Friday evening found five of us gathering for another Volley & Bayonet game, this time set in the American Civil War, during 1864. Robin, Barrie and Andrew commanding the Union forces, while the Rebels were commanded by Alastair and myself.
In April Lee struck northwest in another action he hoped would cause some concern to the Union army reminiscent of his campaigns of 1862 and 1863, despite his now much weaker army. Pleased he had side stepped a significant proportion of the Union army he bought a portion of General Meades army to battle in the late afternoon of the 13th of April and prepared to attack the Union forces from the west.
Lee had at his immediate disposal four infantry divisions. Three were drawn from Ewell’s Corps, these being Early’s, Johnson’s & Rhode’s Divisions. These were dispersed on the left and centre, with Rhode’s Division separated from the others by the meandering Dole Run, a stream that generally ran southeast. A fourth division stationed on the right was McLaw’s Division from Longstreet’s Corps. In support was Hampton’s cavalry division, of two brigades. Finally closing up on these divisions was Field’s Division, also from Longstreet’s Corps. However their arrival would be delayed some two hours. In all General Lee had some 26,500 infantry, 2,500 cavalry and 84 cannon.
General Meade meanwhile, had gathered eight divisions. Four divisions were from Hancook’s II Corps and a further four divisions from Warren’s V Corps. Despite having more divisions the Union divisions were much smaller than the Confederate counterparts, with many comprising just two brigades. In all Meade had 27,000 infantry and 132 cannon.
General Lee, suspecting the Union forces opposite were not fully concentrated order a general advance by his centre and right about 3pm on the afternoon. Lee fully expected he would be able to reinforce his centre by a movement from his left. Further, he hoped the Union centre would likely be particularly disrupted by crossing the Dole Run. However, it was Lee’s right flank that would quickly find itself in trouble.
Here, McLaw’s Division pressed forward into the a large wood near the Glenn farm wood. The division initially made good progress against advanced Union troops. However Union resolve stiffened and Henagan’s and Wofford’s Brigades were forced back. Worse, Humphrey’s Brigade was in trouble as two divisions of Warren’s Corps arrived on Humphrey’s flank in a turning movement more reminiscent of the Jackson’s attack at Chancellorsville!
How Confederate scouts had missed this movement is not known but at 4pm the Union divisions of Crawford and Wordsworth came on with terrible force. A series of delaying actions now took place as Humphrey’s brigade, supported by artillery fell back and formed a a fragile new line facing south. Lee, was worried, failure here would result in a complete collapse of his line.
Lee had at his immediate disposal four infantry divisions. Three were drawn from Ewell’s Corps, these being Early’s, Johnson’s & Rhode’s Divisions. These were dispersed on the left and centre, with Rhode’s Division separated from the others by the meandering Dole Run, a stream that generally ran southeast. A fourth division stationed on the right was McLaw’s Division from Longstreet’s Corps. In support was Hampton’s cavalry division, of two brigades. Finally closing up on these divisions was Field’s Division, also from Longstreet’s Corps. However their arrival would be delayed some two hours. In all General Lee had some 26,500 infantry, 2,500 cavalry and 84 cannon.
General Meade meanwhile, had gathered eight divisions. Four divisions were from Hancook’s II Corps and a further four divisions from Warren’s V Corps. Despite having more divisions the Union divisions were much smaller than the Confederate counterparts, with many comprising just two brigades. In all Meade had 27,000 infantry and 132 cannon.
General Lee, suspecting the Union forces opposite were not fully concentrated order a general advance by his centre and right about 3pm on the afternoon. Lee fully expected he would be able to reinforce his centre by a movement from his left. Further, he hoped the Union centre would likely be particularly disrupted by crossing the Dole Run. However, it was Lee’s right flank that would quickly find itself in trouble.
Here, McLaw’s Division pressed forward into the a large wood near the Glenn farm wood. The division initially made good progress against advanced Union troops. However Union resolve stiffened and Henagan’s and Wofford’s Brigades were forced back. Worse, Humphrey’s Brigade was in trouble as two divisions of Warren’s Corps arrived on Humphrey’s flank in a turning movement more reminiscent of the Jackson’s attack at Chancellorsville!
How Confederate scouts had missed this movement is not known but at 4pm the Union divisions of Crawford and Wordsworth came on with terrible force. A series of delaying actions now took place as Humphrey’s brigade, supported by artillery fell back and formed a a fragile new line facing south. Lee, was worried, failure here would result in a complete collapse of his line.
Meanwhile in the centre Early’s and Johnson’s were hotly engaged. While some brigades pressed the Union forces into the Glenn wood the majority threatened the Union divisions of Barlow and Gibbon’s opposite. The Union divisions however were determined. Each Rebel attack was followed by a Union countercharge. It was bloody fighting for both armies.
The situation on the Rebel left was in complete contrast. Opposite Rhode’s Division, which was supported by Hampton’s cavalry division, Birney and Mott’s Divisions formed. Their text book positions only interrupted by occasional fire from Confederate guns, some 10pdr Parrot rifled guns from Hardaway’s artillery battalion. However, around 3pm Hampton’s cavalry sallied forward eventually deploying near Gordons Town. Here they dismounted and around 4.30pm both brigades went into action. Rossier’s Brigade dispatching a Union Brigade that had crossed the Dole Run, while Young’s Brigade a Union counterattack by a brigade from Griffin’s Division.
Meanwhile, back on the Confederate right McLaw’s hard pressed division was finally receiving support. By 5pm Field’s Division deployed from line of march and was sent to bolster the right. Delayed by the thick undergrowth it was nearer 6pm when the brigades were finally engaged. However, their arrival stabilised the Confederate right, halting any further Union attacks.
Yet it was in the centre that Lee’s attack was finally successful. Finally, soon after 7pm the Union centre finally broke. Heavily engaged for five hours both Gibbon’s and Barlow’s Divisions collapsed. With Birney’s Division also exhausted a massive hole was torn in the Union line. Meade, was forced to retire. Lee had secured a victory, but the cost was horrific.
Despite the slaughter a fine evening was had by all. The scenario was of developed with the Road to Glory scenario system. The miniatures are all from Heroics & Ros and are from my own collection.
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