The following is a report of our recent refight of the Battle of Cedar Mountain, fought to mark the 160th anniversary of the historical battle.
On the morning of 9th August 1862 Jackson's army, comprising some 24,000 men, crossed the Rapidan River into Culpeper County. Jackson's forces were marching north astride a single road. In front was Ewell's division and following was Winder's division. To the rear was A.P Hill's large division and finally two brigades escorting the supply train. Deploying this army would however take time. Ahead was the Union II Corps under General Banks. Initially fielding some 8,000 bayonets and 1,000 cavalry Banks was outnumbered, though well supported by artillery.
Just before noon, Early's brigade, the vanguard of Ewell's division, came upon Federal cavalry. By 2pm the Union cavalry had fallen back and Ewell prepared to advance having deployed his division.
Ewell moved north forming on the high ground in the centre providing something of a screen against aggressive Union cavalry on the Union right. As Ewell deployed Winder pressed forward beginning to deploy around 2.30pm.
Below, a view from the Confederate lines with Winder deployed on the left and Ewell to the right. The north fork of Cedar Run is the distance. A portion of the south fork is visible to the right.
Around 3pm, as Jackson supervised the deployment of Winder's three brigades, General Ewell was ordered to realign his own three brigades to the north east. By 3.30pm they were some 400 yards from the ridge that Banks was keen to secure. Soon after 3.30pm Banks' five infantry brigades began to deploy on the ridge supported by some nine artillery batteries. From this position the Union artillery was well able to bring Ewell's division under heavy fire.
Above a view of the high ground controlled by Union forces, Ewell’s division is in the foreground.
As the Union infantry and artillery deployed on the high ground Bayard's cavalry, now dismounted, threatening Winder's left, as can be seen below. When dismounted the cavalry are deployed as a linear infantry stand.
While a portion of Winder's division was delayed dealing with the now dismounted Union cavalry one brigade moved north forming on Ewell's left.
However, no sooner had they come up two of Ewell's brigades pressed forward with determination. These brigades, supported by artillery, struck the Union left with a focus on the brigades of Prince and Greene. Ewell hoped that an aggressive move now would secure the initiative and frustrate Union plans and unhinge the Union position. Alas, the attack was a failure and both Trimble's and Forno's brigade were forced back.
Above, two Confederate brigades have been thrown back and are marked with yellow disorder markers. That on the left is Forno's Louisiana brigade and that on the right is Trimble's brigade. Below, another view of the situation.
By 4pm A.P. Hill's division was coming up and by 4.30pm the first of six brigades were deploying. Admittedly it would take some time for the division to fully deploy but even the first brigades provided much needed reinforcement.
Yet even as Hill's division was deploying the Union artillery was plying its trade with effect. Indeed, so accurate was the fire that Ewell was forced to fall back progressively or risk unsustainable casualties on his already weakened division.
Above and below, the situation from the Confederate and Union perspective.
By 5pm Jackson's attack against the Union left had clearly stalled and with A.P. Hill was still not fully up. To gain time Jackson realigned his centre. First, several Confederate batteries were massed around the road some 600 yards from the Union centre and began to engage Williams' 1st Union Division. Simultaneously, two brigades formed on the Confederate left in preparation to attack. In due course the Stonewall Brigade and Branch's brigade would advance with great élan against Crawford's brigade.
Interestingly Samuel Crawford started the war as a surgeon at Fort Sumter, but having transferred to the infantry was today commanding a brigade that comprised four regiments drawn from four different states. Despite a determined defence Crawford brigade was driven back and as such potentially exposed the right flank of the Union position on the high ground.
Below, the Branch realigns his brigade and by 6.30pm was pouring fire onto the Union infantry line while Confederate cannon continue their bombardment.
Yet the Union line was far from compromised. By 5.30pm General Pope had arrived and with him elements of Rickett's strong Union division. In all some 9,000 bayonets and 24 cannon were moving with haste forward. By 7pm advanced elements had deploying across Cedar Run.
Jackson was frustrated, the momentum of his attack was slowing and casualties continued to grow. For two hours Jackson had hoped his artillery would achieve a breakthrough but by 8pm, and with darkness approaching, he reluctantly accepted the Union position could not be broken.
General Banks had held, and General Pope could claim a victory.
This refight was actually one of two fought in one evening, with each lasting around two hours. Interestingly, both games played very differently suggesting that there is some re-playability within the scenario.
The miniatures are from Heroics & Ros excellent 6mm range, and are from my own collection. Each infantry base typically represents 1,500 to 2,500 men depending on the historical strength of a particular brigade. The table measures just 3' x 2' as we use half scale, where a massed infantry base measures 1.5' square and 1" represents 200 yards.
Comments
Post a Comment