Micro Table Battles - Part Six.

As we know it is getting late in the day, each side will activate twice more, the first activation will be dusk, the second twilight. After that it is simply to dark to conduct any kind of formation action. Skirmishing between small groups will probably continue for some time after, but that will not be played out on the tabletop.

Union activation.

54th New York make their way across the bridge.

'K' Battery is now feeling decidedly vulnerable, but fire a salvo at 7th Tennessee.

They score a single hit.

The rebels want to prevent any further Union troops from being able to escape across the bridge, so continue to move forward, even the cavalry troopers begin the descent of the slope.

The roar of cannon fire echoes in the dusk.

One hit and a fall back flag.

The 41st New York felt the brunt of the artillery fire.

Twilight and the final activation, once again the Union have the initiative.

The 54th New York move off through the town of Parksville. (They appear to have left their disc behind!)

General Ames orders his artillery to limber up and retreat across the bridge.

The 153rd Pennsylvania move off in column, heading for the road.

Both regiments of Confederate cavalry pour a murderous fire into defenseless artillerymen.

The 13th Alabama holds its ground, so as not to block line of sight for the artillery, as the 7th Tennessee advance.

Huger's battery fires on the 153rd.

A total of three artillery symbols is enough to totally destroy the enemy. The gunners flee, leaving the artillery pieces behind.

More carnage in the ranks of the 153rd Pennsylvania.

Night, and the cloak of darkness, may have just come quick enough for the Union soldiers.

We can see the final positions, but of course the officers and men are not so privileged. A number of running fights continue as the Union soldiers struggle to cross the river and escape north through the town and beyond.

The full table number 4.

My version of it. The town of Parksville beside the road. The ford, through which a number of Yankee soldiers escaped in the darkness, is now visible.

A good view of the town looking north.

Hard to imagine the death, carnage, horror and screams of dead and dying that had just occurred here.

Brigadier General Ames organised withdrawal across the river, had soon dissolved into an all out rout. The officers could not prevent the men fleeing, it was impossible to rally the now fragmented units as the men raced north in the dark. They just wanted to be far away from the enemy, whom they were convinced were galloping after them, and would appear out of the dark to cut them down.

Some walking wounded, stragglers and deserters will return to the rebel ranks, as they hold the field of battle. Each damaged unit will remove one casualty. The Union troops who fled in terror, will receive no such returnees, as they are deemed captured and are now prisoners. However, 54th New York who had crossed the bridge and moved off the northern edge of the table in good order, will receive back one pip of elan, moving from a yellow to a green disc.

Dawn, June 5th 1863. After the rout of the Union force, the tired rebel soldiers, were heartened by the arrival of the rest of the brigade. The 5th Alabama and the 1st Tennessee, with them came the brigades supply wagons. Tented camps were set up north and south of the Hog River, the artillery had moved to a position from where it commanded the town. Pickets were also  posted near the bridge and the north end of town. A troop of the 2nd Virginia Cavalry, had been sent to watch the southern approach.

There will not be any fighting on this table, but I laid it out for continuity of the series.

The next table, we have traveled almost half way along the valley. We can see the valley sides, an escarpment on the east side, a wood and the small hamlet of Anderson.

I will lay out the table tomorrow,  and of course roll for any reinforcements.