
He lost his left arm in the Mexican War, and spent some time travelling the world, fighting Austrians with Napoleon III...pretty stereotypical 1800s rich person stuff. In 1861 he offered his services instantly, but like Hooker he was rejected. But also like Hooker he got himself a position after the disaster at Bull Run. He organized the "First Jersey Brigade" but was promoted to division command and had to leave his old brigade behind.
Even though he and Hooker come from different economic backgrounds, they are united in their dislike of McClellan. They both believe McClellan is very book-smart, but unfit to command an army of this size. They also both have very colorful reputations: Hooker as the hard-drinkin', hard-fightin' ladies man. Kearny as the aristocratic, passionate gentleman. If you've had your fill of the all-night card games, drinking, and rowdiness of Hooker's camp, you can head on over to Kearny's camp for a classier, more European experience. Tons of decadent food and novelties from across the Atlantic, all paid for out of Kearny's own pocket of course.
Yes, this is a very interesting and eccentric bunch of individuals, and poor Samuel Heintzelman is stuck in the middle of all of this.
THE PLAN
As you can see, the Lacy House is near the intersection of the Orange Turnpike and the Germanna Plank Road. To the southeast lies Spotsylvania, our destination where hopefully we can meet up with the I Corps as Lincoln promised.
But first we have to deal with what's going on in The Wilderness. We know Longstreet and McLaws are somewhere west of us, possibly somewhere around either Saunders Field or the Higgerson House. Hooker will do a sweep west to try and gauge the position and size of the rebel force. Cause D.H. Hill, Huger, and Whiting might be out there as well...there's no way to say 100% who we are dealing with here.
Behind the first line, Kearny will support Hooker as needed. During the meeting, Kearny loudly suggested that he do a similar sweep to the south, but McClellan shot him down. Then Kearny loudly reminded McClellan of that cornfield just south of the Lacy House, and how the Rebs could sneak up on us, and McClellan shot him down again. Then Hooker quietly mentioned that his middle brigade could probably offer enough support, and that he didn't need Kearny's
entire division to support him, and Kearny loudly agreed...
Like I said, it was a very uncomfortable time for poor Samuel Heintzelman.
While Hooker and Kearny do their sweep west, "Baldy" Smith's division of the IV Corps will work on securing that cornfield that Kearny was so worried about. The other two divisions of the IV Corps (Couch and Casey) will arrive within the hour. They, like Smith, will be in charge of defending the area around Lacy House and the crossroads. Sumner and his II Corps should be in the area around noon.
9:43 AM
The 70th New York of "The Excelsior Brigade" is the first of Hooker's men to spot the enemy. They are on the left, on the road just south of the Orange Plank Road. The rest of the brigade is not far behind. They have been instructed to head towards the sound of firing, and to form behind the 70th as they fall back.
As the 70th fires the first shots of the battle, Colonel Nelson Taylor comes racing up behind them to get a look at the situation.
("Hey! What happened to Dan Sickles? I thought the Excelsior Brigade was his!"
More on him later, because holy **** we need to talk about how interesting Dan Sickles' life has been so far)