The Day After Gettysburg by Robert Conroy & J R Dunn

Author:Robert Conroy & J R Dunn
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: Science Fiction, Alternative History, General, Action & Adventure, Fiction
ISBN: 9781481482516
Publisher: Baen
Published: 2017-06-06T05:00:00+00:00

The men of the Sixth Indiana cantered out of their encampment in a long column of twos. They were in high spirits. They were actually going to try to do something, rather than ride patrols around their camp with their thumbs up their asses. The column included several wagons that carried additional supplies and that could be used to transport wounded.

The regiment owned two very small six-pound cannon, but these had been left at their camp. Most of the officers considered them to be nothing more than loud toys. Thorne wasn’t that comfortable with denigrating them or leaving them behind. With their barrels stuffed with pieces of glass and metal, they could do some terrible damage to human flesh. Well, it was too late now.

The regiment was at the head of the column heading down this particular dirt road that seemed merely to connect four or five farms. He wondered if they were all related. Archie Willis thought it was a clear case of incest.

As always, Thorne had scouts and outriders keeping an eye open. Thus it was no surprise when one of the scouts came galloping down the road towards him. “Damn it, soldier, you kill that horse and you pay for it.”

“Sir, the horse is in fine shape. She just got a little lathered up because of the heat and the fact that so many people in this world seem to hate us.”

“I sure as hell hope you’re right. Now what’s got you all hot and bothered?”

“Sir, there’s a hill up ahead and this excuse for a road goes right over it with trees on each side. Looks like a perfect spot for an ambush, if you ask me.”

The scout had done excellent work in the past, so there was no reason to doubt his assessment. Thorne spurred his horse and, along with the scout and half a dozen men, rode to the crest of a hill that fronted the enemy position. The potential enemy position stood higher than the hill they were on. Of enemy soldiers, however, they could see not a one.

Willis rode up. “What’s your pleasure, Major?”

Thorne continued to stare through his telescope. It told him nothing. “Well, if I was either Pleasonton or Custer I’d simply mount up and have the regiment ride though yonder trees. But I’m not either of those men and I have too much respect for the lives of our troops to even consider it.”

“That’s why we all love you, Major.”

“Go to hell, Willis. No, instead send one company around each side of the woods and attempt to penetrate from the rear.” He looked over Willis’ shoulder. “Damn it, here comes Pleasonton. Get the men started real fast before that man gets here and tries to change everything.”

Willis rode off quickly and within minutes had two companies of mounted infantry performing an attempt to envelop the hill which, he realized, was smaller and lower than he had first thought.

“Thorne, what the hell is going on here?” snarled Pleasonton. “Are your

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