ACW Peninsular Campaign - Part Seven.

After a nine month hiatus, the campaign is back. The initial action will be centred on Crow Bridge, defended by part of Rodes Brigade.

Looking north along the East Road. Crow Bridge with the marshy bank areas to its east.

The Crow River flowing down from Choke Heights through a valley it has carved out over many centuries.

Looking west to Choke Heights.

The Crow River Valley can clearly be seen in this view.

The Murray Farmstead.

Looking east from the slopes of Choke Heights.

Major Gustas thought it was a mistake when first informed that a man with three mules was climbing the north side of Choke Heights. But sure enough for the last three hours the little convoy had passed backward and forward, left and right on the steep slope before them. They would disappear behind scrub, rocks or bushes, only to re appear a little higher each time. Now the elderly man and his mules were approaching the summit.
The man came to a halt when he saw the bemused soldiers ahead of him.

The major stepped forward holding out an outstretched hand, 'I am Major Gustas of the 6th Alabama Regiment, may I ask who you are sir?'

The old man shook the proffered hand.  'I am Caleb McGuire of Hampstead, and I am having one hell of a job getting home with supplies for my store. Damn Yankees everywhere.'

The major nodded, 'Well you have managed to climb up the north face of the heights, a feat we were informed was impossible, not only that but you did it with three mules in tow as well.'

Caleb rubbed his gray beard, 'I have climbed it a few times in years gone by, when I was carrying a cargo that I didn't want the government houses on the East or West Roads to go poking about in.
He smiled, Moonshine was a good seller back then.'

The old man was provided with a cup of coffee and happily explained that the Yankees had sealed off both roads into the peninsular and that a large camp with hundreds of tents had been set up by the West Road. He had decided to climb the old pathway that he reckoned no more than three or four men alive today knew about. They wouldn't stop him getting home.

Caleb and his mules were given an escort down to the West Road, as a messenger with this newly gathered information headed for the telegraph hut in Paytonville.



Part of Brigadier General Robert E. Rodes Brigade, tasked with defending Crow Bridge, see the first sign of the enemy on a bluff overlooking the East Road.

Confederate skirmishers are deployed in the marshy ground to the east of the bridge.

The whole defensive force ready to deploy. 12th Mississippi, 5th Alabama, 4th Virginia Artillery and Wise's Legion Cavalry.

Union cavalry patrols search in vain for a way across the river.

The area in which the action will take place.

Brigadier General Henry W. Slocum along with 3rd Brigade commander Brigadier John Newton receive a report from the Colonel C. Edman commanding the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Once First Division had passed through Bourne, General Slocum had ordered the division to fall out at 1300, the men had been up since before dawn and had marched without a break for seven hours covering some 15 miles. A hot cup of coffee and some food as well as a short rest would be appreciated by all.
He along with Brigadier Newton had ridden forward the three miles to Crow Bridge to find the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry who were scouting ahead, he found them a short distance from the bridge.

'Sir I have patrols moving west along the river, but I doubt they will find a ford or any sort of crossing point as the river is fast flowing and at the bottom of a steep sided valley.' Colonel Edman continued, 'The enemy has two regiments of infantry, one of cavalry and one battery of artillery with which to defend the bridge, he has also thrown out a skirmisher screen in the marshy area to the east of the bridge.'

'Thank you Colonel, much as the map told us, the bridge is the only way for an army to cross that river.' General Slocum raised a pair of binoculars to scan the area. 'What do you make of it John?'

The commander of 3rd Brigade was also glassing the whole area before them. 'It's going to be a tough nut to crack Henry, even with our superior numbers a tiny force could hold us up indefinitely at that bridge and cause us severe casualties in the process'

Henry Slocum lowered his glasses, 'Our arrival may cause more of the enemy to arrive, which of course is worse for us, but fulfills the objective of drawing the enemy away from Second Division. I am in no rush to attack, but we do need to put on a show for the rebels, get them worried and calling for reinforcements.'

'What do you suggest?' John asked.

Henry had once more raised his binoculars, 'There is still a lot of daylight left this afternoon and evening, plenty of time for us to form up and carry out an assault. That is what I want the enemy to think we are about to do. I want you to bring up skirmishers and artillery from your brigade, they will advance toward the bridge and occupy that farm beside the road. The rest of the regiments will form up close to this very spot.'

'I can have them here within two hours Henry. What of 1st Brigade, do you want them up here too?'

Henry wiped one of the eyepieces of his binoculars with a handkerchief. 'No John, they can advance and make camp one mile to the rear of this position, your brigade will perform for the rebs today and this evening. Your boys can make a lot of noise and the artillery can fire a round or two through the night to keep Johnny awake. 1st Brigade can rest until tomorrow. By that time I hope to have drawn more of the enemy to this location and then I shall use the 1st in a feint against the bridge whilst your brigade pulls back early tomorrow.'

John smiled, ' No rest for Johnny.'



1530 hours, Union skirmishers, infantry and artillery move up.

Left to right, 31st New York, 32nd New York and 95th Pennsylvania infantry.

'A' Battery, 1st Massachusetts Artillery and skirmishers approach the river.

Confederate troops take up their positions to defend the bridge.

View looking north east from Wise's Legion Cavalry.

A good shot showing all the forces currently deployed.

To be continued...