ACW Campaign - Part Eighteen.

To the right of the rebel line, 2nd Florida are forced back, but not before scoring two hits on 7th Maine. 6th Alabama also score two hits on 77th New York whilst escaping unscathed.

In counter battery fire, Stuart's Horse battery cause a third and fatal hit on 3rd New York Battery.

On the hill both sides take losses, the Confederates cannot afford too many with no reserves. 5th Maine and 16th New York suffer two and one hits respectively, whilst dishing out two to 5th North Carolina and one to 23rd North Carolina.

1st US Cavalry, already dismounted move onto the flank of Stuart's Battery. This move is countered by the dismounted Hampton's Legion Cavalry who move onto the flank of the former.

'G' Battery 4th US Artillery rush forward to take the place of the destroyed 3rd New York Battery.

View looking west.

Looking east.

Union VI Corps commander General Hill with 2nd Division commander General Smith look on.

A brief lull in the fighting on the road as the Confederate defensive line falls back out of musket range. Displaced 12th Alabama are ordered to pass through the farm and assist the left flank on the hill.

The rebels also pull back on the hill and a lull in the firing ensues.

This gives Brigadier Bartlett of Union 2nd Brigade, 1st Division the opportunity to swap out the mauled 5th Maine and 16th New York, being replaced by the fresh 77th New York and 96th Pennsylvania.

The fresh artillery of 'G' Battery 4th US Artillery unlimber on the road.

The view of Hampton's Legion Cavalry.

12th Alabama moving through the farm to assist the left flank.

View from the bottom of the hill on the Confederate left flank (Union right).

Looking east along the Stockton Road.

Major General Dan Hill  rode over to speak with Brigadier Sam Garland, 'We can only keep on doing this Sam', he quickly raised his binoculars to scan the enemy ranks ahead on the road. He scowled as he saw the fresh enemy battery unlimbering. 'We have to let them come on, engage and then fall back, it is the only way we have any chance of keeping the brigade in fighting shape. It is still a good four hours before darkness can come to our aid.'

Sam nodded, 'The boys are doing well, but we just don't have enough of them to hold off a reinforced division.' He glanced back along road to the east, 'The job is not going to get any easier as we pull back General, our right flank is protected by the steep hill, but our left will be wide open.'

'We can only do our best Sam, I will send a messenger to Crow Bridge to explain the situation here and advise them to start to withdraw from their position and fall back through Stockton or Clanfield. It will have to be carefully done, or we will not have an escape route if the enemy pour over the bridge and reach the crossroads before we do.'

Sam saluted and rode off to speak to the regimental commanders, he wasn't sure if his boys could keep this up until the sun went down, Crow Bridge crossroads was still eight miles away.