Turn Twenty-One
5:20 AM, September 6, Dawn (Visibility: 4 Hexes)
Union:
Union Movements:
The Federals continued to move forward units from the II Corps towards Toll Gate Bridge while in the south the III Corps division of Humphreys headed for Hope Bridge. Artillery and small arms fire continued near the crossings as the sides fought over positioning.
Confederate:
Confederate Moves:
The 6th Louisiana of Hays’ Brigade was routed rearwards near the Toll Gate Bridge, once again disrupting entrenchment efforts near the bridge. Elsewhere the batteries and infantry continued to fire upon the Federals wherever they showed themselves.
Hively wrote to Swanson that, “It looks like (for now) not a lot of pressure on the Worthington’s Ford area south of Monocacy Junction. I'm sending a brigade from AP Hill's Division (Scales’ Brigade) to Monocacy Junction as a reserve.”
End of Turn twenty-one:
Total Strength:
USA: 34,135 (-202)
CSA: 41,878 (-120)
​
Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 1,025 (+167)
CSA: 826 (+120)
​
Artillery Losses:
USA: 0
CSA: 0
Right: The overhead map of the battlefield.
editor's note:
At the moment watching the two sides fire across the river at one another isn’t the most interesting thing but it is a nice little chess match. Something has to give eventually as the two sides both can't both control every crossing point.
Turn Twenty-two
5:40 AM, September 6, Dawn (Visibility: 4 Hexes)
Union:
Union Moves:
More firing occurred all along the river during this turn. The fire was especially effective at Toll Gate Bridge where Brig. Gen. Jerome Robertson was wounded during the shelling. The Federals have massed Caldwell’s division and Gibbon’s division east of the bridge and are awaiting the large numbers of artillery units now arriving to support them. Currently there are only four Federal guns firing over the bridge along with Farnsworth’s dismounted men. But their firing has been very effective and is wearing down the defenders a few hexes away in the open fields.
“There is not much happening down south. As the sun rises it seems apparent that the Rebs are digging in and have strong positions at every crossing. As we get more reinforcements it is obvious that the roads will dictate where we deploy for a main assault. I think you need to assemble the fresh artillery to blast a hole in their defenses up north as the reinforcements can arrive there the quickest.” So wrote Brogden after this move. Mallory was on the same page as him as he wrote back, “Very well. I'll focus all the guns arriving in my sector on one or both of the northern crossings. It's at the Toll Gate where we're having our greatest success. Not only did we take out around 100 more of their men than they did of ours, but they lost General Robertson, as well. That's the area I plan to place my guns. So far the Rebs have only managed to entrench in one hex, and I intend to see they don't get any more dug.”
Mallory continued to discuss the ways that they could win this unique double-blind game. “Forcing one or more crossings in order to take at least two of the objectives is one way to win this battle. Another is for the Rebs to lose about 18,600 men before we lose 26,950. [Here Mallory was making a pure guess at how many men the Rebels could lose before being forced to retreat. The actual number of men the Confederates could afford to lose before being forced to fall back is 21,000. Neither side knows how many men the other side has or how many they can lose precisely.] At the rate both sides are losing men currently, they'll reach their casualty limit before we reach ours. They have lost fewer than 1,000 so far, but most of those have come since the sun came up this morning. Once I bring my guns to bear, they will start losing a lot more, a lot faster. If they try to make a stand at the Toll Gate, our guns will punish them severely. If they pull back, I'll have an entire corps (three full divisions) ready to pour across, with artillery cover from our side of the river.”
Confederate:
Even as Mallory and Brogden were discussing the Toll Gate Bridge so to were the Confederates. Hively began the conversation. “I'm getting worried about the Toll Gate Bridge. The Yanks are shooting from higher ground and using forests and trenches. We just have two trenches and a lot of open ground. We are going to come in second place trading shots if they mass more artillery, and I expect they will.” Swanson agreed with his comments. “Toll Gate Bridge is of some concern. Only one of their forest hexes has a trench but all their hexes seem to be invulnerable to my fire. I have an entire division heading there plus a lot of artillery. I'm now looking at setting up defensive works immediately behind the front line (who keep getting shot up and disrupted). I think clearer decisions can be made next turn when we can see what is happening further than four hexes away.”
Confederate Moves:
The Confederate turn began with the routing of the 1st Texas and 3rd Arkansas away from Toll Gate Bridge. These two units are very heavily fatigued after their nighttime fighting and maneuvering and the loss of Robertson caused both to once again rout from the field. Hoke’s Brigade has moved up to reinforce the remnants of Robertson’s Brigade two hexes away from the Toll Gate Bridge. These units, massed with Hays’ Louisiana brigade, Law’s Brigade and Robertson’s Texans, have created a large mass of men in the open fields near the bridge.
In addition to Scales’ Brigade of AP Hill’s Division moving north to act as a reserve the brigade of Brig. Gen. Edward Thomas is also being detached. This still leaves AP Hill with three brigades at Worthington’s Ford south of Monocacy Junction.
End of Turn twenty-two:
Total Strength:
USA: 34,688 (+553)
CSA: 41,726 (-152)
​
Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 1,172 (+147)
CSA: 978 (+152)
​
Artillery Losses:
USA: 0
CSA: 0
Right: Overhead map of the battlefield. The Confederates at Toll Gate Bridge are massed west of the crossing and still trying to get organized.
editor's note:
Things are getting more interesting at Toll Gate Bridge with each turn. The Confederates are really occupying a poor position west of the bridge. The Federals have far superior ground and in another two hours, once their artillery is in place, they will begin to absolutely rake the Confederate lines with overwhelming shot and shell. Inevitably, I think, the Confederates will have to pull back at least 7 or 8 hexes from the bridge in order to escape the worst of the fire and use the only moderate ridge in the area as a new defensive position. Doing this will allow the Federals to cross but they will still have to do so under the muzzles of Rebel cannons. Swanson seemed to indicate he was going to start falling back when he wrote he was going to start setting up defensive works behind the front lines. Instead, he has reinforced his front lines and has only Gordon’s Brigade left in reserve on the Confederate northern flank. The problem for Swanson is that when units are routed or disrupted they stop building trenches or breastworks. He continues to start these projects but the efforts have been largely wasted as a result of enemy firing.
I believe he is hoping he can still entrench on the ridge two hexes from the bridge to use as a forward line and on the ridge 7 hexes away from the bridge as a secondary line. I guess we will see what happens. As Federal guns multiply it will make his forward position a hot one.
Turn Twenty-Three
6:00 AM, September 6, Light Rain (Visibility: 15 Hexes)
Union:
Union Moves:
Firing along the river continues. Another large group of Federal guns have arrived and are headed towards Toll Gate Bridge.
Mallory wrote that his offensive fire against Hughes Ford was so ineffectual that he would now just change facings purposefully with his guns trying to draw enemy fire to cause them to auto-fire and waste their own ammo. Clever. “We continue to have much better results at the Toll Gate, preventing the Rebs from entrenching at the crossing itself. They are now entrenching further back. For the time being, I'll be content to wear down their units closest to me. Once my guns come up I can start long-range firing at the back-rank Rebels. My main focus is to make it possible for our boys to make a strong crossing later.”
Confederate:
Confederate Moves:
The Confederates continued to contest their forward position closer to Toll Gate Bridge by unlimbering numerous guns and trying to entrench and build breastworks where possible. All of Ewell’s available units are now on the front lines with no ready reserve.
By now it was increasingly evident to the Rebels that the Federals were concentrated only against two crossing points. Brogden pointed it out and Swanson quickly agreed with his assessment, “Yes, Toll Gate and Hope's Bridge and possibly a half-hearted effort at Monocacy Junction. Two different players: two different objectives.”
He continued to discuss his strategy at the Toll Gate Bridge. “I'm beginning a reorganization of the defenses at Toll Gate in a bid to avoid some of the closer ranged fire. A large amount of artillery will be set up soon and then I'll really start to blast the Yankees there. Jones' cavalry is on the way there for support in the case of any breakthrough.” Rather than seeking any reinforcements for the north for his own lines he advised caution to the south at Hope Bridge. “Unless Brogden sees an opportunity arise early, he will keep firing away at you in the south until most of his force has arrived and you are significantly outnumbered. Then he will come across with everything he has got. Despite your excellent defenses in that area you will probably need to send your reinforcements there to support Heth.”
End of Turn twenty-three:
Total Strength:
USA: 34,966 (+278)
CSA: 41,529 (-197)
​
Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 1,444 (+272)
CSA: 1,175 (+197)
​
Artillery Losses:
USA: 0
CSA: 0
Right: The overhead map of the battlefield.
editor's note:
The Confederates have correctly figured out that the Federals are working two specific crossing points more than the others. Both crossing points offer the best chance to force their way across. The next six hours will offer the Federals a good opportunity in the north to force their way over Toll Gate Bridge with the fresh II Corps. The I Corps will arrive by late morning and can either reinforce the III Corps at Hope Bridge or move to put added pressure on other points. It will be interesting to see what the decision will be.
Turn Twenty-Four
6:20 AM, September 6, Light Rain (Visibility: 15 Hexes)
Union:
Union Moves:
The Federals continued their barrage of artillery and small arms fire across the river. Humphreys’ Division has joined Birney’s division at Hope Bridge in the south. Along the Baltimore Pike in the north dozens of Union batteries are massing opposite Toll Gate Bridge and are starting to open fire on the Confederates across the water.
Mallory wrote to Brogden about the artillery situation in the north, “We continue to have good results at the Toll Gate, preventing the Rebs from entrenching at the crossing itself. They are now entrenching further back. For the time being, I'll be content to wear down their units closest to me. Once all my guns come up I can start long-range firing at the back-rank Rebels. My main focus is to make it possible for our boys to make a strong crossing later.” Mallory also began to realize that a single corps attempting a crossing in the north might not be sufficient to carry the position. “Since our best opportunity for a successful crossing seems to be at the Toll Gate, you might consider marching 1st Corps up to Crums Ford, to support my attack on the Toll Gate. Once across the Toll Gate Bridge, I would make it a priority to move south and uncover Crums Ford from behind, allowing Reynold's 1st Corps to cross unopposed. That would give us two entire corps across the river, and close enough to support each other.”
Confederate:
Confederate Moves:
The Confederate artillery fire was especially deadly this turn. At Hope Bridge Maj. Gen. David Birney was killed by a Union shell while riding amongst his men a few hexes back from the river. In the north Brig. Gen. George A. Custer was wounded while directing Horse Artillery from a hilltop near Hughes Ford. At Worthington’s Ford two Federal guns were destroyed by Confederate fire. In the north Ewell’s Corps continued to largely concentrate at Toll Gate Bridge. The forces there are spreading out some to form a semi-circle facing the crossing point in anticipation of a Union crossing at some point.
Ironically, Swanson was also thinking about where the Union reinforcements and main attacks would fall. “I am very confident that Heth is going to be attacked by virtually all of John Brogden's forces. It is fortunate that the Yankee artillery has yet to arrive there but it's sure to be coming down the road. You're probably going to need to send all your reinforcements to that area. Except for Toll Gate and Hope’s Bridge I believe all the other Yankee approaches at the other crossing are mere diversions and half-hearted efforts that will only develop into full scale assaults if they sense a weakness and can get units there quickly enough to take advantage.”
End of Turn Twenty-four:
Total Strength:
USA: 35,232 (+266)
CSA: 41,353 (-176)
​
Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 1,678 (+234)
CSA: 1,351 (+176)
​
Artillery Losses:
USA: 2
CSA: 0
Right: The overhead map of the battlefield.
editor's note:
A deadly turn for the Yankees! Losing a divisional commander is rough. It was one of those inevitable lucky shots that just found its mark. Brogden did nothing wrong and Birney was not unnecessarily exposed. He was just at the wrong place at the wrong time. Losing two artillery pieces was also a piece of bad luck. The Confederates positions at Worthington’s Ford and Monocacy Junction are very strong. Federal efforts at these places was bold at first to give the impression of strength but they are no longer fooling the Rebs. If Union guns ever encircle Monocacy Junction from the heights around it they can dominate the area. But that is unlikely as the bulk of Federal guns are now in use at Toll Gate Bridge. I’d like to see the Yanks probably fall back from the Monocacy Junction/Worthington’s Ford area and just watch them from a distance. Maybe the Rebs attack across the river or maybe they disengage and weaken the fords. If they do either one of those the large I Corps soon to arrive will be in a position to take advantage of it quickly.
Turn Twenty-Five
6:40 AM, September 6, Light Rain (Visibility: 15 Hexes)
Union:
Union Moves:
The Federals continued to unlimber guns opposite the Toll Gate Bridge as the Artillery Reserve arrived. In the south Col. deTrobriand took over Birney’s Division which continued its skirmishing with Heth’s Division over Hope Bridge. The final division from the II Corps has began to arrive from the east.
Talking more about strategy Brogden wrote to Mallory that, “crossing at any place now seems to be costly. The advantage seems to be best at the Toll Gate Bridge because the enemy forces have already been weakened. They do seem to be rushing reinforcements up that way. I think our best bet would be to keep pounding their forces and supply wagons with strong artillery fire and get set for a coordinated attack on the 3rd day unless an opportunity presents itself to establish a beachhead before then.” Mallory agreed with these plans. He wrote back that his, “secondary objective at the Toll Gate Bridge (after getting firmly established on the west side of the river) will be to send a division south to uncover Crums Ford, so Reynolds’ corps can cross there safely." "In the meantime," he went on, "I'm going to unlimber more guns along the ridge to the south of the Toll Gate Bridge, overlooking the route of Hancock's advance south. It will look to the Rebs as if I am simply setting up guns to fire on the southern flank of their Toll Gate bridge line, but the real purpose will be to support the eventual drive south.”
Confederate:
Confederate Moves:
Thomas’ and Scales’ brigades have reached Monocacy Junction where they are in support of Jones’ Brigade of Johnson’s Division. The remaining three brigades of AP Hill’s Division are at Worthington’s Ford. To the south Heth’s Division continues to guard Hope Bridge closely. At Toll Gate Bridge the Federal guns continue to pour a heavy fire into the Confederates west of the river. More routs occurred this turn but enough men are massed there that their places were quickly taken by other units.
End of Turn twenty-five:
Total Strength:
USA: 36,874 (+1,642)
CSA: 41,134 (-219)
​
Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 1,870 (+192)
CSA: 1,570 (+219)
​
Artillery Losses:
USA: 2
CSA: 0
Right: Action continues largely at Toll Gate Bridge in the north and Hope Bridge in the south.
editor's note:
There are two northern crossings on the map at Hughes Ford and at Toll Gate Bridge. What I find interesting is that Hughes Ford is defended by one brigade and Toll Gate Bridge by most of seven brigades. The Federals have a direct road to Hughes Ford and the Confederates have almost no ability to contest a crossing of the ford there once the initial hex west of the river is overrun. By attacking at both points they would force the Confederates to rapidly move and readjust their lines. A major attack could be launched at Hughes Ford in just a matter of a few turns using the road. Maybe it is a diversionary attack… maybe it isn’t. The Confederates will not know as they have no line of sight behind Union lines. An opportunity is being missed here as the Federals have applied real pressure to only the Toll Gate Bridge.
Above: With all of the action at Toll Gate Bridge the possible movement against Hughes Ford seems to be forgotten. As you can see the possibility exists in the north for a much easier breakthrough after the initial action at the ford.