Turn Sixteen
1:00 AM, September 6, Night (Visibility: 1 Hex)
Union:
Union Moves:
The Federals wisely moved up some artillery to the Toll Gate Bridge and unlimbered on good ground overlooking the western side of the river. Maj. Gen. Daniel Sickles has arrived with his final division under Brig. Gen. Andrew Humphreys at Urbana. In the north the II Corps, led by Maj. Gen. Winfield Hancock, has also began to arrive on the field. Skirmishing across the river at Worthington Ford has caused light casualties for both sides.
Commenting on the Hope Bridge area Mallory wrote to Brogden that, “I'd sure like to see you move some units up and engage with the Rebs at Hope Bridge where we can fire on them from three sides from forested hexes. By the second or third turn, you should be able to drive the Rebs away from there. The farther we can get them from the crossings, the better it will be when the sun comes up and you try to cross.” He also mentioned that he was moving up some horse artillery opposite the Toll Gate Bridge for supporting fire come dawn.
Confederate:
Confederate Moves:
At Worthington’s Ford the recently arrived brigade of Brig. Gen. William Pender, of Hill’s division, has moved into line to skirmish with the Federals of Ward’s brigade over the river. Elsewhere the Confederates simply continued to dig in and march to the front. They are now receiving their last infantry reinforcements for the next 12 hours.
End of Turn sixteen:
Total Strength:
USA: 21,999 (+3,340)
CSA: 41,538 (+2,384)
​
Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 395 (+26)
CSA: 491 (+23)
​
Artillery Losses:
USA: 0
CSA: 0
Right: The overhead map of the battlefield. The arrival of the II Corps from the east and the last division of III Corps from the southeast are now visible.
editor's note:
It was a good move by Mallory to start bringing up his artillery pieces. The early morning hours will be critical as both sides look to test each other at numerous crossings. At dawn the Confederates will have the advantage at Toll Gate Bridge as they will have more artillery and men already entrenched and ready to battle. But as the morning progresses the entire Union II Corps will be moving up the pike towards the bridge along with most of the Union Reserve Artillery. The higher wooded ground on the Union side overlooking open fields will eventually make the site very deadly for the Rebels to defend. I am not sure what will happen but it should be interesting!
Turn Seventeen
2:00 AM, September 6, Night (Visibility: 1 Hex)
Union:
Union Moves:
The Federals continued to skirmish both at Worthington’s Ford and Hope Bridge. The II Corps moved closer to the Toll Gate Bridge and their lead brigade is just a turn away from the bridge.
Confederate:
Confederate Moves:
The Rebel army continues to entrench and prepare for the coming of dawn. Heavier Federal losses were inflicted at Hope Bridge where numerous Yankee units were taken under fire as they moved up to the river's edge.
End of Turn seventeen:
Total Strength:
USA: 25,806 (+3,807)
CSA: 41,908 (+370)
​
Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 552 (+158)
CSA: 521 (+30)
​
Artillery Losses:
USA: 0
CSA: 0
Right: Overhead map of the battlefield.
editor's note:
At this point both sides are fairly anxious for dawn. As am I! Neither has slowed down much and as a result a number of units are over 100 fatigue points while some are up to 300+ fatigue points as a result of prolonged night movement. Swanson noticed while watching the enemy replays that their extensive length indicated they were not resting at all. He wrote to Hively that, “I am beginning to rest any of my units that are at 250 fatigue or higher as I expect we will be subject to a heavy barrage once the sun is fully up and there is long-range visibility.”
Turn Eighteen
3:00 AM, September 6, Night (Visibility: 1 Hex)
Union:
Union Moves:
Caldwell’s division of the II Corps is leading the way towards Toll Gate Bridge. The leading brigade of Cross’s is reaching the bridge area this turn followed by the Irish Brigade next turn. The cavalrymen of Farnsworth’s brigade are trying to dig in at the river’s edge before dawn.
At Monocacy Junction and Worthington’s Ford the division of Schenck is divided with two brigades at Worthington and one at Monocacy Junction. To the south the division of Birney is opposite Hope Bridge and is skirmishing more with the Confederates of Heth’s Division.
Confederate:
Confederate Moves:
The skirmishing at Hope Bridge ended with the rout of the 47th North Carolina and the 7th Georgia away from the bridge. Elsewhere all remained quiet as the Confederates continue to await dawn and dig in.
End of Turn eighteen:
Total Strength:
USA: 29,013 (+3,207)
CSA: 41,893 (-15)
​
Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 579 (+27)
CSA: 536 (+15)
​
Artillery Losses:
USA: 0
CSA: 0
Right: The overhead map of the battlefield.
editor's note:
The rout of the Confederates at Hope Bridge was unfortunate but likely the result of the games night rules enforcing a -2 morale modifier during morale checks at night. This makes night combat especially challenging to conduct over multiple turns.
Turn Nineteen
4:00 AM, September 6, Night (Visibility: 1 Hex)
Union:
“From watching the Rebel replay,” Mallory wrote, “it appears to me that they have no more than a brigade at each crossing, although my guess is they have reinforcements either already on the field or scheduled to arrive. It may be in our best interest to try to force our way across at sunrise, rather than later.” “I agree that we should have simultaneous strong attacks at sunrise," Brogden wrote back. "I intend to rest up the troops til then with a few shots at the yanks in my immediate contact zones. His troops will be rested and higher quality all in all. I'll have a division in reserve to exploit any 3rd Corps crossing. They will not hopefully be able to ascertain where our reinforcements are headed til later.” Mallory replied to Brogden that, “I won't have enough men in position to launch a full-blown attack at dawn, but I expect to begin an artillery bombardment in preparation for my attack shortly afterward. If you launch an attack first and I hold off for just it bit, the Rebs might think your attack is our main one and commit reserves in your direction. It could work in our favor.” The short but direct reply was, “I'll hit hard at dawn down south hoping they will send reinforcements there.” With that Brogden and Mallory were set for the final move before dawn.
Union Moves:
The Federals continued to move up to the crossing points under the cover of darkness one last time. The first brigade of Gibbon’s II Corps division began to arrive along the Baltimore Pike heading for Toll Gate Bridge.
Confederate:
Confederate Moves:
The Confederates were largely inactive this turn as they rested and awaited the dawn.
Swanson and Hively were just as anxious for daylight as the Federal commanders were. “I can hardly wait to start blasting away,” Swanson wrote.” “By sunrise most of my units [not those beaten up at Toll Gate] should be at low or zero fatigue but theirs will not as there's been a lot of movement during the night.”
End of Turn nineteen:
Total Strength:
USA: 31,086 (+2,073)
CSA: 41,890 (-3)
​
Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 599 (+20)
CSA: 539 (+3)
​
Artillery Losses:
USA: 0
CSA: 0
Right: The overhead map of the battlefield.
editor's note:
The two armies have made their final moves before dawn.
Who used the night more productively? It’s a tough call. The Federals were wise to battle it out at Toll Gate Bridge all night. Their position dominated the bridge and they inflicted heavy losses on Robertson’s men beneath them. To the south at Hope Bridge light skirmishing was enough to drive back two of Heth’s regiments from Hope Bridge. I do think that Mallory and Brogden erred by not keeping the Horse Artillery massed at a single point. The only way they are getting over the river, and they know this, is to blast their way across. They need to concentrate as many guns as possible to do this. Throughout the second day of battle the Federals will gain more men and guns but it would be more beneficial to have massed the Horse Artillery at dawn to start bombarding the Confederates near Toll Gate Bridge rather than dispersing the guns to numerous points. On the Confederate side they wisely spent the night entrenching and bringing up the reserves. To the south Hively is guarding just two crossings with a division at each crossing. But to the north Swanson is guarding five crossings with the same number of men in two divisions. Hively should have already taken over at Monocacy Junction and Swanson should have reconstituted Johnson’s Division to the north. (See Map Below - crossing locations are marked by yellow stars).
It will be impossible for the Federals to force their way across at Hope Bridge, Worthington’s Ford, or Monocacy Junction. That leaves only the northern crossings as possible points of penetration. With another full Union Corps coming in the morning (the I Corps near Urbana) there will be plenty of Union forces available to maneuver and attack where opportunities are found. A consistent rain will fall all day limiting vision and concealing the movements of both sides. This should play in the Union’s favor as they shuffle forces to where they think they have the best chances to succeed. Only time will tell.
Above: The complete 2D battlefield map at 4 AM just before dawn.
Turn Twenty
5:00 AM, September 6, Dawn (Visibility: 4 Hexes)
Union:
Union Moves:
Dawn! The Federals immediately opened fire at Toll Gate Bridge where Union guns took out 50 enemy soldiers entrenching two hexes away from the bridge. At Hughes Ford, Worthington, and Hope Bridge units opened fire with lesser results. Still, with the enemy positions and defenses now in full view things will quickly begin to escalate. The infantry of the II Corps is massing opposite Toll Gate Bridge in anticipation of a forced crossing.
Mallory wrote to Brogden that, “The Rebs are dug in pretty well at all the crossings. If we perceive any weak points I suggest we attempt to apply pressure, but for the most part I think patience is called for. We have the artillery advantage. Let's use that and wear them down. I’ve identified good locations along the ridge overlooking Toll Gate Bridge for the artillery that will be showing up in a couple of hours. Caldwell's division is moving to fortify those positions. Gibbons' division will turn off the road to the north, hidden from enemy view, and rest. Once I launch my attack at this ford, I'll be able to do it with two divisions.”
Confederate:
Confederate Moves:
The Confederates unloaded with everything they had at the Federals near any crossing points. Hays’ Louisiana Brigade was moved up to support the Texans of Robertson’s Brigade near Toll Gate Bridge. Behind Hays’ Brigade the remainder of Early’s Division is in support to oppose any Federal attack at Hughes Ford or Toll Gate Bridge.
End of Turn twenty:
Total Strength:
USA: 34,337 (+3,251)
CSA: 41,998 (+108)
​
Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 858 (+259)
CSA: 706 (+167)
​
Artillery Losses:
USA: 0
CSA: 0
Right: Dawn arrives on the battlefield and firing ensues along the river.
editor's note:
This was a painful turn to watch. The Confederates made two errors when placing their forces and the Federals were given two golden opportunities but missed on both counts. At Hughes Ford the 262 men of the 1st Louisiana stood alone in their trenches blocking the ford. Behind them was the rest of their brigade a few hexes back and unable to support them with any combat fire. The only thing that stood between the Federals and crossing the river was that lone Louisiana unit. The Federals could not have known its full weakness of course but it was shame they did not have infantry nearby to make a mad dash for the crossing. Custer’s cavalrymen alone stood observing the crossing at dawn. Had an infantry brigade been detached from the II Corps they might have charged the outnumbered Rebels, driven them back easily, and created havoc at Hughes Ford. They would have occupied the trenches and made themselves an absolute nightmare to dislodge.
To the south at Monocacy Junction the Confederates made another error by leaving just one lone battery opposite a crossing point directly in front of numerous Federal regiments. My only guess as to why an attack was not launched was that the Federal commanders did not understand that attacking through abatis, when situated along a road, does not cause immediate disruption. It would have been an easy overrun of the Confederate guns and they would have gained a position in the Confederates trenches without much fight.
In both of these instances though the resulting counterattack would possibly have pushed them out within a turn. Nonetheless the psychological effect of them would have been more important as the Confederates have few reserves and have committed nearly all their forces to the fords already. To shift troops back and forth to threatened sectors would require picking and choosing which ford to weaken. It would have caused some Rebel panic, even if only temporary, I believe.
For the Confederates they got a little lucky that the Federals were not 100% prepared to take advantage of those two small errors in positioning. The two errors were quickly fixed during the Confederate portion of the turn and the Louisianans were reinforced and the artillery battery supported by infantry. All along the lines the Confederates are now as prepared as they can be for the Federal maneuvers to come.
Swanson wrote to Hively that, “Fortunately for us there seems to be no concentration at any one point and they seem content to spread themselves out from north to south. Also, I'm fairly sure it is Mallory in the north and Brogden in the south.” I always find it interesting when a player knows his opponent well enough to pick out their tendencies and actions like that.