ACW Campaign - Part Twenty Four.

General Henry Slocum rode to the head of the halted column and is seen in conversation with OC 1st Brigade, 1st Division Brigadier Taylor.

Having quickly assessed the situation they send a messenger to request VI Corps commander General William Franklin join them.

'I want this affair over with gentleman.' William Hill said as he once more scanned the arsenal through his binoculars. 
'We will bring all four of our batteries into action on this north eastern wall. If possible, I want those building setting on fire, it will prevent the enemy manning them. It will also cause a lot of shrapnel for the defenders on the wall to deal with. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division will form up behind the guns in readiness for an assault on the wall. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division with 3rd New Jersey will advance along the road and seek an option to attack the north west wall, it will also serve as a distraction and force the enemy to keep that wall manned. The remainder of the Corps will form up behind 2nd Brigade and the artillery. I intend this to be the focus of our attack. The cavalry can probe around the other walls, also keeping the defenders in place.'

The four remaining batteries lined up from left to right as we look. 'E' Battery, 1st New York, 'F' Battery, 5th US Artillery, 'A' Battery, 1st Massachusetts Battery and 'A' Battery, 5th US Artillery. Behind them left to right, 5th Maine, 16th New York, 27th New York and 96th Pennsylvania of 2nd Brigade, 1st Division.

3rd Brigade, 1st Divison advance down the road, Brigadier Newton leading 18th New York, 31st New York, 32nd New York, 95th Pennsylvania and finally 3rd New Jersey. The remainder of the corps can be seen advancing through the trees.

The remaining combat effective regiment of  1st Brigade, 1st Division namely 4th New Jersey followed by 1st Brigade, 2nd Division with 43rd New York, 49th Pennsylvania and 5th Wisconsin. Behind them 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division 49th New York, 77th New York and finally 33rd New York.

A rebel view of the Union attack force.

Protecting the flanks and probing for any weakness will be 1st New York Cavalry, 1st US Cavalry, 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry, 5th US Cavalry and finally 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry.

The Battle of Hampstead Arsenal gets underway with a huge barrage from the Union gun line, with just the 4th Virginia Battery replying.

This could be painful for the defenders of the arsenal.

1400 hours, and the peace is shattered.