ACW Peninsular Campaign - Part Ten

0830 1st June 1862, Crow River Bridge.


Union and Confederate batteries engage in counter-battery fire.

'E' Battery 1st New York are temporarily silenced after a hit.

First Brigade under the watchful eyes of Brigadier Taylor and General Slocum, advance down the East Road, 1st, 2nd and 3rd New Jersey in column, with 4th New Jersey at the Murray Farm. 1st New York Cavalry on the flank.

Powder smoke obscuring the view from the Confederate rear area.

In the marshy ground to the east of the bridge, skirmishers from both sides open fire.

Union Skirmishers approach the bridge into the face of 12th Mississippi.

12th Mississippi send them a welcoming present!

Looking west along the river.

The Union skirmishers are pushed back from the bridge.

It is Carter's Battery that is temporarily put out of action by union guns this time.

3rd Brigade wheel and prepare to deploy.

1st Brigade continue their advance.

Overall view of the bridge area.

Colonel George Anderson, OC Anderson's Brigade arrives and discusses the the situation with Brigadier Robert Rodes.

Colonel Anderson rode up to find Brigadier Rodes

'I can't tell you how pleased I am to see you George.' Brigadier Rodes shouted above the noise as 4th Virginia Battery fired another salvo.

'Sir I have two regiments on the road directly behind me, the remainder of my brigade is waiting on the Stockton Road.' He raised his binoculars and scanned the enemy troops all across his front. 'I have orders to reinforce you with two regiments and to move on west, but it seems you may need my whole brigade sir.'

'I reckon I just might George, there are just too many of them for my boys, even with the two regiments you mentioned. If the enemy breaks through here, they can move south to Clanfield or east through Stockton right down to Port St. Charles and Hampstead, with nothing in the way to stop them.'

Colonel Anderson nodded, Sam's brigade with Dan Hill should be close to Appleton now, he may need to rethink his plans and head for Witton on the East Road if the enemy breaks through here. But that doesn't leave much to face the second enemy column if, as indicated, it begins to advance down the West Road tomorrow morning.'

Robert fought to control his mount as another salvo hurtled away across the river, 'This is the immediate problem George, we have to hold here or I am afraid the whole peninsular will be lost.'

George saluted, 'I will bring up the rest of my brigade sir.' 



The artillery duel continues, though lessened somewhat as both sides are trying to redeploy damaged equipment.

3rd Brigade now mask their artillery as they form up to close the river and engage the enemy.

A ringside seat for Wise's Legion Cavalry.

1st Brigade move up behind their exhausted skirmishers in preparation to assault the bridge.

12th Mississippi can see only too clearly what is in store.

Bob Rodes gives instructions to the newly arrived 27th Georgia.

4th Virginia and Carter's Batteries continue to engage.

5th Alabama watch grimly as Union 3rd Brigade form up ahead of them.

Skirmishers move aside to let 1st Brigade through.

The skirmish battle in the marsh continues.

The advance of Union 1st Brigade seen from 27th Georgia.

Union 3rd Brigade almost in position, the whole of the division will attack, the sheer weight of numbers will, they hope, force the rebels to give way.

Scene at 0915 1st June 1862.