Micro Table Battles - Part Seven.

An insight on how I create each table, the base cushion.

Eastern valley side and slope.

Western escarpment.

Valley side.

Cigar Box Battle Mat, and you are looking at the east escarpment and valley side.

West valley side.

The whole table.

Finally, the road, small wood and the hamlet of Anderson.

Looking north toward Anderson.

Nice rolling countryside.

Looking from the east valley slope.

Now for this turns reinforcements. The Union rolled an even, and will immediately gain one infantry battalion and one cavalry regiment.

The Confederates hit the jackpot, an even six, produced four infantry battalions and an artillery battery. They will start at the southern end of the valley. I put that about an eight to ten hour march away.

Brigadier James Archer, sipped on a fresh cup of coffee, real coffee, not the chicory substitute they had been forced to suffer for months. The Union had also kindly provided his breakfast of eggs, bacon and fresh bread. His men had not even needed to draw any of the provisions in their own baggage train, and nothing they carried tasted anything like as good as what they had acquired from the enemy.

The rest of his brigade had also arrived late last night, and they brought word that Brigadier General Joe Davis and his 4th Brigade, would be entering the southern end of the valley this morning. James could wait for Joe, he would be here by nightfall, but after the uncontrolled flight of the enemy last night, he felt he needed to keep the pressure on the enemy. He had allowed his tired men a good nights rest, well beyond dawn, they had earned it, as well as a leisurely breakfast provided by the US Army Quartermaster.

He had captured over 300 of the enemy, a battery of artillery, ammunition and muskets, not to mention a supply convoy full of foodstuffs. His losses had been remarkably light, the enemy had suffered many more. The 7th Tennessee had suffered the most, but even their casualties had not diminished their fighting abilities greatly. He would leave that battalion here to guard the prisoners, who would be set to work burying the dead of both sides. He had also left a dispatch with their commander Lieutenant-Colonel Shepard, to be given to Joe when he arrived later today.

He drained the last of his coffee cup and stood up, the men should have eaten now, and begun to dismantle the camp ready for moving. He still had both regiments of cavalry, Huger's artillery and three full strength battalions of infantry. They should be enough to face anything the Union had managed to throw together, from the debacle of last night and any reinforcements coming down the valley. If not, then he only had to hold, knowing Joe's Brigade would be just a few hours behind.



For Brigadier General Adelbert Ames, the morning brought little comfort, his officers had finally gotten the brigade in to some sort of order just before dawn. Fortunately the weather had been kind to them, it had been a mild, dry night, just as well, as most of the men had no tents or even blankets. They were only eating breakfast because units of First Brigade had arrived from their base at Garton, just as dawn broke. They had been alerted by his telegraphists from his office in Parksville,who had continued to transmit updates, until finally destroying the communications equipment as the town fell. The 5th Michigan Cavalry and the 107th Ohio infantry battalion, bolstered his forces, Though they too were tired, having marched through the night, his own brigade was in poor shape, his artillery was lost, and his three brigades of infantry were badly mauled, only the 41st New York were anywhere close to being battle ready.

Colonel Meyer of the 107th, had reported that the rest of First Brigade would be marching south down the valley this morning. Adelbert hoped he met them before the Confederates caught up. He would send the 5th Michigan south of their current location, the small hamlet of Anderson, to watch for any approach by the rebels. Their commander would be instructed to avoid combat, he was just to shadow and keep him informed of the enemies movements. He would place the 107th Ohio as a rearguard behind his own brigade as they continued to march north, in the hope of meeting Brigadier General von Gilse and the remainder of First Brigade. Only then, could he hope to turn and face the enemy with any chance of success.





Major Harry Gilmor and his 1st Maryland Cavalry had been given the job of scouting ahead for the brigade.

From:  Major H. Gilmor 1st Maryland Cavalry

To: Brigadier General J. Archer (Commanding General Third Brigade, Heth's Division).

June 5th 1863, south of Anderson, Crooked Valley.

Sir,

We arrived at out current location just south of the small hamlet of Anderson, at 1015 hours.

We detected horsemen in and around Anderson, and soon identified them as Union cavalry. They are the first enemy troops we have come across since leaving Parksville two hours ago.

The Union troopers showed no sign of hostile intent, seemingly content to watch our progress, they would continually drop back as we approached.

They made no attempt to defend the village and moved off northward.

It is my belief that this is a covering force for the retreating Union brigade, and that the main force is likely to be no more than a few miles ahead.

I will continue to press forward at a good trot, in the hope of catching up with the rear of the Union column. This will force the enemy into some sort of action against my command. 
I can however, inform you that the road as far north as Anderson is clear of the enemy.

Major H. Gilmor.