The following is an account of our refight of the Battle Gaines’ Mill fought a few days prior to the 160th anniversary of the historical battle. The scenario we used is that from the Volley & Bayonet scenario book “A Storm in the Valley - 1862” by Jessee Scarborough.
Around 12.30pm General Ambrose Powell Hill passed the residence of Dr Gaines, set slightly east of the rising ground just west of Powhite Creek. This creek meandered from the north, near Gaines’ Mill, itself near the Telegraph Road, south until it passed Gaines’ residence near River Road. Finally, having crossed River Road, Powhite Creek flows into the swampy Chickahominy River. Now, Hill spurred his horse to the front of the column, battle was imminent. His six brigades would soon be in action.
Below, a general view with the Chickahominy clearly visible on the right and A. P Hill advancing east along River Road to the Union positions on Turkey Hill on the top right. North is to the left of the photo.
By 2,30pm the advanced elements were deployed around Powhite Creek in preparation to cross. Before them was Boatswain’s Creek and it’s marshy banks bordered the western and northern boundaries of Turkey Hill, which now bristled with the men of Porter’s Union V Corps.
An hours march behind A.P. Hill’s Division was James Longstreet and his own division, a further six brigades of infantry and supporting artillery. Interestingly Lee’s orders had required Hill to advance along Telegraph Road, but for some unknown reason Hill switched to the River Road. Longstreet, wishing to avoid a repeat of the confusion at Seven Pines, now determined to move via the Telegraph Road which would see his division deploy north of Boatswain Creek. Longstreet would form the Confederate centre.
Opposite, Fitz John Porter was equally busy. His corps had fought well the previous day at Mechanicsville and comprised three divisions. These divisions were those under Morrell, Skyes and McCall. In all some nine brigades, reinforced by artillery and cavalry. Porter was most concerned by an attack from the north. As such he placed two divisions, those of Morrell and McCall here. Sykes’ Division, the weakest, was held in reserve. Porter reasoned the division could reinforce those in the north or redeploy to the west should the Rebels advance astride the River Road. Soon, aware of A.P. Hill’s advance along the River Road, Sykes was moved to block this advance by forming along the western edge of Turkey Hill, near Watt House.
By 2pm Lee was informed that General Daniel Harvey Hill’s division had reached the Cold Harbor crossroads an hour prior and now General Ewell and his division was advancing along another road which also converged on Old Cold Harbor. By 3pm riders advised Winder’s Division was also approaching Old Cold Harbor. Jackson was on form after his poor performance at Mechanicsville, but time was required to form the divisions for battle.
Above, the situation around 2.30pm as the divisions of D. H. Hill and Ewell’s begin to deploy around the crossroads of Old Cold Harbor. Many brigades are still strung out in road column.
Meanwhile, Porter’s request for reinforcement had also been heeded. Soon after 2.30pm Slocum’s Division was advancing rapidly in support while Richardson’s Division and Smith’s Divisions were also expected in the coming hours. Porter’s confidence that that he could hold the position grew. Now while he held the position at Gaines Mill, General McClellan would surely drive on Richmond from his position south of the Chickahominy.
Around 3pm the engagement had begun around the River Road as A. P. Hill exchanged fire with elements of Sykes Union Division supported by several batteries of 12pdr Napoleons from the army reserve. Hill, heavily outgunned, demonstrated while eventually pushing two concentrated artillery batteries to a position generally opposite the Watt house. From here the batteries of Crenshaw and Johnson, slammed shot, shell and ball at Chapman’s Union brigade deployed across Boatswain’s Creek. Chapman’s brigade would suffer under this bombardment for several hours before being forced out of line.
Above, A.P. Hill’s division begins to press the Union position. On the left Longstreet’s division advances along Telegraph Road, though still in road column. Below, an hour later A. P. Hill’s brigades are fully across and progressively demonstrating against Syke’s position.
Below, a view from the Union lines with Union reinforcements arriving. The main river is the Chickahominy and has an area of marshy banks that extends each side of the river.
Despite the opening of battle around River Road Jackson knew he needed to press the enemy opposite Old Cold Harbor. To this end a determined attack was launched around 4pm by two brigades, one drawn from of D. H. Hill’s Division the other from Ewell’s Division. The attack was against the extreme Union right slightly north of the McGehee house and just west of Elder’s Creek. While some Confederate brigades moved to supporting positions the brigades of George B. Anderson and Taylor, commanded by Issac Seymour swept forward.
Above, the view from the Confederate lines, while below viewed from Union lines. The Union defenders here are in hasty works created by rails from fences, logs and even knapsacks.
Holding the line was Daniel Butterfield’s brigade, comprising regiments from New York, Pennsylvania and Michigan. They poured a withering fire on the attacking Confederates. Adding to the defence were two rifled artillery batteries. Rebel casualties were appalling. Taylor’s brigade, all Louisiana men, suffered heavy casualties with Seymour killed. However, Anderson’s brigade was torn apart. Some 2,000 North Carolinians advanced across the field. In less than 30 minutes the brigade was spent and Anderson badly wounded. The casualties were unprecedented.
The attack however had larger repercussions. Jackson, aware of Union forces advancing to the east of Elder Creek and cognisant of Union resolve now bought up various artillery batteries drawn from three of his divisions. Eventually some 18 guns bombard the Union right which comprised Butterfield’s brigade and additional Union artillery.
Meanwhile James Longstreet had deployed his division to the right of Jackson’s divisions. While some elements would deploy to bombard another section of Morrell’s Division three of Longstreet’s brigades advanced into a gap in the Union position. The brigades of Kemper, Pickett and Richard Anderson made initial progress, but their advance slowed when Union reserves plugged the gap. The woods, Boatswain’s Creek, and Yankee resolve now combined to slow Longstreet’s advance to a crawl.
Below, three brigades of Longstreet’s division move forward, before the gap in the Union line is plugged. The artillery are yet to deploy.
Everywhere Confederate attacks faltered and hope of progress seemed to be slipping away. Lee, could see the momentum of his attack dissipating.
Below, a general view of the battle. On the extreme left fighting has erupted in the woods east of Elder’s Creek. Moving to the right Jackson’s divisions are held by Morell, while in centre Longstreet’s brigades are held by Union brigades hastily deployed. Finally, on the right part of A. P. Hill’s division is visible engaged against the western end of Turkey Hill.
However, around 6.30pm Union regiments around River Road began to falter. Casualties on Sykes’ Division had been accumulating for several hours but had now reached crippling levels, Sykes’ Division had collapsed. News of this development was soon communicated to Lee who swiftly ordered Jackson to press Morell again.
Some three hours after the failed attack on Morrell’s Division the grey and butternut brigades of the Confederate left moved forward. As the Confederate batteries of the left retired the Stonewall Brigade supported by the brigades of Jones and Rodes surged forward. Even one of Longstreet’s brigades added to the fury as Pryor’s brigade poured musket fire into the Union positions. Below, the attack on Morrell’s Division.
Butterfield’s brigade, having thrown back the earlier attack now broke and were followed in quick succession by Martindale’s brigade. After several hours of determined defence Morrell’s division collapsed.
As the Rebels surged over the hasty works Union reserves prepared to form a new line. In a vane attempt to recover the initiative Philip Cooke ordered his cavalry to advance. While most cavalry commanders accepted that the rifled musket had ended the days of mounted attack Cooke disagreed. Indeed, being a proponent of the mounted cavalry attack he determined to put his theory to the test. A full brigade of Union cavalry surged forward determined to drive back the Stonewall Brigade. Alas, Cooke was proven wrong and his cavalry was sent reeling back from their attack.
Simultaneously A. P. Hill renewed a limited attack along the River Road aiming to dislodge the disorganised brigades of Sykes.
By 8pm it was clear that Union position around Turkey Hill had collapsed, as night drew the fighting to an end Porter began his retreat. Lee had won a significant victory but Confederate casualties greatly outnumbered Union. It had been a costly battle, and while Lee was acutely aware of his losses the Union divisions north of the Chickahominy were in full retreat.
So ended our refight of Gaines’ Mill, a fine game on all counts. Both sides received reinforcements but each struggled to deploy them in a timely manner. With a strong Union position and time disappearing Confederate hopes of victory seemed impossible. However, growing casualties and a final push in the last hours of daylight secured a Confederate victory, even if the butcher’s bill was terribly high.
Miniatures are from Heroics & Ros 6mm range and are from my own collection. They are based at half scale where 1” represents 200 yards. The table measures just 4’ x 3’.
Comments
Post a Comment