Twilight Sparkle was huffing and puffing as she continued the march at the head of the Army of Ponyville as they approached the outskirts of the Hawkeye State. It was the beginning of June and the weather had been unusually hot in the 85 to 95 degree range. The air was hot and muggy as the Army of Ponyville continued to march on. "I bet those Union chumps are suffering just as much as we are" she muttered under her breath. She could hear the clanging of metal, the pattering of hooves, and the panting of tongues. Twilight was called upon by Celestia to invade the state of Iowa and threaten the right flank of the Union and the heartland itself. Twilight's Army was far more experienced and trained then even Celestia's Army. Before Twilight even began her long march to the Hawkeye State she sent scouts to observe Sioux City to make sure it was safe to enter and that any Union Army was far away for safe entry. As Twilight approached the border she saw a sign:
Welcome to Iowa the Hawkeye State
Twilight let out a slight chuckle and continued her long march. Before her was a long open road with fields spread on either side. Many green stalks of corn extended their reach for many more miles. A couple of trees dotted the landscape but, nothing much else. If one had a telescope you could make out a couple of farms and silos sparsely put but, they were too far out of reach of the objective so Twilight did not bother.
"Major Emerald" Twilight called to one of her subordinates. A tall stallion with a grey coat and green jacket trotted up to Twilight.
"Yes General?" the Major replied.
"I sent those scouts out what 2 days ago and I have no idea where they are. Have you heard any word?" Twilight asked.
"Sadly no General I-" the Major was suddenly cut short as a young pegasus fluttered next to Twilight.
"Hello General" the pegasus said with a salute. It was one of the scouts that Twilight had sent out. A very young mare with a speckled white coat and good stature. Twilight saluted back.
"You have been gone two days. What have you got?" Twilight questioned the scout.
"Yes General well" the scout said reaching for a map inside her haversack "General we travelled many miles and found Sioux City. As of currently there are no signs of the Union Army within at least 200 miles. The City is in fact little more than 10 miles away from this exact spot" the scout finished. Twilight's face lit up slightly.
"Well that is some good news. If we quicken our pace we could be at the outskirts of the city in three hours or less. Thank You young Scout you have helped keep this Army safe from destruction" Twilight said with a salute. The Scout returned the salute. Twilight then called out and the Army quickened its pace.
*3 hours later*
Twilight looked out with a telescope out at the city of Sioux. Her Army had marched very hard for three hours to approach the city and were exhausted after over a 500 mile march in total but, the ponies still wanted a good fight. Twilight let them rest for a short while as she observed the city and looked over her many maps and battle plans.
Sioux City was the traditional MidWest City not to big but, big enough for settlers or explorers going west. It had a population of 3,500 people who were sparsely spread apart but, the community was tightly niched. The town had a general store, drug store, Sheriff's office, bars, two hotels, and had a Farmer's Market on the Weekends in the Mid Spring to the Early Fall. The perfect representation of a MidWest town.
"Quite nice and small. Shouldn't put up much of a fight" Twilight thought to herself. She stared through the telescope again and looked around the many plains and prairies stretching east and north. There was no sign of the enemy only fields filled with corn or some other product with the occasional silo or tree. Twilight stared back down at her map and called for her other generals. They all configured in a large tent made of canvas. The map was dotted with many purple squares representing the forces of Twilight's Army with a small intricate square in the center of the map representing Sioux City.
"My fellow ponies, this is where we begin our assault into the Union's heartland. After receiving vital information from my scouts I have found out there are no enemy forces within 200 miles so our assault will most likely commence without bloodshed. First, I want a slight artillery barrage made on the town not so much as to crater the place but, more as to frighten and shake the people. Then I want a wide sweeping formation from my left flank and then followed with a sweep from the right and center. I want this attack carried out in 1 hour and I want that city taken before dusk" she said with slight assurance in her voice. Twilight was the kind of general who always needed everything to follow a precise schedule and there were to be no muck ups or that subordinate officer would face her wrath. "Do I make that clear?" she said her face filled with seriousness and coldness. The Generals nodded their heads. Twilight's Generals were some of the best tacticians in Equestria since they were trained by one of the greatest generals in Equestrian history. There were 3 Corps Commanders each with 2 divisions under their command.
General Jasmine was a soft spoken pegasus who had a silver blue coat with an elegant white mane that shimmered in the sun. General Iron was a hard talking, heavy drinking unicorn who was gruff with a black coat that could conceal him in any night. General Violet was a fiery and passionate earth pony with a purple and grey coat that made her look extremely fearsome and frightening. These were the great generals of Twilight's Army of Ponyville.
"Now General Iron you will carry out the sweep on my left flank while Jasmine and Violet you will follow up with the sweeps from the center and the right okay?" Twilight said. Jasmine nodded her head and Violet felt slightly angered since she wanted to carry out the main attack.
"Ok General I will whip those Union bastards into submission. You can count on it" General Iron said in his gruff and deep toned voice with a salute. Twilight returned the salute and Iron trotted off towards his Corps to tell his divisional commanders to prepare for the attack. Jasmine and Violet followed in suit. Twilight headed out of her tent and looked out upon the field of battle and the city.
*1 hour passed*
Twilight motioned over one of her subordinates. A young pegasus with a flowing red mane.
"Yes General?" the subordinate said with a salute.
"Go tell the Chief of Artillery to begin lightly shelling the city and then fly to General Iron and tell him to begin his attack in exactly 30 minutes" Twilight ordered. The subordinate saluted and then trotted off to the Chief of Artillery. Within minutes the sound of cannon fire erupted along the many plains and great red plumes began to appear down at the city below. The city was made of wood so it already began to be scorched. But, Twilight could care less.
*30 Minutes Later*
Twilight watched with her telescope as the divisions of General Iron's Corps began marching on the city. The dark purple armor cast a slight shimmer against the sun that was now at half mast across the sky. Each brigade held two flags one representing the Army of Ponyville and one symbolizing the crest of Celestia. It was a spectacle worth seeing. Twilight could see a few townsfolk mostly men fire upon the ponies with guns but, that did little to stop the onslaught. The fighting townsfolk fell and were swallowed up by the wave of purple. Twilight then turned her head to the center of her lines and her left. Another great set of waves began to approach towards the city. Twilight could only smile at the spectacle taking place. Was this really the best the Union had? A couple of backwood hillbillies with pop guns.
An hour or so passed before a subordinate pegasus of General Iron flew to Twilight carrying some parchment.
"General Twilight this is from General Iron" the pegasus said with a salute. Twilight saluted back and took the parchment.
Sioux City Captured. No serious casualties only minor injuries. Townsfolk are all dead. Awaiting further orders. General Iron
Twilight looked out with her telescope and smiled widely. The flags of her Army were dancing high in the air with her soldiers cheering greatly at their victory. The sun only then began to depart upon the victorious troops of Ponyville.
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"General Thomas General Thomas sir wake up" one of George Henry Thomas's subordinates said trying to shake the general awake. General Thomas shot up in anger and sleepy eyed.
"What is it Colonel? Whatever it maybe it better be important otherwise I will see you go on a 20 mile hike" Thomas said rubbing his eyes. General Thomas and the Army of the Cumberland had been taken by train from Carbondale to Chicago and then to Des Moines, Iowa and then had to march 84 miles in the dead heat of Iowa in June for 1 day and 1 1/2 nights before arriving at Fort Dodge. Thomas was extremely exhausted after marching and also from tediously planning his defense and possible attack against the Equestrian forces in the area. Unbeknownst to Twilight and her forces who watched every step they took coming into the Hawkeye state they were being watched by a small batch of scouts darting all over the place and riding hard for almost an entire day and night to get back to Fort Dodge in time. The Colonel gulped.
"General sir this a very important message. Sioux City has fallen and there is a large Equestrian Army within the area now" the Colonel said handing Thomas the scout messages. Thomas took the messages and read them over and grew wide eyed.
"God help those people in Sioux City. They are probably all dead but, there is nothing you nor I could have done about it. Well since I have already been rattled as it is I will get up" Thomas said stretching himself and sitting on the side of his cot. He shoved each of his feet into one of his black leather boots that were caked with mud he then stood up and did some of his daily stretches. He went over to his desk and grabbed his general's coat and buttoned it up and fitted his hat upon his head. The Colonel held open the tent flap for General Thomas.
"Thank You Colonel" the General said with a slight smile. The air was still still muggy and hot yet the moon showed brightly in the sky. It was 1 am the scouts had only arrived about 1 hour before. Many tents lined everywhere with campfires gloomily lit giving some other light then from the moon with guards watching keenly for any sudden movements from the plains beyond or in front of their own faces. Thomas then turned to the Colonel.
"Wake all of my Corps Commanders and have them meet me here. But, let the boys sleep for a little while longer they will need it" Thomas said. The Colonel rushed off and headed to find and wake the Corps Commanders. Thomas stared at the moon and lit a cigar. His nerves were rock hard but, he was slightly terrified at these ponies after seeing of what damage they caused at Carbondale to his troops.
*25 minutes later*
General George H Thomas, General David S. Stanley (IV Corps), General John M. Palmer (XIV Corps), General Joseph Hooker (XX Corps), and General Washington Elliott (Cavalry Corps) surrounded a map of eastern Iowa with a large red circle around Sioux City. Large Blue Squares surrounded Fort Dodge and small intricate black squares indicated small towns and cities between the two large cities. Thomas was staring over the map tapping Sioux City with his finger and occasionally sipping some water. The air was deathly still and quiet you could hear a fly switch between two leaves at least three miles away. Then General Stanley spoke up.
"General sir I understand the seriousness of the situation but, I do need orders or what you need us to do to meet this threat head on or by surprise?" Stanley asked with an eyebrow raised. The other generals looked on at Thomas who had shut his eyes deep in thought. His finger continued to tap the paper.
"Stanley sir, this threat I believe might be more difficult than what we faced in Carbondale. Gentlemen you all know that Carbondale was a difficult and long drawn out fight in which we lost many men but, I fear blood shed might be even far greater in the battle to come. If we are to meet the enemy on the field then we cannot allow their spies to spot us upon the morn we must travel by night and form at this town" Thomas said pointing to a small town "Correctionville. It serves as a good vantage point for us and there is actually some woods on the west side of town. If we can hold those then not only will our troops be shaded from the heat but, it will allow our snipers to not be so out in the open. Now General Stanley I want you to form on the right flank and serve as the anchor in these fields and woods" Thomas said pointing to Stanley who looked over his position and where to put his divisions in the most effective way possible. "General Palmer I want you to be set in the center woods and hold until the very last do not break or budge because there will be nobody on your back except your own divisions" Thomas said pointing at Palmer's position in the center which Palmer then studied. "General Hooker I want you on the left of this army in Bacon Creek and at the Little Sioux River wrapping the rest of your force around in the fields" Thomas said pointing at Hooker's position on the left flank which Hooker looked over. "Finally General Elliott I need your cavalry to be ready for any attacks that will try to wheel around the right or left flank" Thomas said pointing to the edges of the right and left flanks of the two Corps Elliott studied the paper intricately. "Also Gentlemen have your Gatlings positioned into the air if their any sudden aerial attacks without those then we couldn't stand a chance from their diving bombing pegasus" Thomas said while his generals studied their set positions and copied them down onto their own maps.
"One last thing Gentlemen if we lose at Correctionville then the way through Fort Dodge, Des Moines, and the heartland of this nation will be open. We cannot lose. Is that understood?" Thomas said with fury in his voice. His generals looked up and nodded. Thomas was a brilliant tactician and when he saw potential in a good advantage point that was more than 80 miles away from their already set position he would use it to the best he could.
"Alright Gentlemen awake your troops immediately and get your ranks formed, cavalry saddled, cannons readied, and be set in 2 hours" General Thomas said with a salute. The Generals returned the salute and hurried out towards the areas where their Corps were located getting them ready for the march. Thomas stepped out of his tent and stared at the moon. Its brightness still showing in the hot and muggy air like a massive snowball in the middle of hell.
*2 hours later*
The Army of the Cumberland was set and ready to march off from Fort Dodge. The many soldiers had tired and sleepy expressions on their faces but, determination was in their hearts to repel this foe from the Union. Thomas finished getting himself dressed and headed out towards the front of the army where his subordinates waited for him to give the command to move. Thomas looked on at the closest brigades the flag of the union and of the regiment bounced slightly in the cool night wind.
"ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND PREPARE" Thomas yelled. The subordinates followed suit and sounds could be heard down the line repeating the command.
"MARCH" Thomas yelled as he started the long haul. The word was repeated down the line and the soldiers marched off to the tiny town of Correctionville.
*one very slow and tedious day and four hours later*
Thomas felt his legs ache and crack as he walked to the first tree in the forest. The Army of the Cumberland had finally arrived to Correctionville after a tedious day of constant scout patrols and slow movement worrying about spies and enemy scouts. It was two am when the Army finally arrived at the western outskirts of Correctionville. Thomas slumped down and rested against the tree sipping a canteen after marching in the dead heat of Iowa in cotton. Couriers from the Corps commanders came towards him.
They all asked the same question "should they begin building fortifications their men are exhausted but, the general awaits your order?" the couriers would ask. Thomas lifted his hat slightly up revealing his eyes.
"Tell General Stanley the sooner his men get the fortifications and breastworks up the more time they have to sleep and rest" Thomas finished by getting on to his legs and heading over to where the makeshift commander center had been set up with his subordinates. The couriers then scurried away back to their commanders. Thomas then could hear the sound of axes, shovels, and picks busily cutting or digging in preparation. "Music to my ears" Thomas said with a slight chuckle.
*three hours later at the first sing of morning light*
Thomas awoke when it was first light and immediately headed out to the fortifications and inspected each one thoroughly. Great mounds of earth had been piled up and tree trunks were used as makeshift pillboxes. Almost any vantage point their was a piece of artillery would sit upon it. The Gatling guns had their noses pointed straight to the sky. Then he would meet each of his Corps Commanders and their Divisional Commanders to make sure everything was according to plan. The Army of the Cumberland was set.
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*the night before*
Twilight was busily talking with her Corps Generals when a Pegasus scout came into the room. She was planning the Army's next movements deeper into Iowa.
"General Twilight?" the scout said dread filled her voice as she raised a hoof in a salute. Twilight turned to the scout and returned the salute.
"What is it?" she asked. The scout handed her the parchment which Twilight took and began to read. Twilight's face filled with shock which slowly broiled into fury and frustration.
"BY CELESTIA'S MANE, THE UNION IS IN IOWA" Twilight yelled in anger. Jasmine, Iron, and Violet looked on rather confused. Jasmine waved the scout away so he would not bear the brunt of the wrath starting to flow from Twilight. Violet approached Twilight.
"What do you mean Twilight? Iowa is a state in the Union" she said. Twilight shot her an angered look.
"I know that but, there is a Union Army in Iowa. Some enemy scouts must have found out because now there is an army 33 miles away entrenched" Twilight groaned. She was a meticulous planner but, she could easily be unravelled if things did not go according to plan. Her Generals were still slightly confused.
"Can't we simply go around the enemy? We could sneak away" Violet said.
"We can't because if the Union Army finds out we have gone around they could strike us from behind and wreck us. We must destroy them and put an end to their nuisance" she said pounding a hoof. The Armies of Equestria were all but blind without their scouts and spies in the Union. The generals nodded in agreement the opposing Union force had to be destroyed.
Twilight immediately went through with her generals how they would attack. "Okay my fellow ponies in the message it said that the enemy was deeply entrenched, gatlings were pointed at the sky, and every vantage point was covered with a cannon. Any way we go will be heavily monitored and observed. There will be much bloodshed on this day sadly. Now General Jasmine I want you to come through the top half of these woods to the north" Twilight pointed to the upper half of the forest north on the outskirts of Correctionville.
"Oh Okay" Jasmine said in a very small voice as she wrote down where she would put her troops on her own map.
Twilight then turned to Iron "General Iron I need you to pound the center of their lines with a heavy cannon barrage to soften them up and then charge head strong but, make sure that your troops are sparsely put so they will not get killed in chunks."
"Alright Twilight I will make those blue bloods howl" Iron said with fury as he wrote down the locations and placements of his troops in the center.
Twilight turned lastly to Violet "General Violet I need you to try and take some of the pressure off of Iron so I want you to try and swing around the enemy on the right and try to defeat the Corps. But, be careful because the enemy is backed up against a river which some of your troops might not be able to traverse."
"Yes General I will make the Union pigs reel" Violet said with a snicker as she turned to write down her troop positions.
"My fellow ponies I want this Army on the move in less than 2 hours" Twilight said. The Generals nodded and headed off towards their respected camps to prepare their Corps. Twilight stared back down at her map and went through the meticulous process of writing and memorizing every location and troop strength of the enemy.
*2 hours later*
"MARCH" yelled Twilight at the head of the column. Voices shouted down the line the same word and the Army of Ponyville began marching to meet the Army of the Cumberland.
*The Sun is just barely rising over the plains when the Army of Ponyville gets into position just out of cannon range*
Twilight looked through her telescope at the Union positions. They were indeed heavily entrenched and she could make out a couple gatling guns pointed into the sky. She studied over her maps again.
"There is no other statistical way of getting around this entrenchment and blood not being spilled. I fear the....worst..*sniff*....will...*chokes*....befall...*quiet sob*....us...all" Twilight said to herself as tears streamed down her face. Twilight then galloped out to a brigade of ponies waiting to begin the attack. They all cheered great cheers when they saw Twilight. She waved her hoof triumphantly in the air trying to form a powerful smile.
Twilight looked at the faces of these ponies. They were some of the toughest, fiercest, great, and powerful ponies in all of Equestria. Their faces ranged from young to old but, they all had seen their shares of war. Twilight had tears streaming down her cheeks knowing a majority of these fine soldiers would probably never come back as their destiny awaited them. The soldiers continued to cheer and cheer waving their swords, spears, and flags triumphantly in the air. Some couriers suddenly appeared.
"General Twilight can General Jasmine begin her attack?" asked a courier.
"General Twilight can General Iron begin his attack?" asked a courier.
"General Twilight can General Violet begin her attack?" asked a courier.
Tears continued to stream down Twilight's face. She did not want to face death, defeat, or shame. "I'm sorry" Twilight chocked.
"Ma'm are you okay?" the couriers asked in unison. Twilight gained her composure and turned to the couriers.
"Yes you may begin the attack" she replied.
--------------------------
General Thomas had just finished inspecting the center of the Union entrenchments then he heard cannon fire. Thomas turned to General Stanley.
"Is that our artillery?" Thomas asked Stanley.
"No sir but, it seems something is coming" Stanley said handing Thomas a pair of binoculars and pointing over his shoulder. Thomas was not extremely surprised at what he saw. The entire other side of the prairie was erupting with fire and large purple squares stood at the ready. Soon many shells began to blow up over their heads.
"Return Fire immediately and have the troops set to their positions. They are coming" Thomas said rushing for cover. Stanley drew his sword and rallied his troops to their positions and sent a courier to begin firing at the other end of the prairie. Soon the sounds of cannon fire back in forth echoed through the air.
"Hold Fast Boys hold fast this is just like Carbondale hold steady" Stanley yelled. His infantrymen had faces of stone at what terror might be coming towards them.
"Colonel and Major" Thomas yelled over to two of his subordinates.
"Yes General Thomas sir?" the Colonel & Major asked in unison.
"One of you got General Hooker and General Palmer and alert them of the enemy's presence and to expect an attack at any time" Thomas said in a calm voice but, his nerves were slightly jagged. They both saluted and ran off in either direction. Thomas wiped his brow with a handkerchief.
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(Hooker's XX Corps Southern Part of Battlefield)
"General Hooker beg to report!" yelled the Major with a salute. General Hooker turned to the Major and returned the salute.
"What is Major?" asked Hooker.
"General Thomas says that the enemy is already beginning an attack and he says to be on high alert for any sudden enemy attack or presence within your sector" said the Major. Hooker suddenly grew wide eyed.
"Need not worry Major" Hooker said pointing over the Major's shoulder "the enemy is already here".
Great waves of purple armor started marching towards the heavily entrenched columns of blue. The Union soldiers poured on volley after volley into the great lines of ponies and unicorns but, they continued to march after many of their number had fallen. Soon enough a few brigades had suddenly broken through the Union line causing havoc. Hooker ran out of his tent with his subordinates in hot pursuit.
"PUT IN A RESERVE DON'T LET THEM WALK ALL OVER US!" yelled Hooker. A subordinate ran off towards a spare brigade and they immediately went to work plugging in the hole. Cannons began to pour on more and more shot and canister into the ponies lines but, the cannonade from the ponies was just as furious. Smoke began to choke the field as did the cries of the wounded. Hooker looked on with his binoculars just a little farther down towards unprotected line of the river and saw small masses of purple trying to come up behind.
It was a diversionary attack. Hooker ran towards two fresh brigades.
"Run to the end of that field over there and stop those ponies from reaching the other side of the shore" Hooker yelled amid the chaos. The brigadier generals nodded and ran their brigades as fast as they could to the southern end of the field. Hooker looked on at the current carnage in the woods and fields. Fierce hand to hand fighting had ensued. Tails and limbs were being ripped from their owners, flags would constantly drop and then be taken back up again, and bayonets and swords clanged in the air with sheer terror. Pegasus soldiers began to dive bomb the Union troops and drop rocks or grab the soldiers and drop them from great heights. The Gatling Guns pushed with all their might until their barrels were white hot trying to bring down the Pegasus foes. A subordinate grabbed Hooker by the arm.
"General please stay back we can't lose you" said the subordinate officer. Hooker nodded knowing the line would collapse if he died. He watched on with binoculars at the carnage ensuing further down river. The ponies and two brigades had gotten into a furious fight on the bank of the river and in the river itself causing many to meet a watery demise by being dragged down by their armor or pack.
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(Palmer XIV Corps Northern Part of Battlefield)
"General Palmer beg to report sir!" yelled the Colonel with an exhausted salute. General Palmer turned to the Colonel with a rather hectic salute.
"What is it Colonel?" the General asked worry and anxiety filling his voice.
"General Thomas says the enemy is beginning their attack and wants to tell you to be on high alert for any enemy attack or presence in your area" the Colonel said resting his hands on his knees catching his breath.
"Need not worry Colonel the enemy is already here" General Palmer said pointing through a clearing of trees the onslaught that was already occurring. Purple armored unicorns were already trying to do great damage and death with their magic against the blue clad men. Both sides fired cannon back in forth but, the trees on the Union's side seemed to be catching fire and only progressed since their was a slight wind and the heat was unbearable.
"PUSH THEM BACK SOLDIERS PUSH THEM BACK TROOPS DRIVE THEM BAC-*oh*"YOU ARE GONNA GET IT YOU BASTARD!" yelled Palmer as he drew his sword and dueled with a unicorn. The soldiers looked on at their General and some diverted and shot the Unicorn and begged the General go to the rear. The General fired a few shots from his pistol before retiring behind the cannonade. He stared through his binoculars.
The ponies were sending great waves of troops and Palmer could only send so many as to conserve for later efforts. If the enemy sent a brigade he could only send in two regiments.
"I need two regiments to plug up that hole immediately" Palmer said turning to one of his subordinates. The subordinate would then salute and return with two fresh regiments. Palmer was holding against all as his troops were pushed harder and harder pouring volley after volley.
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(General Stanley IV Corps Center of the Union Line)
Suddenly the cannon barrage stopped. Many of Stanley's soldiers lay dead but, many also managed to survive against the terrible onslaught. Stanley and Thomas had their eyes glued to their binoculars. The Colonel and Major got there just in time.
"General Thomas, General Hooker is holding against all but, is slipping slightly" the Major said out of breath with a salute.
"General Thomas, General Palmer is holding very well but, the enemy is relentless" the Colonel said exhausted with a salute. Thomas saluted both back without giving them a glance. Suddenly the great purple ranks began to rush forward at the entrenchments of Stanley's forces. The Union cannon continued to pour on more and more but, that did not deter the enemy. Leading the charge of these great ranks was a large unicorn in black armor. Any shot fired at him was deflected.
When the enemy forces got within firing range of the Union forces muskets they began to gallop into the onslaught of fire. The Union soldiers were staring destiny and death in the face. The ponies slammed into the Union fortifications causing havoc.
General Stanley turned to a subordinate "Bring three more brigades on the double" he yelled. The subordinate ran off to get the brigades.
"Somebody has to stop that black unicorn!" yelled Stanley. General Iron was causing havoc amongst the Union ranks like Princess Luna did back in Carbondale.
General Thomas began to walk forward in the direction of the black unicorn. Stanley tried to stop Thomas "Don't Thomas we need you stop stop we can't lose you STOP STOP!!!!" yelled Stanley but, to no avail. Thomas unsheathed his sword and began to sing the words to the Battle Hymn of the Republic.
My eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the lord,
He is trampling out the vintage where the Grapes of Wrath were stored,
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:
HIS TRUTH IS MARCHING ON!!!
Thomas's sword met Iron's horn. The two generals clashed and clanged at one another as the battle continued to rage on. Fire and Anger burned in their eyes.
"Where are those brigades?" Stanley yelled. The subordinate had still not returned with the brigades.
General Iron smiled evilly "You are filthy swine and should rot in what ever hell hole you came out of".
General Thomas kept his face determined and solid "You are the one's who are intruding on our lives. I will see you are the one that is destroyed". Suddenly Thomas began to feel himself slip.
"GOD DAMN IT WHERE ARE THOSE BRIGADES!!!!" yelled General Stanley. He could hear something far off in the distance but, looked on in horror as Thomas was laying on his back with General Iron bearing down on him. Thomas held his sword over his chest trying to stop the stab by General Iron.
"YOU PATHETIC FOOL NOW YOU SHALL DIE!!!" yelled General Iron as his horn was about to plunge. As General Thomas slowly began to close his eyes accepting his fate a great wave of blue overcame and he saw General Iron no longer on the ground but, instead pinned by 5 Michigan Union Soldiers. One soldier stabbed General Iron through the chest with a sharpened bayonet.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!" echoed Iron's scream through the air and then was silenced by a gunshot. The Ponies looked on at their General Iron laying dead with 5 Union soldiers standing over him they suddenly bolted or surrendered. General Stanley helped up General Thomas and retrieved his blade. Thomas walked over to the five soldiers. They saluted as did Thomas.
"I owe my life to you Gentlemen Thank You" Thomas said shaking each one's hand. Thomas then looked over at a fallen Stars and Stripes and held it aloft in the air. This mighty stone man began to cry tears and bawl as his soldiers cheered him on.
The center of the Union Line had held.
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(Twilight Headquarters for the Army of Ponyville)
Twilight looked on with her telescope at every angle of the battlefield watching keenly when the ponies were gaining the upper hand. She suddenly saw tons of General Iron's troops fleeing in mass. Twilight galloped at full speed to meet them.
"DON'T RUN STAND FIRM SOLDIERS STAND FIRM!" yelled Twilight. Some began to rally around her while others continued to run or were picked off by snipers.
"General Iron is dead" yelled a few soldiers. It hit Twilight dead on. One of her greatest generals dead, her fiercest, her most brutal, and most powerful now gone. She felt like a shattered mirror with a thousand missing pieces. She tried to gain her composure, when suddenly two couriers came towards her.
"General Twilight beg to report" they both said in unison with a salute. She returned the salute.
"General Violet's forces have broken and suffered heavy losses. What remains of her command are returning to this position" one courier said.
"General Jasmine's forces have suffered 75% losses and are retreating with many wounded to this position" the other said. Twilight's eyes welled up with tears. She began to bawl as troops began to gather around their once proud and now broken general.
Soon enough Generals Jasmine and Violet appeared. Jasmine had one of her wings bandaged from a sniper bullet and half of her flank had cut and scratch marks. Her eyes were full of tears.
"I'm sorry General Twilight. We failed you I'm so sorry. I should have pushed my troops harder. I'm too soft" Jasmine said her head down with tears dripping in great waves. Twilight could only look at this already fragile pegasus(AUNO: NOT LIKE FLUTTERSHY) who was suddenly broken beyond repair. Twilight put a hoof to Jasmine's chin and looked into her tear filled eyes.
"Don't worry Jasmine it was never your fault it-" Twilight said before being cut off.
"It was my fault" yelled out Violet. Her back left leg was bandaged and she had blood trickling down her side. Tears welled up in her eyes "I should have been far more careful and cautious when attacking the Union. All those ponies lost" she said as she began to bawl. This tough back talking earth pony was suddenly nothing more but, like a crying foal. The troops began to cry out it was none of their faults.
"IT WAS MY FAULT!!!" Twilight yelled at the top of her lungs tears streaming down her face as her troops and subordinate officers looked on surprised. "I should have known attacking a place like this was a disaster from the beginning. I should have pushed harder" she said turning Violet "but, I should have also been more cautious" she said turning to Jasmine. The troops began to cry out No or they should try again. But, Twilight held up a hoof.
"Now here me friends here me there will be another day to fight but, it is not this day. Now we must show good order and never let the enemy see you run. We will be back again...someday..." Twilight said as her troops cheered her on. Jasmine and Violet trotted over to Twilight's side.
"What are your orders now General?" they asked. Twilight looked at the many dead bodies, crushed weapons, burnt flags, and at her two out of three Corps Commanders left. She dug slightly at the dirt and then a single tear dripped down her face.
"Retreat" she said.
-----------------------
General Thomas, General Stanley, General Palmer, General Hooker, and General Elliott gathered around a campfire resting themselves.
"So General Hooker" General Thomas asked "How was the fighting in your sector?"
"Very fierce General very fierce. I do fear there were many casualties but, we did drive the enemy from the field" Hooker said.
"That is good" Thomas said gloomily "General Palmer how about you?"
"The enemy set fire to the trees periodically but, we managed even though we were nearly broken three times. There were massive casualties" Palmer finished his voicing choking thinking of all the dead.
General Thomas turned to General Stanley. They nodded. Thomas agreed to tell the other generals what happened in the center after they had gathered the wounded and better established their position. Thomas then turned to General Elliott.
"Well General Elliott the enemy never truly got to surrounding us. But, still how was protecting the back of the flanks?" Thomas asked.
"It was fine General we were mostly idle but, the occasional Pegasus would fly in and we would kill it swiftly" Elliott said staring at his boots. General Thomas checked his watch, it was 2 am. He yawned a great yawn and looked up at the moon.
"Gentlemen I think I will retire for the night. Good Night and see you in the morning" General Thomas said getting up and saluting. The other Generals followed suit. General Thomas then headed off for his tent.
Thomas removed his officer's coat, hat, and sword. He took out his pen and paper ready to write telegraph notes to send to Lincoln and Grant. He stopped himself and looked at his sword. He nearly lost his life today but, many of his soldiers lost their lives he was saved yet they weren't.
"War never....*sniffs*....gives....*chokes*...it....only....*slight sobbing*....takes" General Thomas said collapsing into tears.
The Iowa Sector of the Union was now in the safe hands of the Army of the Cumberland.