Micro Table Battles - Part Five.

(Apologies in advance, if some of the photographs are not too clear, not that mine ever are. But it is a dismal, dark and rainy day here today.)


A reminder of the table layout, this is the top of map 3 and bottom of map 4. The Hog River, bridge and outskirts of the town are now on the table.

The 41st & 54th New York are still carrying out their fighting withdrawal, so far they have managed to stay outside of musket range. They now have friends at their back, 153rd Pennsylvania and 'K' Battery, 1st Ohio. The Confederates have had to limber up their artillery to advance back into range, they are moving along the western escarpment. The 1st Maryland & 2nd Virginia cavalry, are dismounted and in the trees atop of the eastern escarpment. In pursuit of the withdrawing Union infantry is the 13th Alabama (west of the road) and the 7th Tennessee.

Initiative this turn goes to the Union.

Brigadier General Ames, was pleased to see other units of his brigade, formed up and ready for action on the south side of the bridge. The two forces were now much more balanced, but of course the rebels had the advantage of being on high ground on both flanks. It would be dark in two hours, he would like to stay on the south side of the bridge and ford if possible, but he knew that could be difficult. If his brigade was suffering, he would have to pull them back across the river as night fell.

The 41st New York withdrew through the ranks of the 54th New York, as the 153rd Pennsylvania moved up to form a line.

Brigadier General Archer knew he held all the aces, even with the fresh union troops that had been spotted. He held the high ground on both flanks and so could pour a murderous fire into the enemy. He ordered his two cavalry regiments to remain dismounted and act as infantry sharpshooters, pushing forward along the ridge that dominated the both the river and the town. The artillery was to unlimber and his infantry would continue to advance.

Rebel initiative this turn.

The 1st Maryland in position, open fire on the flank of the 54th New York.

Rebel infantry advance.

Now unlimbered and in position, Huger's Virginia Artillery battery open up on the 153rd Pennsylvania.

Devastating and sustained carbine fire rains down on the luckless 54th. Three hits and a retreat.

Now with a yellow disc, denoting four hits, the 54th fall back.

The artillery is just as effective on the other flank, scoring two hits on the 153rd.

The 153rd and 41st New York pull back as 'K' Battery belches fire at the advancing rebel infantry.

Two hits on the 13th Alabama.

Shot of the table at the end of the turn.

With darkness now tantalizingly close, Brigadier General Ames knows he cannot hold this exposed position until the coming nightfall, the fire from the enemy flanks would annihilate his brigade. The 54th are in a bad way, as well as a bad position, he must pull them back across the bridge first, followed by the artillery. He had to hope the other two infantry battalions could carry out an ordered withdrawal across the bridge afterwards. Even then he knew, with the enemy on elevated flanks overlooking the town, he would be forced to continue the withdrawal beyond the town, and in so doing, would leave both in the hands of the enemy. He hoped reinforcements were on the way down the valley.