Part Five: Charge!
Tilghman's Attack
With the sun rising higher over the battlefield the visibility on the field of battle improved markedly. The Federal forces could be soon moving larger numbers of men south on Hickory Pike than they had been the previous evening. To Beauregard this indicated the main Federal assault was heading directly down the pike towards Grand Junction. Beauregard sent the following message to his commanders at 6 AM:
It is clear they are putting infantry from all four wings into the fight for Grand Junction. We see the two wings directly in Price's front, strong elements of another on Price's left flank filtering down the Middle Road, along with some units now engaged with General Breckinridge's command, and I believe that is the better part of a fourth wing streaming down the Hickory Pike. All four wings are heading for the fight at Grand Junction! The main fight is there and they are putting most of their eggs in that basket!
Beauregard then met with Van Dorn whose division under Tilghman was ready to launch their flanking attack on the Federal left flank near North Hill. Beauregard told him that, “The Yanks have turned several regiments to the northeast to protect their left flank from our flanking attack, inconvenient for sure. This will make Tilghman’s attack harder but not unadvisable. Attack at once. Make a racket and do some damage on them!”
As Van Dorn walked away to begin the attack he was pulled aside by Price for a moment, “One thing, notice the Yanks left flank. It makes a big hook which tells me there are no Yanks north of Tilghman's boys. If there were then he wouldn't need the hook.” Van Dorn agreed with this assessment and would be on the lookout for a way to get around this flank. The attack would begin at once.
The attack of Tilghman’s Division came pounding out of the woods at 6 AM. Nearly 5,000 Confederates in two brigades advanced in a line stretching a half-mile north to south towards the Union left flank. The 59th Indiana was facing away from the attack and towards North Hill and was caught from behind by the concentrated fire of numerous Confederate regiments. They lost 62 of 458 men in just a few minutes. The 5th Iowa and 26th Missouri were lucky enough to have turned to face the onslaught just in time. The Rebel yells climaxed as they charged forward to attack the Union flank. But Grant’s veterans were wholly unimpressed and not a man ran and not a unit faltered. The fight was on.
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The attack by Tilghman's Division against the Union flank is launched.
Union Response
Grant called a hasty meeting with his generals and admitted he had been negligent in regard to the security of his left flank. Luckily the Federals had stood up to the attack and were holding. Grant suggested that he wanted Stanley to look to his left while Sherman edged to his own left to help Stanley close his ranks and turn to meet the attack. Ord’s arriving brigades would keep moving up the Hickory Pike to come in on Sherman’s right flank to resume the push towards Grand Junction. They would not be deviated from their objective of Grand Junction.
McPherson was the first to speak up in response to this. “I strongly advise against shifting Sherman too far east and would instead continue in our push forward with myself and Sherman with Ord moving up in support. The Rebels are trying, yet again, to slow our advance. Shifting forces east in support of Stanley is, I suggest, exactly what he expects us to do! General Stanley should, I propose, hold his position and best deal with the enemy as he sees fit. As the remainder of Ord's Corps comes down the pike, they can be used to either reinforce our forward movements or relieve the pressure General Stanley may come under in the coming hours.”
McArthur also counseled patience and favored sticking to the original plan by “continuing to push in the center.” He argued that “our best results have come in front of Sherman’s men. I see no reason to let up now.” McArthur felt that Stanley could hold his own on the left by continuing to refuse his left flank.
Ord chimed in that he also believed the best opportunity for success remained along the Hickory Pike. With Sherman’s and McPherson’s wings already there, and his own on the way, they might be able to overwhelm the Confederate defenders and push south.
McPherson spoke up again to raise a cautionary note about the gap leading to the left and rear of Stanley’s Wing. “If the Rebels manage to come through that gap and establish themselves on that high ground, we are screwed I believe. He won't even have to attack I would suggest, he'll just sit there, defending and bombarding us, tying up, in all likelihood, Stanley's & Ord's men in the process.”
Stanley then stated his view of the situation. “This is not the time to retreat. From my perspective - things are not that bad. I believe the Rebels are weak in the center and I should advance as much artillery as I can and as many men as I can towards them. On my left I will solidify a bit and see what if they keep coming at me. The consideration of moving some of Ord's troops toward my left would be appreciated.”
After hearing his generals out, Grant began issuing his orders for the morning. McArthur would continue along the LaGrange Road to secure the right flank of McPherson’s advance and provide support. McPherson would continue to hold at the intersection with a division while the other division advanced on the left and supported the right flank of Sherman’s Wing. Sherman would continue his advance south on Hickory Pike. Stanley would support Sherman’s other flank while also trying to prevent a collapse of the Union left in front of the unexpected Confederate attack striking them from that direction. Ord’s Wing would send the crack Iowa Brigade to support Stanley’s left flank. Veatch’s brigade of Ord’s Wing would continue to hold and occupy the enemy at the Spring Creek ford. The rest of his wing would continue on the Hickory Pike to eventually reinforce Sherman’s attack on Grand Junction.
Before the generals parted, McPherson spoke up one last time on the issue of their left flank beyond Stanley’s position. “That gap which I incessantly keep banging on about needs to be covered. If the Rebs come through it in force, or worse, Forrest comes charging through we are in trouble. I will be very surprised if they do not utilize it for the rapid maneuver and employment of their cavalry and artillery.” Grant heard him out and stated that he felt the Iowans being sent by Ord would be sufficient to hold the flank.
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With that the generals parted to return to their commands. The day promised to be a bloody one as the sound of gunfire reached new crescendos all along the lines.
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Charge!:
Commentary
The Federals were exceedingly fortunate that Stanley had refused his flank just before the Confederate attack struck them. Had this not happened it seems likely that the Confederates would have rolled up the entire Union flank. As it is now, the Federals have stood up the attackers and will look to hold their ground.
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