Turn Fifty-six
5:00 PM, September 6, Light Rain (Visibility: 15 Hexes)
Union:
Union Movements:
The Federals have opted to keep fighting it out with the I Corps west of the river. Heavy fire combat all along the lines between Anderson and the I Corps units has continued. At Monocacy Junction the III Corps units have nearly all moved into line and are engaging the Confederates in their trenches across the river.
Both commanders seem determined to fight it out with the I Corps rather than try to fall back to safety east of the river. Brogden wrote he was, “getting some flank shots in and slowly moving more men across Crums Ford.” Mallory encouraged him to keep up the fighting which was wearing down the enemy army. He also told him to “keep up the pressure up at Monocacy Junction, too.”
Confederate:
Editor’s Note:
As mentioned before I felt the momentum had shifted and the battle had swung back in favor of the Confederates. With 2,500 Federals in very serious danger of being captured and the I Corps grip west of the river threatened it seemed all to be moving in the favor of the Rebels. But lady luck is no lady and the Rebels experienced a massive rout this turn. Thirteen regiments have routed including ten from the area around Crums Ford. This has left the majority of forces there weakened or disrupted. Once again, the momentum has changed. While it might not be favoring one side or the other, at the moment, it is back in neutral.
Confederate Movements:
Anderson’s Division had some unfortunate routs this time. Most of the division was disrupted as a result and the momentum of the Confederate counterattack against the I Corps has stalled. Enough units remained though to keep the pressure on the Federals and to launch two melee attacks attempting to close the door at Crums Ford permanently. While the main melee failed the other succeeded in pushing the Federals back an additional hex towards their crossing point. If the Confederates can keep pushing they may retake the ford and isolate any Federals left west of the river there. Anderson’s men though are dangerously low on ammunition as they wait for their supply wagon to arrive.
At Monocacy Junction the fire combat between the Confederates of Hood’s detached brigades, now reinforced by Posey’s Brigade from Anderson, and the Federals of the III Corps has continued. Routs caused a few holes in the Rebel line which were quickly filled by Posey’s men who arrived just in time. Nonetheless the situation here is also growing more serious as the lack of ammunition in this sector is also severe. More wagons will arrive at nightfall but until then it is a battle to hold out until then.
The sudden swing of momentum, again, has discouraged the Rebels some. Hively wrote, “Anderson's division is almost burned out. Many units are disrupted, low on low ammo, or routed. Need to regroup. I’m rushing infantry ammo to the area but it will be three turns at least before it gets to resupply range. The Yanks have massed an intimidating force at the Monocacy Junction crossings. I dare not send anything more to Crums Ford. At Worthington Ford, my defense is dependent on artillery, and with our ammo situation I am becoming concerned.” Swanson though was not disheartened by the large number of routs this turn. He replied that, “You shouldn't need any more at reinforcements at Crums Ford. Your force there is mostly in good shape (the Florida Brigade and Mahone's Brigade are still quite fresh). Don't forget ‘those people’ are badly weakened in that area and every unit of theirs I can see on our side of the river is disrupted! The ones we can't see will probably be disrupted, or routed, and all of them will be at medium or heavy fatigue. I feared an advance upon my left at Toll Gate when I saw their units moving in that direction but they are digging in so it still looks like he will give my men some more time to recover.”
End of Turn fifty-six:
Total Strength:
USA: 44,838 (-447)
CSA: 35,161 (-473)
​
Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 14,370 (+447)
CSA: 15,659 (+473)
​
Artillery Losses:
USA: 14
CSA: 33
Right: The battle continues at many places.
This battle continues to swing back and forth each turn. The Yankees are playing a dangerous game west of the river with the I Corps and so far they have dodged a disaster. Their recent large isolation of units caused minimal loss (all things considered) and they regrouped nicely. But they remain pinned against the river with almost no room for maneuver or error. Should the Rebels regroup and push again there is reason to believe they will be able to isolate more Federals units and possible capture thousands of soldiers west of the river.
Both sides are now critically low on both artillery ammo and small arms ammo. Both have more wagons on the way or scattered on the map but artillery ammunition is another matter. As the game’s designer there is two ways to look at this. One, I failed to give the two sides enough ammunition. Or, two, they have used it up too quickly. I think the truth lies in the middle. I will take part of the blame. I gave the Federals a total of roughly 2,900 shells and the Rebels about 1,700. Over two days of battle with would mean about 60 shells fired per hour of daylight for the Rebs and about 112 for the Federals (very rough estimates). Neither side fired much artillery on day one leaving full stocks at the start of day two. Both sides have blasted away all day though and quickly depleted their stocks.
The Federals, I believe, have been much better served by doing so. Their use of artillery at Toll Gate Bridge was textbook and they could not have gained the ground they did without it. The I Corps at Crums Ford does not enjoy any artillery support from their side of the river because of the poor terrain and they are struggling to hold their ground because of it. The Federals probably should have limited their expenditure in some instances (firing at enemy supply wagons for instance or long-range harassing shots seem frivolous now) but they tried to make their shots count all day. For the Rebels, to be honest, I am not sure how they used up all their ammo. I simply haven’t noticed that it did them much good. They did contest the Union crossing at Toll Gate Bridge and have dueled with the enemy at Monocacy Junction, Worthington’s Ford, and Hope Bridge. But from my position above I can’t really say the battle would have gone much different had the guns been limbered up and silent all day. That’s not to say it was misused but rather they have lacked good targets in the open to really rake the enemy and cause massive damage in key situations. While holding Worthington’s Ford (as Hively mentions above) with mainly artillery has allowed the Rebels to concentrate more infantry elsewhere, the Federals were never a real threat at that ford to begin with. Infantry alone could have held it given their advantage in terrain and defenses.
Nonetheless, both sides are now down to their last couple hundred shells and losing more each turn. Day three will be an infantry fight. For the Federals it is critical they maintain the II Corps west of the river as they will not be able to blast their way across a second time.
editor's note:
Turn Fifty-seven
5:20 PM, September 6, Light Rain (Visibility: 15 Hexes)
Union:
Union Movements:
This turn was a quiet one for the Federals and involved only fire combat around Crums Ford. A number of routs near the ford has disrupted a large part of the I Corps units positioned there. At Monocacy Junction the III Corps has advanced to add increased pressure to the Rebels there. An opportunity now exists to rush across as the Rebels have been greatly weakened over the past hours and could be driven out of their trenches with a determined assault.
The big development though is at Crums Ford where the Federals have, again, left themselves vulnerable to being isolated by an enemy attack during the next turn. The 17th U.S. stands alone with 360 men in a key hex which, if captured, will isolate 3,500 Federals on the right flank of the I Corps.
Confederate:
Confederate Moves:
The Confederates were very aggressive this turn in attacking Crums Ford once more. Heavy fire combat all along the lines sought to cause maximum disruption and routs to the Federals clinging to the ground west of the river. Col. Hannibal Day, commanding the U.S. Regulars, was wounded in the fighting here. At Monocacy Junction the reformed Rebels have taken back up their positions blocking the crossing points while still trying to keep a continuous fire on the Yankees despite their ammunition problems. At Hope Bridge the three remaining brigades of Heth’s Division still there (Pettigrew, Davis, Anderson) have fallen back from the bridge and their combat with the Excelsior Brigade opposite it. With little to gain in the firefight they have reentered their trenches to protect the crossing.
The climatic moment of the turn came when three of Mahone’s Virginia regiments assaulted the 17th U.S. guarding the center of the Union I Corps line and preventing the isolation of a large part of it. The U.S. Regulars held on and have prevented the isolation of the right flank of Reynolds I Corps. But another melee succeeded in driving the Federals all the way back to within a single hex of the ford. The Confederates are now within a hex of retaking the ford and trapping 5,000 Federals west of the river. But the Federals are now using the trenches the Confederates built against them and will be hard to move from their last line of defense.
Hively wrote to Swanson that they were, “very fortunate in the rallies this turn. Almost all of the units in the Crums Ford area are reorganized.” Swanson agreed and praised their use of commanders for the quick recovery.
Swanson also began to take a long look at the ever-increasing losses for the Army of Northern Virginia. “Our losses are almost equal but we aimed to be ahead at this stage. (That's my fault for continuing to try and dig trenches under fire at Toll Gate. I have had practically no experience with trenches but I've learnt my lesson now.) We have a maximum casualty cap of 21,000. I'm guessing theirs is 30,000 or even 35,000.” Swanson is unaware of the Federal strengths in this double-blind game and has overestimated them. In reality the Federal casualty limit is 26,950.
End of Turn fifty-seven:
Total Strength:
USA: 44,347 (-491)
CSA: 34,705 (-456)
​
Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 14,861 (+491)
CSA: 16,115 (+456)
​
Artillery Losses:
USA: 14
CSA: 33
Right: The fighting goes on at Crums Ford as the Federals have managed to avoid being isolated again this turn
editor's note:
Wow… the Yanks barely held on at Crums Ford this time. It has become an all-out brawl around Crums Ford with both sides desperately trying to keep their men on the firing line. Because of the Confederate melee victory this turn they have blocked the Federals from bringing more men across the river in any timely fashion. The Federals need to drive the Rebels back away from the ford or risk losing it and seeing a disaster befall them just before sundown. Can the Yankees hold out? Or, can the Confederates manage just one more push and capture a large part of the I Corps?
The Rebels are really starting to feel the pressure of losing too many men. They are fewer than 5,000 casualties from being forced to concede the battle. The Federals are still 13,000 casualties away from that eventuality. If the Rebels can manage a breakthrough here they can turn those numbers around and suddenly even the playing field for day three. If they can’t, it is just a matter of attrition as the Federals keep attacking.
Turn Fifty-eight
5:40 PM, September 6, Light Rain (Visibility: 15 Hexes)
Union:
Union Movements:
Fighting around Crums Ford has continued as the I Corps units have regained their footing and are trying to hold on to their gains west of the river. The II Corps units closest to the I Corps are trying to stretch to reach their lines to form a continuous line of Yankees from Toll Gate Bridge to Crums Ford. To the south the fighting also has continued at Monocacy Junction and Worthington’s Ford where the Federals are trying to keep up the pressure on all points of the Confederate army.
Brogden wrote to Mallory that, “The struggles continues to get across at Crums Ford but we’re starting to hurt a number of his regiments. The Second Corps regiments coming towards the right of the First Corps have given a boost of morale to my lads. We are still feinting at Worthington and getting some flanking shots on them at Monocacy Junction.” Mallory, feeling confident wrote back that, “It hasn't been easy, but we have this battle nearly won, my friend.”
Editor’s Note:
In every long game there are bound to be moments where you simply overlook something. It happened a number of turns ago and the I Corps suffered a number of units being isolated for a turn. Luckily for the Federals they quickly recovered with minimal losses. But, once again, an error has been made. The 17th U.S. Regulars have, once again, been left alone to guard a key hex in the middle of the Union line. Should the Rebels successfully melee this unit it will isolate a large part of the I Corps during the following turn. Could this be a game changing moment?
Confederate:
Confederate Movements:
Another turn of heavy fighting all along the Monocacy River. Brig. Gen. Cadmus Wilcox was killed leading his men near Crums Ford while Union Col. George Burling was wounded near Monocacy Junction. Reformed Confederate units have struck the I Corps again while units from Mahone’s Brigade have charged the 17th U.S. Regulars once more. This time they succeeded in driving them back and capturing the critical hex to isolate a chunk of I Corps again.
Editor’s Note:
Surprisingly, Hively and Swanson seemed pretty calm with the results of their turn. Having isolated 3,489 Yankees I would think they’d celebrate a little! This issue will be whether or not the thin grey line can hold out for a full turn and take the brunt of the Union counterattack to break their stranglehold. If they can then they may begin to bag these isolated units next turn. If not then they will have to settle for minimal gains while the Yankees live to fight another day.
Above: The I Corps units which are isolated are marked out on the map.
End of Turn fifty-eight:
Total Strength:
USA: 44,027 (-320)
CSA: 34,071 (-634)
​
Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 15,181 (+320)
CSA: 16,749 (+634)
​
Artillery Losses:
USA: 14
CSA: 33
Right: The Rebs have isolated part of the I Corps again, will they be able to capitalize?
editor's note:
This turn represents, perhaps, the last hope for the Confederates to achieve a victory at the Battle of Monocacy Junction. The Confederates are nearly out of artillery ammunition, have suffered heavy losses, and have no reserves left to commit to the battle. Nighttime is fast approaching and unless they are able to substantially even up the casualties, or even better to go ahead, it will be almost impossible for them to stop the Federal tide rolling over them tomorrow. Lee’s Army has simply suffered too many losses to keep fighting much longer. I believe everything hinges on whether or not the I Corps can free itself from its isolation and whether the Confederates can successfully keep them pinned against the river and capture the whole lot of them. Even with the capture of the 3,500 men it does not make a Confederate victory substantially easier. But should they fail here it will be all but impossible.
Turn Fifty-nine
6:00 PM, September 6, Light Rain (Visibility: 15 Hexes)
Union:
Editor’s Note:
With a large number of units isolated it is imperative that the Federals counterattack wherever they can to break the Confederate hold on them west of the river. The I Corps suffered minimal routs and a number of units are still able to take offensive action west of the river.
Before beginning the turn Brogden wrote to Mallory that it wasn’t “as bad as I feared. But it all depends on the upcoming melees and the condition of their troops.” Mallory responded that, “Most of the Rebel units there (in the front line as well as the back line) are disrupted. They can't take much more. Push them hard.”
Union Movements:
The Federals of the I Corps have fought hard this turn against Anderson’s Division. Willard’s brigade of the II Corps has moved to strike the Confederates attacking the I Corps to try and break their hold north of Crums Ford. Three melee assaults were launched overall and two of three were successful near Crums Ford.
Editor’s Note:
The Federals made the right moves here by counterattacking everywhere they could to cause maximum disruption to the Confederate units isolating them. Will it be enough to break the Rebel hold on them?
Confederate:
Editor’s Note:
Despite losing six units to routs the Confederates still have a chance to keep the Yankees isolated if they counterattack and win in all the right spots. Unfortunately, they are almost all disrupted at this point and will be unable to take full advantage of the situation. Right now, the Rebels have a wolf by the ears and can neither hold him nor let him go. Dangerous position to be in.
The turn began with Swanson writing Hively that, “We'll hit them hard this turn and even if we can not regain isolation status for their units almost all isolated units will rout if meleed.” Hively replied that, “Anderson's Division is really getting shot to pieces, the Yanks are suffering too, I'm sure, but Anderson is going to collapse if this keeps up. I'm moving Brockenbrough toward Crums Ford from Monocacy Junction in case they are needed. I'm also moving a brigade from Heth's Division at Hope Bridge northward toward the more threatened areas.”
Confederate Moves:
Confederate counterattacks this turn were successful against the isolated Union regiments but they were unable to close the doors on the I Corps again. The advance by the left flank of the II Corps to link with the right flank of the I Corps has saved thousands of Federals from becoming isolated once more. Far to the south Davis’s Brigade of Heth’s Division has moved into column at Hope Bridge and is beginning its long march northward.
End of Turn fifty-nine:
Total Strength:
USA: 43,600 (-427)
CSA: 33,413 (-658)
​
Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 15,608 (+427)
CSA: 17,407 (+658)
​
Artillery Losses:
USA: 14
CSA: 33
Right: Union counterattacks have once more relieved the pressure on the I Corps
editor's note:
Because the Confederates were unable to keep the I Corps units isolated the battle is essentially over. The Confederates have absolutely no way to prevent the Federals from continuing their advance west across the river. They can also not safely retreat anymore. With the coming fall of night the opportunity will exist to slip away in the darkness. If this were a real battle that would be the saving grace of the Army of Northern Virginia at the moment – living to fight another day. But, a loss is still a loss. And this battle now is over. The two sides will battle on for a time as the Confederates have still not hit their casualty limitation of 21,000 casualties. But they are rapidly approaching it. Their last, best, hope of pulling out a miraculous victory was to crush the I Corps back against the river. Things did not go their way though. There is no “Plan B” for Swanson and Hively. The shooting will continue, and no heads will be hung in shame – but hope is gone for the boys in gray for a victory.
Turn Sixty
6:20 PM, September 6, Light Rain (Visibility: 15 Hexes)
Union:
Union Movements:
With the I Corps units no longer isolated the Federals slowed their melee attacks on Anderson’s Division though the firefights continued unabated. Brig. Gen. James Lane was killed in the fighting and numerous other Confederate regiments took losses all along the line. At Monocacy Junction the fighting resumed though the Federals opted to not cross over to attack the Confederates in their trenches. In the southeast the last captured supply wagon was recaptured by the Federal cavalry who had rushed rearward after the southern raiders had caused such destruction earlier.
Brogden and Mallory were both feeling pretty confident that the fighting at Crums Ford was in hand by this point. Brogden wrote Mallory that, “Hopefully some more Rebs will break at Crums and skedaddle. I got some good flanking fire on some of his troops. It will be interesting to see if the Rebs continue the attack at Crums or elsewhere.”
Confederate:
Confederate Movements:
The Confederates suffered a number of routs at the start of their turn which all but crippled Anderson’s Division once again. They continued to apply pressure to the Union’s I Corps around Crums Ford but were not able to isolate them once more as they had hoped. Brockenbrough’s Brigade of Heth’s Division has arrived at Monocacy Junction and is moving northeast to join Anderson’s Division in support.
The losses were mounting quickly and the Confederate line were crumbling. Hively wrote to Swanson that, “Anderson's units are routing more and more, I think I need some help if you have anything.” Unfortunately Swanson wrote his men “are more fatigued than yours.” Nonetheless Swanson and Hively vowed to keep fighting on and hope that the Federals would eventually suffer a massive rout and allow them to isolate and capture a chunk of the Union army.
End of Turn sixty:
Total Strength:
USA: 43,417 (-183)
CSA: 32,938 (-475)
​
Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 15,791 (+183)
CSA: 17,882 (+475)
​
Artillery Losses:
USA: 14
CSA: 33
Right: Fighting continues heaviest at Crums Ford though the Confederates are melting away
editor's note:
Things are just not going well for the Rebels at this point. As mentioned a number of turns ago they needed to fall back and regroup while they still could do so. But with the Federals now on top of them and firmly established west of the river there is no chance for the Rebels to disengage safely until nightfall. And, even if they are able to hold out that long, they need all the rest possible to recover from their long day of battle. For the Federals they continue to slug it out turn after turn. They know the Rebels are weakening and that sooner or later they will melt away and be unable to continue the battle. It is a war of attrition now.
Turn Sixty-one
6:40 PM, September 6, Light Rain (Visibility: 15 Hexes)
Union:
Union Movements:
The Federals suffered a number of units routed this turn but their lines still held despite that. Fire combat has continued at Crums Ford and at Monocacy Junction.
Brogden wrote to Mallory that he is, “continuing a strategy of attrition. Hopefully a number of my flank shots in the Crums area will cause routs thus giving me some breathing room to cross more men over.” Both generals seem increasingly confident that both I and II Corps will hold through the evening and into the night.
Confederate:
Editor’s Note: Before the start of the turn Hively and Swanson finally had the talk that, I believe, they should have had about six hours ago.
Hively wrote that, “I think it is time to face that we are not strong enough to push the Yanks back at Crum's Ford. Many of Anderson's regiments are trading shots in the open with Yanks in woods or trenches. Most of the Reb units are suffering from high fatigue and low strength. The math just doesn't work. Plus, we are about to run out of artillery ammo. Our position will collapse soon.” Hively suggested pulling back to try and regroup in the woods west of Crums Ford and to rest for the night and keep fighting on the morrow. Swanson agreed that the situation was dire. “I'm sorry to say that we're probably looking at a loss in this one. A concerted effort by them, even if we cause casualties at three to one, we probably see us reach the casualty limit before they do. Simply too many Confederate casualties, mostly from when I was trying to dig in under fire at Toll Gate.” Hively agreed with Swanson’s analysis,” I think our last best chance was the isolation melee's you were trying to do, and we just didn't have the strength. It was right to try, but now we have to try something else. I'll start the withdrawal now.” But the conversation went on as they came up with a new plan to fall back and regroup. Hively guessed they would pursue aggressively while Swanson believed the Yanks were as worn out as they were and would be cautious with night approaching.
Confederate Movements:
The Confederates are falling back from Crums Ford in an attempt to disengage before nightfall and regroup to the west in the tree-lined ridge overlooking Crums Ford. To the south Davis’ Brigade is making progress on its long delayed northern march and at Monocacy Junction the Confederates remain in place blocking and Federal advance in the center.
End of Turn sixty-one:
Total Strength:
USA: 43,197 (-220)
CSA: 32,501 (-437)
​
Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 16,011 (+220)
CSA: 18,319 (+437)
​
Artillery Losses:
USA: 14
CSA: 33
Right: Overhead view of the battlefield
editor's note:
At long last the Confederates have switched to Plan B. Falling back is the right move. It is too late to save the battle, I believe, but at least they can start to rest and hope for a miracle on the third day of fighting. They can go down swinging with the arrival of Rodes’ Division early in the morning at Frederick City.