Part Thirteen: Finale
The Second Confederate Collapse
The situation was dire for the Rebel commander. The center had completely collapsed around him. A gap of 500 yards now existed in the center of the Confederate army with no reserves available to plug the gap. The only option was to shift men from the left and right, further extending an already stretched line, unlimber the guns which had been fleeing towards Grand Junction, and hope the line would hold.
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The Federals continued to apply pressure all along the Confederate front which prevented the Rebels from sending more assistance to the center. Only Jackson's Cavalry Brigade had arrived from Saulsbury to defend the depot of the infantry collapsed around them. Beauregard hoped it would not happen, but his men were exhausted and the line was thinning. Only his artillerymen remained steadfast and their salvos were doing great damage to the Federals - but would it ever stop them?
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The attack continued towards Grand Junction. Thousands of Federals were now funneling directly for Grand Junction in a blue wave which seemed unstoppable. Parts of Cleburne's and Little's divisions held makeshift lines in order to delay the attackers and allow Beauregard more time to cobble a new line together around Grand Junction. The Federal infantrymen poured a heavy fire into these Confederate stalwarts and pushed right up against them.
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After a full day of fighting the Confederates were no longer able to hold their lines against such odds. The line broke! Despite the Federals not launching a single bayonet charge, thirteen Confederate regiments, including six from the makeshift line Beauregard had just thrown together, tumbled rearwards. Only the 2nd Arkansas of Liddell's Brigade managed to hold on out in front of the final Confederate line trying to reform in the trees north of Grand Junction.
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The Confederate Center Breaks Again
The Final Hurrah
With the oncoming Federals closing in on them, the Confederates poured all the shots and shells they could into the Union ranks. Great holes were torn through the Federals from the line of artillery in the trees north of Grand Junction. Confederate infantry units, exhausted, disrupted, and weakened, rallied around the guns and supported them as best they could.
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The Federals were caught in the open fields north of Grand Junction and were suffering severely from enemy fire. Hundreds fell in these fields and still the Rebels clung to their tree line. With mounting losses and the men worn down by constant attacking - they could go no further.
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Grant watched helplessly as his attack melted away in the center. Fourteen regiments routed rearwards and disrupted the entire Union effort which had fought to within less than a half-mile of the depot. They could get no closer.
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Looking around him he had to admit the day had gone against him. With over 35% of his army listed as casualties, he would have to fall back to Memphis and regroup. The Federals begrudgingly disengaged and began the long march back to Memphis.
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