This is what he has to face the Union troops. You will remember that the 7th Tennessee battalion was left behind at Parksville to guard the Union prisoners and bury the dead. All his units are at full strength, he has three infantry battalions, two cavalry regiments and one artillery battery.
He would be facing double the infantry battalions he currently commands, granted some of the Union reserves are depleted. The two forces are equal in artillery and his cavalry outnumber the Union by two to one.
Even with depleted reserves of infantry, the Union line looks formidable. As the aggressor, the rebels are obliged to attack. Brigadier Joe Davis with his brigade of four battalions of infantry and an artillery battery, are en route north to join Archer's Brigade, but are still some hours away and would likely only arrive as dusk fell. Probably too late to take part in any fighting.
The question is, what would you do?
I know many of you are following this blog, from all the likes and comments you have made, so I am opening it up to you for your suggestions. as to what Brigadier General James Archer CS Army should do. Feel free not only to to recommend a decision, but give me a battle plan too if you wish. How would you deploy? etc.
You can see more of this potential battlefield on my previous post.
Attack. One cavalry regiment to pin their opposites and the other to out flank the Union line.
ReplyDeleteThanks Andy, sounds like a plan, I was eyeing those woods atop the escarpment, the Union have placed a battalion close to it, but not in it. Dismounted cavalry in there, could cause some misery, much as they did at Hog River.
ReplyDeleteAttacking now could let the yanks destroy the Confederates piecemeal. I'd hold them in place, even if Archer could break them, he doesn't have the force to follow up that success, it would be a hollow victory.
ReplyDeleteHi Will, and thanks for your suggestion, I must admit crossing all that open ground with just three battalions vs six prepared units, does not fill me with confidence. It would indeed be a hollow victory, even if Archer's brigade managed to even get close and still be in fighting shape.
DeleteGive 'em the the cold steel boys!
ReplyDeleteThanks William, I take that as a vote to give the rebel yell, and press forward now.
DeleteAttacking across the open ground would be a hard fight. Give the something to watch move the cavalry to the flanks. Pinkey the in that position.
ReplyDelete..pin them in position::
ReplyDeleteThanks Stephen, in the end I was more a Longstreet than a Lee. I waited for the second brigade to arrive.
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