ACW Peninsular Campaign - Part Twelve.

Union VI Corps commander, Brigadier William B. Franklin had read the report from 1st Division commander Brigadier General Henry W. Slocum currently at the Crow River. He had agreed that it would be too costly to continue the attack and that by drawing around half a dozen infantry regiments, artillery and cavalry to the east. it was doing exactly the job for which it was intended.

2nd Division should not have much to face from the enemy over here on the west side of the peninsular. If he made good time, he could be at Paytonville late morning, turn east on the Stockton road and be in a position to strike the enemy at Crow Bridge in the rear by early evening, or first thing on the morning of the 3rd.

After that, the complete capture of the peninsular should be achieved quickly. He was satisfied and retired for the night, hoping to manage at least four hours sleep, though he doubted he would be that lucky.



1000 2nd June 1862, West Road about two miles north of Paytonville. 2nd Division of VI Corps on the march.

5th US Cavalry scouting ahead of Brigadier Winfield Hancock's 1st Brigade.

6th Maine, 43rd New York, 49th Pennsylvania & 5th Wisconsin make up the infantry of 1st Brigade.

2nd Brigade under Brigadier W.T. Brooks with 2nd, 3rd, 4th. 5th & 6th Vermont are next in line.

Supply wagons, 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry and 'A' Battery 5th US Artillery and 'G' Battery 4th US Artillery towards the rear in this view, with the lead element 7th Maine of 3rd Brigade just coming into view.

Brigadier Winfield Hancock leads his brigade.

Divisional commander Brigadier General William F. Smith can be seen ahead of Brigadier Brooks and his brigade.

8th Pennsylvania Cavalry, nearest the camera, following the infantry brigades.

Two batteries of artillery.

The Corps is making good time.

The next area of conflict will be the West Road/Stockton Road junction. It is about two miles from the coast.

The junction on the table, I may just have to move it a few inches to the right.

The Stockton Road wends it way between foothills of Choke Heights to the north and Gordon's Mount to the south.

A small farm along the road.

Ditkus House.

This should make for an interesting battleground, how does the small rebel force deploy? and is there enough room for the Union to make their superior numbers count?

All will be revealed in the next episode.