ACW Peninsular Campaign Part Eight.

Location of all forces at 1600 31st May 1862.

Northern end of the map.

Southern end of the map.

'Gentlemen, it seems the enemy is about to make his attack.' Brigadier General Robert E. Rodes said to his regimental commanders who had gathered around him. 'They appear to be committing a single brigade, maybe just to test our firepower and probe for any weak spots before making an all out assault with all of their forces. We are in a strong defensive position, the enemy must take the bridge if they wish to penetrate further into the peninsular. I would be happier if the rest of the brigade were here alongside us, but even without them, we can deny the enemy that bridge.'

The officers nodded in agreement.

'I doubt we can expect any reinforcements as General Hill believes an even larger enemy force is poised to strike down the West Road. He will have to meet that threat with the remainder of the division. We will do our job gentlemen and hold this area.'

The rumble of artillery from across the river brought the meeting to an end...



The artillery batteries open a long range duel.

Skirmishers hide and fire from the marshy ground to the east of the bridge.

Smoke obscures part of the battlefield.

Union skirmishers stay just out of musket range, creeping forward to take a pot shot before pulling back again. 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry look on.

Looking east toward the bridge along the rebel defensive line.

Confederate skirmishers in the marshy ground watch the advance of the enemy infantry.

General Slocum observes the action from the bluff.

Looking north across the bridge to the Murray Farm.

Brigadier John Newton leads his three infantry regiments to the action.

Looking west beyond the east road and the Murray Farm.

High level view of the contested bridge area.

Major Alan Davies marveled at the skill of the captain and crew of the cutter 'Speedy,' After a fast passage from Wickham to Easington, the whole eight mile voyage taking under an hour, the cutter certainly lived up to its name. It had glided to a stop barely nudging the jetty. Now he was sat on a fine horse with which to continue his journey to Major General Hill's headquarters some 24 miles distant at Hampstead.
The telegraph office at Easington was even at that moment transmitting to its counterpart in Hampstead informing them of the Major's arrival and of the dispatches he carried.




2130 31st May 1862, Divisional HQ, Hampstead.

Major General Dan Hill was sat in a meeting with Brigadier Sam Garland, his regimental commanders and the newly arrived Major Alan Davies. A number of telegraph messages lay on the desk before him.

'It has been a busy day gentlemen, and tomorrow will be even busier.' Dan Hill picked up one of the messages, 'The enemy division on the East Road, or rather one brigade of it, advanced to Crow Bridge late this afternoon. The enemy moved up skirmishers and a battery of artillery, both of which have been making a nuisance of themselves. Counter battery fire has been ongoing spasmodically during the late afternoon and early evening. 
Brigadier Rodes believes the enemy is just feeling out his position and were never intent on a full scale assault, though they did bring up three full regiments of infantry and some cavalry to support their forward troops. Once the light began to fade the enemy pulled back most of his troops but has left behind a large number of pickets, as well as the battery of guns.'

He reached down for a second message. 'This from 6th Alabama who are still holding the Choke Heights. It seems a resident of this very town managed to scale the northern side of the heights, not only that, he did it with three mules. So much for our belief that it was an impossible climb. He did pass on information that the enemy has a large tented camp set up at the north end of the West Road and all entry into the peninsular is forbidden.'

He replaced the message back on the table and looked at the assembled officers and gestured towards the visitor. 'This is Major Davies who has just arrived via the Arrowhead Express, he is confirming what our mountaineering mule driver reported.'

Some grins around the table.

'Major please inform my officers of the latest information you have brought from the mainland.'

The major nodded. 'We have many voluntary spies as you would expect in Virginia, no one is too happy to see the northern invaders. The Army of the Potomac has struck out south west and is being watched and tracked by our forces. The exact destination of the enemy, is as yet, unknown, but our forces are moving to intercept.'

The major took a sip of coffee before continuing. 'Union VI Corps under the command of Brigadier General William Franklin has been tasked with taking this peninsular. Currently 1st Division commanded by Brigadier General Henry Slocum, minus 2nd Brigade, is the enemy force at Crow Bridge.'

'This is very detailed information major,' said Sam Garland raising his eyebrows.

Major Davies nodded and smiled, 'The enemy have loose lips and we have many ears prepared to listen sir.'

'He has more in store yet Sam,' he nodded for the major to continue.

'The 2nd Division with attached 2nd Brigade will begin to move down the West Road at 0600 on the 2nd June, they intend to sweep south with the goal of taking Hampstead and Port St Charles. They believe most, if not all, your forces will be over on the East Road engaged with their 1st Division. I have provided General Hill with an accurate, or as near accurate as is possible, of all the enemy units involved.'

Dan picked up the sheet of paper, turning it to face his gathered officers. 'It is a very impressive if somewhat depressing list. We guessed correctly what they were up to Sam, now we have the make up of their force, commanders and even the start time. We also have a little over 30 hours to meet that threat.'

The telegraph office at the HQ would be very busy that night, very busy indeed...





Confederate positions at 0600 1st June 1862.

6th Alabama to evacuate Choke Heights during darkness and join the Flying Cavalry Brigade on the West Road, both to proceed south to the Paytonville/Stockton Road junction.

12th Alabama to move north from Meon to the Paytonville/Stockton Road junction.

Carter's Battery to move from Stockton to Crow Bridge and rejoin Rodes Brigade.

Anderson's Brigade to head north from Clanfield to the Paytonville/Stockton Road, assess the situation at Crow Bridge, leaving reinforcements if necessary, but then moving on west to the road junction and joining with forces already in situ.

Garland's Brigade with General Hill attached to move through Appleton, Haven and then to Clanfield.

The whole of Hill's Division will be on the march.