Turn Thirty-One
8:40 AM, September 6, Light Rain (Visibility: 15 Hexes)
Union:
Union Moves:
Union artillery fire has continued to rip large holes into the Confederate regiments at Toll Gate Bridge. There is general firing all along the Monocacy River at this point.
Mallory wrote to Brogden that all was progressing well with their plans. “The casualty difference at the beginning of our turn is now in our favor. At Hughes Ford our entrenched units changed facing to the south, then back to the southwest, one at a time, drawing enemy fire almost every time. They're burning small arms fire and artillery ammo, at almost zero cost to us. The Rebs have pulled back from the Toll Gate bridge for the most part. I guess they got tired of being our punching bag. Nonetheless, I don't want to be in TOO big of a hurry to get across - if Hancock's 2d Corps gets across, they must be able to hold their own until Reynolds' 1st Corps arrives. On the other hand, if I can get one or two of those Reb units guarding the bridge to rout, we could start moving across and forming under the cover of our guns. It's tempting . . . but we must remain patient. I don't expect they would attempt to counter-attack, with our guns still in position, but if they do we would be ready for them.”
Confederate:
Editor's Note:
Mallory’s comments about what would happen if the units guarding the bridge all routed were prophetic. At the beginning of the Confederate turn the three infantry units guarding the Toll Gate Bridge all routed at once. There are still two sections of guns at the bridge but the nearest infantry support is now four hexes away. And beyond them the rest of the Confederate infantry is still another two hexes away on the ridge west of the river. What does this mean? It means in order to regain the lost trenches the Confederates will need to march along a wide-open road under 70 Union guns to keep blocking the river. Or, it will mean the Confederates will need to finally fall back away from the river and allow the Federals to cross. Here we go! What will Swanson and Hively decide?
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Confederate Moves:
The Confederates have abandoned the trenches next to Toll Gate Bridge at long last. They have pulled back 6 hexes away from the bridge and are rapidly trying to build trenches and breastworks to defend the now open crossing. Confederate artillery has continued to bang away but largely without effect. At Hope Bridge the firing has slackened in an effort to conserve ammo as the Federals are much less aggressive there than they are at Toll Gate Bridge.
Despite losing Toll Gate Bridge the Confederates do not seem overly concerned that the Federals will cross. “It doesn't seem like they are preparing to cross Toll Bridge,” Hively wrote Swanson. “Fortunately,” Swanson replied, “this means that I can actually dig in, and do so in positions away from their artillery. Although the casualty exchange is not going well for us I do not think that simply exchanging fire across the river will be sufficient for them to have us reach our casualty limit so they must take an objective to deny us victory - and that means crossing the river.” With seemingly little concern about a crossing the Confederates are banking on a break at Toll Gate Bridge while they entrench and await the Union attack.
End of Turn thirty-one:
Total Strength:
USA: 39,868 (-122)
CSA: 39,733 (-191)
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Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 2,574 (+72)
CSA: 2,846 (+191)
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Artillery Losses:
USA: 3
CSA: 5
Right: The Confederates nearest Toll Gate Bridge have routed westward leaving a path open to finally cross the river.
editor's note:
Interesting. The Rebels are really caught between a rock and a hard place here. I think falling back was the right move and given the lack of aggression by the Federals so far… maybe they have cause to be overconfident that the Yanks will allow them time to prepare. But, will the Yankees allow them that time? If there was ever a moment to attack… it is now. The bridge is clear and the Confederates are largely unprepared with many units disrupted and/or routed. If the attack is delayed it will only give the Confederates more time to entrench and bring up the eventual reinforcements which will come their way later this afternoon.
The next turn should be telling.
Above: The Federals are now poised to cross the river and storm Reich Ridge beyond the bridge. The Confederates have routed rearwards and have few set defenses established.
Turn Thirty-Two
9:00 AM, September 6, Light Rain (Visibility: 15 Hexes)
Union:
Union Moves:
Charge! The Federals at Toll Gate Bridge have come surging over the river to the western side of Monocacy River! Led by Farnsworth’s cavalrymen the Federals have crossed over in force with units taking up positions just out of sight of the massed Rebel guns on the ridge west of the river. Carroll’s and Willard’s brigades of Hays’ division, II Corps, were right behind the cavalrymen and have moved into line to protect their toehold on the western bank.
To the south, at Hope Bridge, the situation remains status quo as Brogden patiently waits for the arrival of I Corps to open up a second front, or third, away from the Toll Gate Bridge.
Mallory wrote to Brogden to discuss his next moves. “The Rebs were able to see our men moving down the road to the bridge, so they know we're across - but I'm pretty sure they can only see one of our units behind our covering ridge. I'd like to keep it that way as long as possible. Next turn, we'll plan to spread out and reinforce. That will put most of four good infantry brigades across, with three cavalry regiments, supported by our vast array of artillery. I may have them dig breastworks, just out of sight of the Rebs, until Reynolds’ corps arrives on the scene.”
Confederate:
Confederate Moves:
The Confederates at Reich Ridge (west of Toll Gate Bridge) did little this turn except continue their entrenching. Across the battlefield the Rebels seemed to be largely inactive aside from shifting the occasional unit one way or the other a little and exchanging a few artillery shells with Federal units.
Hively and Swanson only briefly seemed to mention the crossing of the Federals. “Yes, a couple of nosey Yankee units,” Swanson wrote. “Fortunately, as you said earlier, he doesn't have much near Toll Gate that is ready to cross so I should have enough time to continue with the defensive works.”
End of Turn thirty-two:
Total Strength:
USA: 39,806 (-62)
CSA: 39,587 (-146)
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Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 2,636 (+62)
CSA: 2,992 (+146)
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Artillery Losses:
USA: 3
CSA: 5
Right: The Federals are across the river at Toll Gate Bridge at long last.
editor's note:
To quote Mallory, “until Reynolds’ corps arrives on the scene.” Does he mean to stay inactive until then and simply entrench opposite the Rebel line? I hope not! It will be four or more hours before Reynolds could even approach any of the crossing points over the Monocacy. It will be about three more for his whole corps to concentrate and push across. That’s assuming they are able to push across uncontested. But that is not likely and it took Mallory all night and the early morning to force his way across the least defended and most susceptible of the crossing points for the Union. At no other crossing point do the Federals have such natural advantages of terrain. Earlier he stated he was going to move south to try and uncover Crums Ford for the I Corps to storm across and join forces with him. That was the best idea and one which should be immediately put into action. Should Mallory delay for a number of hours it will only allow the Rebs all the time they desperately need to build defenses and shift men to threatened areas.
This might be the breather the Confederates need as they await the arrival of Anderson’s much needed division.
The Confederate turn has me stumped as well. Swanson has left four two-gun sections supported only by 233 infantrymen in front of his main line in a clear field. They have no breastworks or trenches to protect them and there are roughly 4,000 Federals within easy striking distance. He has three more artillery pieces protected by just 219 men only two hexes away. Both of these hexes could very easily be taken and the guns destroyed. The Federals making these moves would be able to knock out the Confederate guns and still stay protected by their own artillery should any counterattack then occur.
I don’t get it. I feel like I am watching a poker game where Swanson has a losing hand but has put a large bet on the table believing that Mallory will not call. Mallory has the better hand right now but has lost a hand or two to Swanson in the past and is wary to call his bluff. What will happen?
Turn Thirty-Three
9:20 AM, September 6, Light Rain (Visibility: 15 Hexes)
Union:
Union Moves:
The Federals have continued to cross Toll Gate Bridge but did not advance to attack Reich Ridge. They are massing men and spreading out to the north and south just west of the Monocacy River.
Mallory wrote a full recap of the situation to Brogden at this point:
“Our bridgehead across the Monocacy River at the Toll Gate Bridge is established. We have enough men over, backed by artillery, to secure it against all but the most overwhelming counterattack, which I doubt the Rebs will attempt.
The next thing to consider is our drive south, to Crums Ford - which is not to begin until 1st Corps has arrived and begun its march north along first the Frederick & Georgetown Pike then the Reels Mill Road. Reynolds’ corps will be led by Wadsworth's division. They are high-quality men. They are scheduled to arrive at 11 AM, five turns from now. Once they arrive, it will take the lead elements 9 turns (until 2:20 PM) to reach Crums Ford, assuming they remain in column formation and march right up to the crossing. We know the Rebs are entrenched behind the crossing, so stopping to fire would be a waste of our ammo. I think they have breastworks built, as well. I highly suggest storming the ford, with troops still in column formation. If Wadsworth's men are A and B quality, as I think they are, they probably won't disrupt before melee. The Rebs won't see Reynolds coming until he strikes them. The element of surprise will be in our favor.
There is no hurry for a general attack at Reich Ridge. It would come no earlier than 2 PM, just before Reynolds begins his assault on Crums Ford. That gives us plenty of time to get more of 2nd Corps across and into position, and to continue to soften the Reb line up with artillery fire. (My artillery has been ignoring the entrenched Rebel hexes on the ridge. We get much more bang for our artillery buck against entrenching Rebels, as they are in column/mounted formation with no protection.)
Of course, this is all based on what the Rebs currently have on top of the ridge. They, also, will have plenty of time between now and 2 PM to bring up more reinforcements - so their defensive situation could change. But I think this plan has the best chance for success now. The important thing is to get 2nd Corps across the river, expanding our bridgehead and preparing for whatever assault they can launch.”
Confederate:
Confederate Moves:
With the Federals having halted their advance the Rebels are using the time to fortify behind Reich Ridge. Jones’ remaining regiments at Monocacy Junction are being hurried north to rejoin their division. This will consolidate almost all of Ewell’s two divisions at Reich Ridge with just a single brigade both at Hughes Ford and Crums Ford.
Using the reverse side of a ridge or hill was a favored tactic of the Duke of Wellington. The advantages are that your men are shielded from enemy artillery fire and observation as well as the fact that their numbers are unknown to the enemy on the other side. As the commander you can then choose when to commit them to the battle and whether as an offensive force coming over the ridge to counterattack or a defensive one fighting the enemy advance.
End of Turn thirty-three:
Total Strength:
USA: 39,661 (-145)
CSA: 39,438 (-149)
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Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 2,781 (+145)
CSA: 3,141 (+149)
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Artillery Losses:
USA: 3
CSA: 5
Right: The overhead map of the battlefield.
editor's note:
I am fascinated right now. The Federals have a grand opportunity to drive right over a weaker Confederate line but are not risking it. There is no way they could know that it is weaker but all the clues are there that it is. To begin with the Federals badly damaged numerous Confederate units all morning near Toll Gate Bridge. Those units were seen constantly routing and regrouping on Reich Ridge. Then you have the fact that the Confederates fled, no other word for it, from Toll Gate Bridge once their units blocking it all routed on the same turn. Then you also have the fact that the Federals can see atop Reich Ridge. What is there now is hardly threatening at all as the enemy has few visible units and few prepared defensive positions. These clues should be enough to justify a concerted push directly on Reich Ridge or, at least, a move north (not south) to outflank the line.
As you can see from the image below the Confederates are still in force west of Reich Ridge. Their line expands and anchors itself on the Monocacy south of the ridge. Here the Federals have few maneuvering options, poor ground, and minimal artillery support. If they were to move north the ground is open and ideal for movement. They would uncover Hughes Ford almost without a fight. There would be plenty of artillery support as the guns dominate the open fields in this area. Lastly, they would completely outflank the Reich Ridge line. By advancing northwest they would force the Rebels to abandon the line or risk being completely outflanked and leaving Frederick City unprotected.
In my opinion the worst Federal option here is to wait. By doing so they gain nothing and basically give the Rebels five hours of uninterrupted preparation time. Eventually the Rebels will realize that the movement at Hope Bridge is a bluff and that Monocacy Junction is hardly being contested. Were the Rebs to take the initiative and push across Hood’s Corps in the south (AP Hill and Heth) they would completely undo all Federal plans and cause mass disruption. Or, if they were to send half or more of AP Hill’s Division north to reinforce Reich Ridge they could fight off the coming waves of I Corps and II Corps until the arrival of Anderson’s Division in the afternoon.
By waiting the ball has been placed back in Confederate hands. So far the Rebels have not been aggressive at all. With the tables turning on them (they don’t know the Federals plan to wait) will they take a chance and push across the river to feel out the Federal center? Will they launch a counterattack or simply hold all units in their places and hope Anderson’s arrival in four hours will be enough to stem any breakthroughs which might occur?
Damned if I know. But in every battle there are a handful of key turns and moments. This is one of them. If this were actual history it is the sort of moment that books are written about and armchair generals, such as myself at the moment, will analyze and propose alternative ideas. All I can do now though is wait and see what happens.
Above: The Confederates are setup to protect Reich Ridge from a direct attack from the east. Their right flank is being anchored on the Monocacy River but their left flank remains completely open to a turning movement.
Turn Thirty-Four
9:40 AM, September 6, Light Rain (Visibility: 15 Hexes)
Union:
Union Moves:
More Union forces have crossed Toll Gate Bridge but no infantry attack was made towards Reich Ridge. Long-range artillery fire continues over the Monocacy and three more Confederate guns were knocked out by the massed Union artillery unlimbered across from Reich Ridge.
Confederate:
Confederate Moves:
With the pressure increasing around Toll Gate Bridge all of Jones’ Brigade has now arrived from Monocacy Junction where their old lines were taken over by part of AP Hill’s Division. The addition of Jones’ Brigade allows the Confederates to stretch their line all around Reich Ridge to connect with the Monocacy south of the Toll Gate Bridge.
End of Turn Thirty-four:
Total Strength:
USA: 39,534 (-127)
CSA: 39,208 (-230)
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Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 2,908 (+127)
CSA: 3,296 (+155)
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Artillery Losses:
USA: 3
CSA: 8
Right: The Federal II Corps continues to cross the river and take up positions in the low ground opposite Reich Ridge.
editor's note:
I continue to wait for one side of the other to grab the initiative. Both have golden opportunities which are slipping away to take control of the situation.
Turn Thirty-Five
10:00 AM, September 6, Rain (Visibility: 10 Hexes)
Union:
Union Moves:
Firing over the Toll Gate Bridge continued as more of the II Corps crossed to the west of the river.
Mallory wrote to Brogden that, “I positioned more of the II Corps men for the assault, which I expect to begin next turn. This is earlier than I had planned, but the Rebs are sending reinforcements my way I decided it would be easier to take the ridge now and hold it against Rebels moving uphill than to wait and allow them to dig in more men on top. Plus, it occurred to me that my men were vulnerable sitting with their backs to the river: If the Rebs got enough men and became bold, my bridgehead would have nowhere to retreat if they were successfully assaulted.” Brogden offered to attack over Hope Bridge in the south as a diversionary measure.
Confederate:
Confederate Moves:
Little action occurred during the Rebel as they entrench and await a Union attack.
End of Turn thirty-five:
Total Strength:
USA: 39,413 (-121)
CSA: 39,069 (-139)
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Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 3,029 (+121)
CSA: 3,435 (+139)
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Artillery Losses:
USA: 3
CSA: 8
Right: Overhead view of the map.
editor's note:
Will Mallory attack? He seems to be implying that he will. Everything hinges on Mallory moving quickly before Swanson can make his lines stronger with the passage of time and the arrival of reinforcements. Right now Swanson has a number of weakly held hexes on his front lines. These include stacks of artillery pieces with a single 200-man infantry unit and another hex in the front lines which is turned at an angle to allow a melee from their rear by Mallory’s forces. Now is the time to attack (still).
Above: Numerous weaker stacks are fronting the Federal position in front of Toll Gate Bridge. A quick rush by Union forces should easily overrun these hexes and capture a dozen Confederate guns.