The 1st Maryland and 2nd Virginia Cavalry advance at the gallop, the former dismounting and moving into the woods, the latter taking up position in the cover of the trees.
On the right flank (eastern escarpment) General Archer and 5th Alabama advance.
Huger's and the Louisiana infantry batteries engage in long range counter battery fire.
At long range each battery rolls half dice, but Huger's scores a hit.
A blue disc for 'G' Battery US Artillery.
From the opposite flank Brigadier General Ames could see the rebel cavalry galloping along the escarpment towards the woods. He was not going to let them damn rebels do what they did at the Hog River again. He sent a hurried note by courier, warning the 41st New York that the enemy had entered the woods in front of them. They were to enter the wood, clear it of the enemy and hold it.
5th Michigan Cavalry were ordered forward, to face the oncoming rebel battalion. They would dismount and act as pickets to weaken and disorder the enemy.
At half strength and firing at long range, the artillery roll roll only a single die against the rebel artillery.
The Donaldsville Louisiana Artillery being the target.
Without success.
Situation after the first turn.
5th Alabama watch the approach of enemy cavalry.
11th & 42nd Mississippi hold their positions. The Union generals had no idea these two units formed part of Joe Davis' 4th Brigade, they were seeing what they expected to see, the original rebel brigade!
The 1st Maryland troopers move through the trees, seen from the position of 2nd Virginia Cavalry.
41st New York move toward the wood.
Union troops feeling reasonably confident at the moment. No massed ranks of the enemy ahead.
General Ames, in among soldiers of the 107th Ohio and 153rd Pennsylvania is also confident that everything is in hand, the enemy artillery is a concern, but other than that, he was satisfied.
Union win the initiative.
5th Michigan advance and dismount.
41st New York reach the treeline.
More counter battery fire.
But again unsuccessful.
The 5th Michigan in position to open up with carbine fire when the enemy is in range.
Troopers of 1st Maryland (minus Hal), wait silently and pick targets among the advancing 41st New York.
5th Alabama move into small arms range.
Once more both rebel batteries concentrate on their sole and weakened opposite number.
With more than enough success.
'G' Battery is no more!
Union initiative.
41st New York advance into the wood.
5th Michigan engage 5th Alabama with carbine fire.
One hit is registered.
A blue disc for the Alabamians.
But now they get the chance to return fire.
1st Maryland troopers engage the 41st New York with carbines.
Both Confederate batteries now turn their attention to the massed ranks of the enemy infantry.
2nd Virginia, no longer in danger of fouling the firing arc of their artillery advance.
Joe Davis orders the 11th 42nd Mississippi to advance.
The Alabamians score two hits on the troopers of 5th Michigan. (I have just noticed the flag, they should also have fallen back one movement.)
Long range artillery fire scores two hits and a fall back.
Troopers of 1st Maryland score two hits and a fall back on the 41st New York.
The shocked 41st New York are pushed out of the wood.
The scene at the end of this turn.
James Archer is more than satisfied at the moment.
As is Joe Davis.
The 41st New York face enemy cavalry ahead and now dangerously close to their flank
Things are not going well for the Union, but even so they still have the advantage of numbers.
Or so they think, the deception plan of the rebels is about to be sprung, it is so cunning, it should have a fox tail attached to it.
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