ACW Campaign - Part Thirteen.

0600 2nd June 1862, West Road junction with Stockton Road.

3rd Virginia Cavalry of the Flying Cavalry Brigade, head north to scout beyond Paytonville.

The all important road junction.

On the lower slope of Gordon's Bluff with an excellent view of the road are Rhett's and French's Batteries and dismounted troopers of Cobb's Legion Cavalry, all part of Anderson's Brigade.

Strung out across the Stockton Road are Stuart's Horse Battery flanked to their right by 6th Alabama and to their left by 12th Alabama. Dismounted troopers of 9th Virginia Cavalry cover the lower slope.

Not a very large force to defend this vital piece of real estate, and it will be race to see who arrives first, Union VI Corps or Garland's Brigade.

1100 2nd June 1862, Stockton Road one mile south of Crow Bridge.

Major General Daniel Hill had rode on ahead of Garland's Brigade, once it had passed through Clanfield. The brigade had been on the road since 0600 and was making good time. On arrival at Crow Bridge he had been briefed on the situation by Brigadiers Rodes and Anderson and having received no intelligence that the second Union column was as yet on the West Road, could see the perilous position his men faced at the bridge. He could see easily enough the overwhelming enemy force poised just across the river. It was a good defensive position but if the enemy made a determined attack, weight of numbers alone, would give them victory.

At about 1030 a messenger arrived from Stockton, 3rd Virginia Cavalry had spotted the leading units of the Union VI Corps, currently three miles north of Paytonville and heading south. So far the intelligence gathered by the numerous spies and sympathisers in and around the Union VI Corps, had proved to be correct. He had little doubt that General Franklin with a reinforced division was indeed heading for the West Road/Stockton Road junction. It would certainly reach there around noon. He and Sam Garland's Brigade could not reach that location until 1600 at the earliest, the small force in position at the junction would have to hold a vastly superior enemy for four hours.

It was a difficult situation, he would have liked to have sent Colonel Anderson with two of his infantry regiments to the junction, but if he weakened the defences, it would make it even easier for the enemy, who would be able to observe the troops leaving, to force the bridge. Even if his forces could halt Franklin at the junction, it would be of little avail if the enemy forced the bridge and appeared in his rear.

Daniel Hill was a worried man as he rejoined Garland's Brigade who were just now leaving the Clanfield Road and heading west for the junction...

Noon, 2nd June 1862, junction of West Road/Stockton Road.

2nd Division, Union VI Corps arrive at the junction.

Senior command move up to assess the situation whilst the column halts.

Senior commanders with cavalry escort.

Looking east along the Stockton Road.

Overall view of the Confederate positions, 3rd Virginia Cavalry, who had been scouting, now in position, dismounted on the lower slope of Choke Heights to the left.

The batteries and Cobb's Legion Cavalry look down upon the enemy.

The main Confederate defensive line.

Overall view of the battlefield.

Left to right, Union VI Corps commander Brigadier General William B. Franklin, 2nd Division commander Brigadier General William F. Smith and 1st Brigade, 2nd Division commander Brigadier General Winfield Hancock. 5th US Cavalry provide escort.

'Well Bill, what do you make of it?' General Franklin was speaking to 2nd Division commander Brigadier General Smith.

Bill lowered his binoculars before answering, 'I reckon we need to clear those rebel batteries off that bluff on what will be our right flank, they would cause carnage to any troops advancing down the road to face the main enemy defensive line. There appears to be a manageable route up the western slope for infantry to assault the guns. The same goes for those enemy troops on the high ground to our left flank.' He paused to inspect the ground on that flank. 'Once again there appears to be a practical route up the western slope.'

'My thoughts exactly,' replied General Hill. 'The high ground on both sides of the road, once captured, will give us a huge advantage, we would be able to pour down musketry on the enemy line, it might be impossible for artillery to depress their barrels enough on this left flank, but perfect over there on the right. If the enemy is forced to withdraw east along the road, they will be hit by artillery fire from both flanks.'

Bill Smith looked across to Brigadier Hancock, 'Your boys of 1st Brigade are at the head of the column Winfield, can you take on those guns?

Winfield smiled and nodded, 'It will be a pleasure sir, I can approach the path up the western slope by moving off the road and keeping out of artillery range until we make the attack.' He didn't need to mention the fact that the leading regiment would likely take horrendous casualties as they moved up the slope. All present knew that.

Bill Smith nodded, 'I will send word for 2nd Brigade to assault those troops on the left, on the lower slopes of Choke Heights.'

'Excellent gentlemen, when those objectives are achieved the rest of the division will advance along the road to engage the enemy. Once they are defeated we can proceed to assist 1st Division at Crow Bridge. Now gentlemen, to work.' General Franklin took and answered the salutes of his officers...



1st Brigade, 2nd Division led by 5th US Cavalry stay out of artillery range as they advance to their objective. 6th Maine, 43rd New York, 49th Pennsylvania and 5th Wisconsin as well as 'A' Battery 5th US Artillery follow.

1st Brigade, 2nd Division's objective in the distance as seen from the position of Brigadier Hancock.

2nd and 3rd Vermont along with 'G' Battery 4th US Artillery of 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division begin the climb up the lower reaches of Choke Heights.

The remainder of VI Corps are halted on the road, they will assault the main enemy defensive line.

Panoramic view of the whole area looking from the south.

A view of the Union deployment from the west.