Gen. Broderick vs The Butcher

I drafted a new chapter for Boudica and The Butcher. It was the confrontation between major general Broderick and his subordinate brevet brigadier general Gideon Sheridan (aka The Butcher).

This new chapter went well and occurs well after what I have drafted so far.

Below is the description outlines for Broderick:

Gen. Broderick is a by-the-book two-star general serving in Ohio during a future Second American Civil War that is in its fourth year.

Before the war, he was the national guard commander at Camp Perry outside Port Clinton, OH. Afraid of being surrounded by rebels in Toledo, Port Clinton, and Sandusky, he withdrew south to Marion, OH to establish New Camp Perry.

In the last four years, he has had no success in the war. His men die without gaining territory from the urban rebels.

Broderick hates his subordinate brevet brigadier general Gideon Sheridan as much as he does the rebels. He views Sheridan as a threat to his position in the army.

Sheridan is a favorite of US Senator Sherman (R-OH), who thinks Broderick has bungled the war. Previously, Sheridan was successful in gaining ground on the rebels in Pennsylvania, where he rose from commissioned captain to brevet brigadier general. Sherman brought Sheridan to Ohio to create momentum in the war.

Broderick thinks that Sheridan is a buccaneer and a war criminal who is politically protected by Sherman. To show his contempt for Sheridan, Broderick calls him captain instead of general.

Broderick assigned Sheridan to the task of clearing rebels from north of Marion. To his surprise, Sheridan succeeded, but then disappeared without word of Sheridan’s location or that of his army. After a month, Sheridan established a supply line to Marion from his new bases outside of Pilgerruh (present day Cleveland).

Broderick is angry as he never authorized Sheridan’s attack on Pilgerruh. Worse Sheridan had made himself a pocket in the middle of rebel territory. Broderick would rather Sheridan attack Port Clinton if he was going to be reckless. Broderick fears the separation of his forces puts his whole division at risk. He decides to go to Pilgerruh to dress down the insubordinate Sheridan and come back with Sheridan’s army before disaster strikes his division.