Turn Thirty-Six
10:20 AM, September 6, Rain (Visibility: 10 Hexes)
Union:
Union Moves:
Charge! The Federals have moved against Reich Ridge. The brigade of Col. George Willard and three regiments of Farnsworth’s cavalry brigade advanced against the Confederates along the ridge. The cavalry easily swept in behind the Confederate position and drove off the enemy infantry units guarding four artillery pieces and captured them (see the map with turn 35 for a detailed view). Willard’s brigade made no charges but came up on Farnsworth’s left for support where they ran up against Confederates entrenched on the far side of the ridge.
Far to the south the two divisions of the III Corps opposite Hope Bridge have begun to fall back away from the crossing and out of the line of sight of Heth's Division there.
Editor’s Note:
There is a lot to discuss here. Mallory’s attack was well done but just not enough. An additional 4,000 men were left unused despite having only 300 Confederates guarding 12 artillery pieces just three hexes away. These infantrymen would have easily been overran and the guns captured. While the attack led by Farnsworth wiped out four enemy guns the damage could have been four times that had the attack been a general one. Mallory will, at least, get a good look on the other side of the ridge with Willard's infantrymen. But they will take heavy losses as the Confederates will concentrate their fire on the first Federals to top the ridge. The II Corps had a golden opportunity here to wipe out a large portion of the enemy artillery but did not take it.
Why did the III Corps divisions pull back? The two generals discussed that between them with Mallory writing, “The Rebs are dug in and uphill of you at Hope Bridge. They're in a wonderful position, and I'm sure they're aware of it. Unless they start sending units from down south up toward the Toll Gate fight (or other areas), I would counsel you to save your strength rather than attack in support of our efforts. Actually, I would suggest just the opposite of a feint: to withdraw any of your forces near the crossing which are within LOS of the enemy, at least a few hexes back. Make him come to you. The farther from him you are, the less effective his artillery will be. If he does venture a crossing (which I doubt), you'll have him at the disadvantage. If he decides we are no longer a threat in that area, he may send some of his forces north. Then you would have a better chance of 'scaring' him with a feint.” Brogden agreed with Mallory’s assessment and decided he would fall back rather than advance over Hope Bridge as a way to confuse the enemy and make them uncomfortable.
Confederate:
Confederate Moves:
Despite the loss of cannons the Confederates seem little concerned about the situation. On Reich Ridge the forces poured a heavy fire into the cavalry regiments of Farnsworth hoping to rout them out of the trenches they had just captured. The overly exposed artillery units forward of the main line were finally limbered up and removed to the main line taking them out of easy reach for the Union forces. To the south at Hope Bridge the sight of the enemy falling back has prompted a few adjustments as units are moving into line and preparing to move elsewhere if necessary.
Swanson seems unconcerned about the Union attack in the north. Remarking that while the loss of guns was regrettable that the Federals would likely rout back anyways and take heavy losses if they continued to attack Reich Ridge. Brogden offered to send reinforcements from Hope Bridge northward but Swanson declined and preferred any extra men be put into a general reserve to be used anywhere needed. At Monocacy Junction the Confederates finally spotted the weakness of the Union position and began a brief talk about moving over the river to attack and drive them back. Nothing was decided but the conversation was had. To the south the withdrawal of the Federals around Hope Bridge was noted by Swanson, “I'm not exactly sure what to make of it. I suspect that it was a ruse to encourage you to venture over to the other side. It'll be interesting to see if those troops march somewhere else.”
End of Turn thirty-six:
Total Strength:
USA: 39,074 (-339)
CSA: 38,795 (-274)
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Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 3,368 (+339)
CSA: 3,584 (+149)
​
Artillery Losses:
USA: 3
CSA: 13
Right: The Union attack against Reich Ridge has begun.
editor's note:
As stated above the attack by Mallory simply wasn’t large enough. For the past hour of gametime the Rebels were woefully unprepared for a massive assault on Reich Ridge. This mini-assault gave them a needed warning that their small stacks of men guarding big stacks of guns was a bad idea. They moved quickly to shore up the situation after the attack by Mallory achieved its limited success. An all-out assault would have netted many more guns and created havoc on Reich Ridge. Instead, the left flank of Mallory over the river has been neutralized and the easy targets once available have been removed. With each passing turn the ridge grows stronger as trenches and breastworks are built. There is still a way around the Union’s left flank (the opposite side of the ridge just attacked) but nobody seems to be paying attention to it.
Had a strong Union attack taken place earlier on Reich Ridge I have no doubt the Confederates would have been driven back. Reich Ridge is the key to the whole area on this flank. Whoever holds it controls the battlefield. With possession of the ridge the Federals could have brought over nearly 100 cannons and created an unbeatable force in the open fields around Frederick City. With the arrival of the VI Corps on this flank tomorrow it would have allowed them to concentrate quickly and dive into an all-out battle for control of Frederick City.
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But the grand assault on Reich Ridge has not occurred. Will it still? Or, is it already too late? Will Swanson's natural aggression prompt him to try and drive the Federals into the river and capture the whole lot? Let's see.
Turn Thirty-Seven
10:40 AM, September 6, Rain (Visibility: 10 Hexes)
Union:
Union Moves:
The Union attack continued on Reich Ridge this turn. The left flank of the Union advance drove against the Confederates atop the ridge and drove them back out of their trenches once more after a melee.
To the south the III Corps continues to feign a retreat away from Hope Bridge.
Brogden advised going after the northern end of Reich Ridge where the open fields and lack of enemy forces presented a more favorable set of circumstances rather than the trenches, woods, and hills on the other end of Reich Ridge. The desire to keep striking at the southern end of Reich Ridge was explained by Mallory to Brogden, “their right flank (southern part of Reich Ridge) is where I want to apply pressure in anticipation of a breakthrough to hit - or at least threaten - Crums Ford from the rear. With that in mind, I've shifted Hays' (3d) division farther to the left, and ordered Gibbons' (2d) division to the left to support them. I've also moved Hancock himself, along with a full supply wagon, to the left. I do believe the northern Reb flank to be the weakest, especially since they have no visible reinforcements on the way. They have refused their left flank, apparently in anticipation of us advancing there.”
Confederate:
Confederate Moves:
Firing continued at Toll Gate Bridge while limited advances were made in an attempt to rout the Federals by fire combat alone.
To the south Archer’s Brigade has begun to move to a reserve position with the decrease of enemy activity at Hope Bridge.
End of Turn thirty-seven:
Total Strength:
USA: 38,826 (-248)
CSA: 38,499 (-296)
​
Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 3,616 (+248)
CSA: 3,880 (+296)
​
Artillery Losses:
USA: 3
CSA: 13
Right: The Federals continue to advance against Reich Ridge.
editor's note:
As I watch this from above I can’t believe that the Rebels have not made a concerted effort to drive across the river at Monocacy Junction. To be fair they are strictly on the defensive but often the best way to defend something is to attack and throw the enemy’s plans into disarray. The Federals are wholly unprepared at Monocacy Junction for any Confederate attack and would be unable to stop them. But the window is rapidly closing as the I Corps arrives beginning next turn. Within a few more hours the Confederates will no longer be able to sally forth over the river and create pandemonium. If they were to do so soon though I’d imagine the rerouting of the I Corps and a major delay in Union plans.
Turn Thirty-Eight
11:00 AM, September 6, Rain (Visibility: 10 Hexes)
Union:
Union Moves:
Continued close-quarter fire combat on Reich Ridge is the order of the moment. Federals continue to cross at Toll Gate Bridge massing much of II Corps at the bridgehead.
The first brigade of the I Corps arrived this turn from the southeast. To the north Mallory remains positive about the developments at Toll Gate Bridge. He wrote Brogden that, “The Rebel reinforcements have arrived at the Toll Gate battlefield, but Hancock has plenty of men available to move up and secure our hold on the ridge. In short, I'm feeling very optimistic about what's about to happen.”
Confederate:
Confederate Moves:
Five Confederate regiments routed away from Reich Ridge at the start of the turn. To the west a battalion of reserve artillery batteries from Hood’s Corps has arrived and are heading towards the front now. Further south, Archer’s Brigade of Heth’s Division is moving north into a reserve position while Scales’ Brigade (A.P. Hill) has been detached from Monocacy Junction to Crums Ford to relieve the Stonewall Brigade. It is hoped the Stonewall Brigade may then move north to Toll Gate Bridge to reinforce Reich Ridge.
Swanson remains unconcerned with Union movements. He wrote to Hively that, “I'm not convinced that they have enough men to break through my line at Toll Gate. With the addition of the Stonewall Brigade I may be able to cause them considerable damage in five or six moves if I can move a couple of units to block the bridge there and isolate all their units on our side of the river.”
End of Turn thirty-eight:
Total Strength:
USA: 40,420 (+1,594)
CSA: 38,686 (+187)
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Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 3,836 (+220)
CSA: 4,193 (+313)
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Artillery Losses:
USA: 3
CSA: 13
Right: The overhead map of the battlefield.
editor's note:
I’ll be honest. A golden opportunity was missed a few turns ago when Mallory failed to attack a number of very vulnerable hexes over-stacked with cannons along Reich Ridge. A bold attack Mallory would have likely captured an additional dozen or more artillery pieces and driven the Confederates from the top of Reich Ridge. But no large-scale attack came.
But opportunity has knocked twice for General Mallory.
As you can see in the map below Swanson has, once more, left two large stacks of guns (totaling eight pieces) protected by 270 total men in two hexes. Within charging distance are over 2,000 Federal troops in good order – all fresh units. These Rebel stacks can very easily be overran, the guns destroyed, and the enemy driven from Reich Ridge. I playtested the proposed charge twice and in both instances had no problems executing the move.
Here is fate giving the Yankees a second chance at a glorious opportunity to totally disrupt the Confederate position, capture eight pieces, take some trenches, and be atop Reich Ridge for a full view of what lays beyond. Will the Federals charge?
On the flip side of this is the mystery of Swanson’s dispositions. I am at a loss to explain them. He is too wily a veteran to so lightly protect his artillery and yet this is twice in an hour he has left numerous guns protected by a skeleton force in a position of critical importance. What is going on here? He has numerous regiments he could use to reinforce these hexes to respectable strength. Usually front line hexes with artillery should have 400 or more men to discourage an enemy attack. If you want the enemy to attack, which you sometimes do, then you may bait the enemy with weaker hexes to try and suck them into a trap. But I have never seen a trap baited with so many guns before. And is it a trap? I can’t see that it is. I am baffled.
Above: The Confederates are weakly holding two key hexes with a skeleton force against the growing number of Federals west of Monocacy River.
Turn Thirty-Nine
11:20 AM, September 6, Rain (Visibility: 10 Hexes)
Union:
Union Moves:
No Union attack this turn. Instead just continued fire combat atop Reich Ridge. No other major movements except the continued arrival of I Corps.
Mallory continues to chip away at the Confederate lines with his artillery and took out another Rebel gun on Reich Ridge this turn. Writing to Brogden he said, “we took down almost twice as many of them as they took of our men. At the Toll Gate, the small arms fire is fierce. Our units seem to be larger than theirs so our 'punch' is at least as strong as theirs.”
Confederate:
Even before the beginning of the turn Hively had to communicate to Swanson his surprise that the Federals continued their cautious approach, “Looks like you are right on them not hitting the Toll Bridge hard enough to penetrate your defense.” Realizing the lack of Yankee aggression Swanson replied aggressively that, “I am still hopeful that an opportunity will soon arise where I can isolate all their units on our side of the river. If that can be achieved in the next four or five moves I will massacre every last one of them.”
Confederate Moves
Continued fighting along Reich Ridge occurred. The Stonewall Brigade has begun to abandon Crums Ford in anticipation of the arrival of additional men from Hill’s Division.
End of Turn Thirty-nine:
Total Strength:
USA: 42,229 (+1,809)
CSA: 38,406 (-280)
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Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 4,027 (+191)
CSA: 4,448 (+255)
​
Artillery Losses:
USA: 3
CSA: 14
Right: The two sides remain in close combat on the southern part of Reich Ridge. The I Corps is now arriving in greater numbers from the southeast.
editor's note:
Still no attack. Another golden opportunity squandered. Even a minimal attack would have driven off two Confederate regiments from Reich Ridge and captured eight pieces of artillery with almost no possibility of failure in the melees. The Confederates continue to be given the greatest gift possible of time. With less than two hours until the arrival of Anderson’s large division the moment to attack has already come and gone. By 4 PM 8,000 men of Anderson’s Division will be strongly reinforcing Confederate positions along the river making it that much harder for any successful attack to be launched. All we can do is keep waiting to see what happens.
Turn Forty
11:40 AM, September 6, Rain (Visibility: 10 Hexes)
Union:
Union Moves:
Col Samuel Carroll was killed in the fighting along Reich Ridge but the Federals remained in place and have not routed. Fighting has continued at Reich Ridge where another Confederate gun was disabled by Union artillery fire.
With the first division of the I Corps all on the field now the march is on for Crums Ford. Mallory and Brogden continue to plan for a forced crossing of that point with an eye to then turn north and take Reich Ridge from the south. “Reynolds' men should arrive at Crums Ford in two hours (6 turns). By then, I expect the Rebs will have committed their reserves and reinforcements to the Toll Gate fight. If Reynolds can smash his way across, we should have this battle won.”
Confederate:
Confederate Moves:
A counterattack on Reich Ridge by mounted troopers of Jones’ Brigade drove back the Federals from some trenches atop the ridge. Other minor adjustments atop the ridge have strengthened it and will make any sudden attack by the enemy more difficult.
End of Turn forty:
Total Strength:
USA: 43,872 (+1,643)
CSA: 38,083 (-323)
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Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 4,235 (+208)
CSA: 4,746 (+298)
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Artillery Losses:
USA: 3
CSA: 15
Right: Overhead view of the map.
editor's note:
Another turn without major action. I can see Swanson’s troops now growing in number and becoming more assured of their position on the ridge. He is looking for an opportunity to attack the bridge, isolate the units west of it, and capture the whole lot of Yanks. Federal artillery massed east of the river is the only possible way that this can be prevented. The poor weather has limited its visibility but it can still reach Reich Ridge. If Swanson does launch a counterattack I suspect it will either succeed spectacularly or fail badly. It all depends on a few rolls of the die and whether or not those Union guns can turn back the Rebels.
Wait and see.