Turn Fifty-one
3:20 PM, September 6, Rain (Visibility: 10 Hexes)
Union:
Editor’s Note:
Hancock the Superb! The II Corps has held on again! Despite some routs the II Corps is still in fighting shape. But Mallory will need some luck during this turn, along with some timely Rebel routs, if he hopes to make it past the Rebel part of the turn without being isolated. The Union line remains anchored on three crucial hexes with trenches filled with men from the Irish Brigade and Harrow’s Brigade. Using the Rebels own defensive works against them has probably saved the II Corps so far. But can they keep holding on?
Union Movements:
The Federals opened up with all the artillery they could on the attacking Rebels around Toll Gate Bridge. Despite a rapidly decreasing stockpile of shells it was time to use them or risk watching the entire II Corps collapse. “We're getting very low on artillery ammo,” Mallory wrote Brogden. “But if I can break the Rebs' line around the Toll Gate - which I think is entirely possible - and you can get the rest of I Corps across the river, we just may have the Secesh on the run.” Over 100 rounds were fired at the Confederates at Reich Ridge and Toll Gate Bridge. Federal infantry and cavalry units rushed to the fill gaps and add their own offensive fire against the Rebels hoping to cause routs and disruptions.
At Crums Ford the remainder of Wadsworth’s Division crossed and the leading brigade of Robinson’s Division is now at the ford. Counterattacks against Archer have driven two of his regiments back while the Iron Brigade is spreading out to expand the bridgehead.
At Monocacy Junction the III Corps, or rather two divisions of it, are rapidly massing and moving directly against the defenses there. Numerous units are now in line and firing over the river while others are massing behind them for a rush on the fords. At Worthington’s Ford, just south of Monocacy Junction, the diversionary attack has been called off after enjoying little success. Confederate defenses there are solid and there was little to be gained by continuing the demonstration.
Confederate:
Editor’s Note:
In a shocking breakdown of discipline, unlike anything I have seen with the Rebel army, there were 23 units routed out of a possible 66 checked! The end has come for Swanson’s hopes of capturing the II Corps. Hancock has absolutely routed Ewell’s Corps from the field. At Monocacy Junction, Crums Ford, and Reich Ridge, the Confederates have fled rearward in massed panic. But most critically the attack on Toll Gate Bridge has collapsed. Nearly a third of the units pressing to reach the bridge were routed and the remaining ones are all disrupted. Along Reich Ridge numerous units were routed and gaps now exist all along the Confederate lines. I know Swanson to be an offensive player and I have never actually seen him halt an attack before and switch to the defensive, but I can’t see that he has any choice now. Confederate losses will soon climb over 13,000 and Ewell’s Corps (Swanson’s) has been wrecked and can only field just over 10,000 exhausted men. With no hope of taking the bridge Swanson must fall back now. The Rebels need to regroup on Reich Ridge or beyond it and try to hold on until nightfall. They must know the II Corps is equally as used up and no longer an offensive threat. There is nothing that can be gained by attacking any longer and Swanson can not spare any more men in banzai attacks destined to be cut to pieces by massed enemy guns. Ewell’s final division is on the way to the field of battle and will arrive at dawn tomorrow. If the Rebels can regroup and hold Reich Ridge then it is feasible that Rodes’ Division may arrive and, together with the rested remnants of the rest of the corps, continue the battle on the morrow.
Hively spoke first in addressing the suddenly dire situation. “Tough turn for us, many routed...” was all he could say. “Yes, a mass rout,” Swanson replied. “Our boys are very fatigued but the enemy is as well. I have good command and control there so we should return to the line soon. There's a lot of routed Yankees in the valley and many more are disrupted and must have high fatigue.” Swanson and Hively also suspect that the III Corps may no longer be opposite Hope Bridge. Swanson wrote, “It looks like Brogden has mostly left Hope Bridge and marched north. The replay would indicate that it is his men now advancing upon Monocacy Junction. If you can confirm that Hope Bridge is mostly undefended you should consider advancing Heth over the river to attack.”
Confederate Moves:
Moving first Hively has continued to maneuver Brockenbrough’s Brigade away from Hope Bridge and northwards for Monocacy Junction where the situation has grown suddenly alarming. A number of routs at the fords there have caused unexpected holes to open and the last reserve units have moved up to fill them. With no other reserves to call upon Hively has decided to detach Posey’s Brigade of Anderson’s Division to reinforce the area. The rest of Anderson’s men are now going into line and moving for Crums Ford.
Swanson then began his move and, true to his personality, kept up the attack. He did not fall back or give up the assault on Toll Gate Bridge despite not having much of anything left to use against the Federals. The Confederates have called up every unit still able to fire a gun into the front lines and are trying to keep up the pressure on the II Corps.
End of Turn fifty-one:
Total Strength:
USA: 47,887 (-517)
CSA: 38,027 (-813)
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Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 11,346 (+517)
CSA: 12,793 (+813)
​
Artillery Losses:
USA: 13
CSA: 33
Right: The battle continues at many places.
Why in the world is Swanson attacking atfer all the routs?! There is always a point where further attacks become more detrimental than beneficial, and that point has been reached and passed. Swanson is correct that his men will rally, eventually, but having lost 23 routed units in one turn it should be a very clear sign that your men are no longer able to move offensively. Swanson needed to fall back here. Instead, he has left his men in the open fields beneath the Union guns for another turn. Those units still able to remain in the field will take heavy losses during the Union’s next turn and will be routed rearwards. Swanson simply will be unable to keep up enough pressure and find enough undisrupted units to take Toll Gate Bridge. He got within a single hex of achieving his goal. Coming that close and not attaining it is very hard. As an observer it is easy for me to criticize and question why he is attacking. But on another level, l totally understand. He is so close he can feel it. Just one more push, right? For his sake I hope so. But it would take a total collapse of the II Corps, or a mental error by Mallory, for that to happen now. Neither is likely.
An interesting twist of events, similar to that on Reich Ridge, has occurred at Crums Ford. The Union regiments have overrun and captured an important stretch of trenches guarding the ford itself. Undoubtedly the Confederates will want to cut off the Federals from the ford and isolate all the I Corps units across the river in one brilliant move (much as Swanson is attempting at Toll Gate Bridge). The former Confederate trenches are now filled with Yankees who are firing from within a wooded hex. This makes them very tough to even hit and they will be extremely difficult to dislodge by frontal attacks. Another large fight is brewing at Crums Ford.
The comments about Heth’s Division between Swanson and Hively are intriguing. In a perfect situation Heth’s Division would charge across the river, dislodge the single brigade left to defend it by the III Corps, and move on the Federal flank at Monocacy Junction. Such a move would cause a giant disruption to Union plans and force them to fight on multiple fronts. But Heth’s Division is short two of its brigades (Archer and Brockenbrough) which have been sent northward. The three large remaining brigades though could still cause a lot of problems for the Federals should they get across. This bears watching.
editor's note:
Turn Fifty-two
3:40 PM, September 6, Rain (Visibility: 10 Hexes)
Union:
Editor’s Note:
As predicted the Confederate attack on Toll Gate Bridge did little to disturb the Federals this past turn. Most of the II Corps has regrouped and are returning to the front lines in large numbers. No routs occurred for the II Corps this turn and their lines should be strengthened at numerous places. I sense another rough turn for the surviving members of Swanson’s flanking units near Toll Gate Bridge.
Mallory was noticeably relieved as a result of the Confederate routs. He wrote that it was, “another good turn for us.” He began to realize that the casualty limit objective to win might be more attainable than gaining two flag objectives on the map. “They currently have taken 12,793 casualties. If we can keep this up, their army will 'rout' and we will win by default - even if we don't take a single geographic objective. I expect they know this, but WE won't say anything to them about it.” Brogden also began to realize that the fight at Crums Ford was expanding faster than anticipated. It is a “tough push around Crums Ford. My 1st Corps needs room to move sufficient forces across faster without jamming up.”
Union Movements:
The fighting at Monocacy Junction has increased in intensity as the III Corps units have been ordered forward to engage the Confederate defenders across the river. Most of Humphreys and deTrobriand’s divisions are now engaged at the crossings and probing for weaknesses or opportunities to cross. At Toll Gate Bridge the II Corps has regained their footing and are starting to retake lost ground. Two melee assaults were won and the Rebels have been pushed back an extra important single hex away from the bridge.
For the first time in a number of hours I believe Mallory is relaxed. He wrote to Brogden that, “Things are better at the Toll Gate. Most of Hancock's routed regiments rallied, so we're in better shape there than we have been for the past hour or so. Hancock's men gave much better than they took, including taking out a couple more Secesh officers. The history books may start calling Hancock "The Rock of Monocacy"! I think it has a nice ring to it.”
Above: The situation at Monocacy Junction favors the Federals for the time being. A rapid push across the fords here would likely throw back the outnumbered defenders and open another front west of the river.
Confederate:
Swanson has, at long last, given up the attack on Toll Gate Bridge. The Rebels have fallen back from the bridge and are now regrouping around Reich Ridge. Numerous additional routs and the lack of any undisrupted units to continue the attack with were the main reasons that it could no longer be carried forward. Fighting has continued along Reich Ridge between the two forces but at the moment the area around Toll Gate Bridge has quieted.
At Crums Ford counterattacks have failed to dislodge the I Corps units from their positions around the ford. Nonetheless the men of Anderson’s Division, minus Posey’s detached brigade, are all arriving at the scene. Their four brigades, along with the remnants of Scales, Archer, and Lane, are all that can be rallied to resist the I Corps.
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Back to the east across the Monocacy River the last remaining band of Rebel scouts have, at long last, contributed to the Confederate cause. Scouting the roads behind the Federal lines they have stumbled across three Union Supply Wagons recently arrived. These wagons are completely defenseless and there are no nearby friendly units to save them. These wagons are all easy prey for the Rebel raiders.
Above: The fighting at Crums Ford has escalated quickly as Anderson's Division has arrived.
End of Turn fifty-two:
Total Strength:
USA: 47,224 (-663)
CSA: 37,131 (-896)
​
Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 11,984 (+638)
CSA: 13,689 (+896)
​
Artillery Losses:
USA: 14
CSA: 33
Right: Action at Crums Ford and Monocacy Junction has become heavier as fighting at Toll Gate has petered out.
editor's note:
The Confederates have finally realized that the attack on Toll Gate Bridge was not going to succeed and called it off. They really gave it a great shot and came very close to isolating all of the II Corps but Mallory’s brilliant use of command and control, along with the Union artillery, saved the day. The Confederate attack was never strong enough though. Swanson brought the forces he could against the Union right flank but he needed at least one good fresh brigade to reinforce them. Earlier in the battle Hively had offered to send additional units to Reich Ridge but Swanson declined. He believed, and he has been right so far, that he could hold Reich Ridge with just his two divisions. But while he could defend against a Union corps defensively with two divisions he could not attack one on unfavorable ground with just two divisions. For this he badly needed help from Hively’s forces to assist him. For most of the day Hively’s division under Heth has sat unengaged at Hope Bridge. Had either Davis’s or Pettigrew’s large brigades been detached and sent north when the Federals first crossed Toll Gate Bridge they could have reached Reich Ridge by 3 PM in time for the climatic moments of the fighting there. Just one large fresh brigade would likely have saved the day for the Confederates.
But, that’s over now. What’s next? I do think Swanson and Hively need to discuss this but they are not. Their plan seems to still be to fight the Yanks everywhere they can and to throw them back across the river. But that is not working any longer.
What would I do? (see map below)
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The Yanks are not being pushed back over the creek. If I were the Rebels I would begin to disengage at Reich Ridge and try to move south, while I still could, to reach Monocacy Junction and a link up with Anderson and AP Hill. I would move now and try to be in place by nightfall in the hope that my men might somehow be in fighting shape again for day three. I would abandon the objective hex in Frederick City and let the Yanks march right up to it and take it. And then I would play defensively on day three. I would concede the victory and play for the Draw by holding both Monocacy Junction and Buckeystown.
I am lying. I would just want the Yanks to think that.
I would hold Rodes’s Division from entering the map as long as possible. I would let the Yanks engage my forces at Monocacy Junction with their backs to the north and their army comfortable in the mistaken belief that Frederick City is now well behind the lines and quiet. As a double-blind game the Yanks have no inkling that there are reinforcements heading to the city from the northwest. Then I would bring on Rodes’s 9,000 fresh troops when the Yanks were convinced all was quiet there. I would retake Frederick City and the objective flag. Then I would either move to attack the Federal rear and flank or let them come to me in Frederick to fight an urban battle. If I could hold out at Monocacy Junction and Frederick City I might still win the battle.
The other option, and the one they are currently pursuing, is to fight everywhere all the time. And the casualties are mounting very quickly as a result. They need to disengage and try a different approach. This one is bleeding them to death.
Turn Fifty-three
4:00 PM, September 6, Rain (Visibility: 10 Hexes)
Union:
Union Movements:
Heavy fighting at Crums Ford has continued as more of Robinson’s division has crossed to join the fighting. The Federals have formed a defensive wall in the woods southwest of the crossing and are resisting all Confederate attempts to break through it and isolate the I Corps. On the II Corps front the Federals have continued to counterattack at Toll Gate Bridge to the north against the depleted and weary survivors of the attack there. Two units of the Texas Brigade were driven from the field and another two valuable hexes were retaken. The bridge is now wholly secure as the Confederates are back to their original lines they attacked from nearly three hours earlier.
At Hope Bridge the enemy’s 26th North Carolina had advanced to scout the crossing there and has come up against the New Yorkers of the Excelsior Brigade. The Federals are weak here but are hoping to bluff the Confederates into continued inactivity in the south. Behind the Union lines the two supply wagons left after the enemy scouts captured the other have fled the scene. They will attempt to hide if possible in the woods.
Mallory wrote to Brogden that he suspected a full division of Rebels moving on the I Corps. But he did point out the Confederates at Reich Ridge were unsupported and were starting to falter. To the south, he wrote, the Rebels appear to be “moving up to engage a couple of those Excelsior regiments. I expect the Rebs were just 'testing the water', so to speak at Hope Bridge. Now that they've discovered the crossing is protected by "B" quality men, backed up with artillery, I doubt if they'll venture across.” Interestingly, Mallory also broached the subject of the II Corps voluntarily falling back east of the river after their struggle for survival west of it. He believed his men were worn down and required rest and reorganization after their prolonged fighting. While not committing to falling back he has left the door open to do so.
Confederate:
Confederate Moves:
The Rebels have struck back hard at Crums Ford. Charging forward with Wright’s Brigade they meleed units of the I Corps successfully and drove in their lines towards Crums Ford. Mahone’s Brigade is soon to arrive followed by the small Florida Brigade as the last of the fresh Confederate arrivals. At Monocacy Junction a few routs were dealt with and Posey’s detached brigade from Anderson’s Division is headed to reinforce the crossings there. At Reich Ridge the Confederates have all fallen back behind the ridge once more as Ewell’s Corps has been reduced to less than 9,500 men in ten brigades.
At Hope Bridge Hively has advanced with all of Heth’s remaining three brigades to the edge of the river. Finding only one hex occupied by the enemy blocking the bridge he has engaged them in fire combat as he contemplates an assault east across the bridge. Behind enemy lines another Union wagon was overran by the Confederate scouts. The third Union wagon will surely fall as well giving the Confederates quite a victory in destroying enemy wagons.
Hively wrote to Swanson that, “My plan for this turn is that I am moving Heth's men around Hope Bridge up to the creek, mostly to see if the Yanks will show their strength in the area. If they seem weak I might try to cross and rescue the supply wagons we captured.” Swanson urged caution at Hope Bridge though, remarking that “I think they still have quite a few units there. Brogden is a sneaky one. I can never be exactly sure what he's up to.” Hively replied that he had hoped most of the Federals at Hope Bridge had shifted north but was unsure still.
End of Turn fifty-three:
Total Strength:
USA: 46,728 (-496)
CSA: 36,610 (-521)
​
Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 12,480 (+496)
CSA: 14,210 (+521)
​
Artillery Losses:
USA: 14
CSA: 33
Right: Combat breaks out to the south at Hope Bridge while the last Confederate reinforcements strike at Crums Ford
editor's note:
I am fairly surprised that Mallory would even consider falling back with the II Corps. It is true that he has no idea what is on the other side of Reich Ridge still. It could be a fresh Confederate division. But given the recent repulse of Ewell’s Corps he must know the enemy there is weaker than his own force by this point.
Falling back is a very controversial move. It warrants examination.
By doing so he wholly protects the remaining 10,000 men of the II Corps and begins the process of reforming them and resting them throughout the coming night. This will pay dividends on the morrow by adding their rested force to the coming troops of the VI Corps on the battlefield.
On the other hand, if he falls back he will allow the enemy a full 15 hours of respite to begin their trench building efforts, rest, reorganize, and possibly reposition themselves. With the exhaustion of Federal artillery ammunition it will be very difficult to force their way back across Toll Gate Bridge a second time using anything except sheer weight of infantry numbers moving up Reich Ridge. Having a hold on the area west of the river allows the VI Corps reinforcements to cross safely and form up closer to the enemy rather than having to force a crossing under enemy guns.
There really is no good option here. I want to say that I would hold west of the river but I really can’t say that. I don’t know what I would do. Damned if you do and damned if you don’t.
Turn Fifty-four
4:20 PM, September 6, Rain (Visibility: 10 Hexes)
Union:
Union Movements:
The II Corps has taken a retrograde movement towards Toll Gate Bridge. To their left the I Corps has also slowed their attack and are now, so it seems from above, starting to lose their momentum. Heavy fighting continues at Crums Ford but a gap in the Union lines has critically weakened their position. At Monocacy Junction the bulk of the III Corps has continued to skirmish with the Rebels across the river guarding the crossings.
Mallory concentrated on the casualty count this turn: “We can lose a total of 26,950 men and troopers before our army collapses and we lose by default. So far we have only lost 12,419, which means we are less than halfway to losing the battle due to casualties. We can take 14,430 more without losing the battle. The Rebs, on the other hand, are much worse off in this regard than we are. Assuming the maximum size of their army at 60,000 (the high end of the estimates our intelligence has determined), they can only afford to lose 21,000. They have already lost 14,371. If they lose 6,629 more men, we will win by default. From here on, we can afford to lose nearly two men for every man the Rebs lose and still come out the victors. And we have half the battle remaining.”
Editor’s Note:
I am not sure what just happened here. Things have suddenly started looking bad for the Yanks – very quickly. I am legitimately surprised by the past two turns. The Rebs were defeated and on the run but a number of unfortunate or ill-advised Union moves have suddenly changed everything. Brogden inadvertently, of course, has left 2,200 of his men (including all of the Iron Brigade), with a gap in their lines where they may be isolated by a Confederate move next turn. This could cause the collapse of the Crums Ford breakthrough and really damage the offensive future of the I Corps. Things are about to get really serious.
How did this happen? In order to expand his bridgehead Brogden spread out to the right flank towards the II Corps. As the II Corps has fallen back and the fighting there stabilized Swanson has been able to sneak just enough units away from his front to plug the gap east of the I Corps. Hively’s men have just enough strength to block the I Corps and, in theory, it should have devolved into a prolonged firefight in the style of what happened at Toll Gate Bridge. But that unfortunate gap in the lines was created and not filled during this turn. The Confederates will see it and pounce at once. It will likely cost the Federals very dearly as they stand to lose all the gains they have made west of Crums Ford in just a turn or two.
Above: The red circle indicates the exposed Federal units pinned back against the river. If these men are captured the Federals will be back where they started from at Crums Ford.
Confederate:
Confederate Moves:
As expected the Rebels counterattacked strongly at Crums Ford this turn to isolate the Federals. The remaining Confederate cavalry, and spare units from Ewell’s Corps, have helped pin the Federals back against the Monocacy as Anderson’s Division has hit them directly on their flank. Brig. Gen. Lysander Cutler, leading one of the Union’s brigades, was wounded by the Confederate fire at Crums Ford. Nonetheless the Confederates will now have thousands of isolated Federals to try and capture during their next move.
The Confederate scouting unit, who has already captured two supply trains, made a wrong move this turn and ran directly into the Union cavalry rushing to the scene. Despite their destruction they did manage to severely damage the Union’s supply wagons which may effect things greatly the longer the game goes.
The Rebels can sense a sudden change in momentum. Hively wrote that, “I think our situation is looking better. We might be able to trap that Yankee fragment near Crums. If we can isolate them, and destroy them, that would be a nice gain for us.” Swanson agreed fully. He wrote back that, “They will go into isolation next turn and they will have to take a major risk if they want to try and extract them. Once they're isolated you'll remove them with ease - it's most of the Iron Brigade, good ones to get.” Swanson continued to write in the same optimistic air as Hively. “Most of my men are now back in position behind Reich Ridge. It'll be very difficult for him to mount any attack even though I'm greatly weakened, he's also greatly weakened and fatigued and if they try to come over the ridges they'll be blasted with artillery. I'm starting to feel safer there now with only seven turns to dusk, I think time is fast running out for them to break me. My other division arrives in the morning and will be fresh.”
End of Turn fifty-four:
Total Strength:
USA: 46,321 (-407)
CSA: 36,215 (-395)
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Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 12,887 (+407)
CSA: 14,605 (+395)
​
Artillery Losses:
USA: 14
CSA: 33
Right: Confederate counterattacks have isolated part of I Corps back against the river.
editor's note:
Really… what just happened? I am dumbfounded. This battle just flipped in the last hour. As mentioned before the sudden quiet along Reich Ridge has really relieved the pressure on Ewell’s Corps. So much so that they were able to concentrate on Reynolds’s I Corps which was now fighting forward alone west of the river. Reynolds had worked his right flank towards the II Corps but had overextended himself in the process. With his back to the river and the line of supply back to the river very vulnerable it was extremely risky. Unfortunately, for the Yanks, they have been caught. They still have a chance to try and counterattack to release the isolation after the next turn but, no matter what, the Rebels will have one offensive turn next with a dozen weakened and isolated Union units with their backs to the river.
What will the Yankees do? Do they cut their losses and try to fall back east of the river or do they keep trying to battle it out? Let’s see.
Above: The overhead map at the end of the turn.
Turn Fifty-five
4:40 PM, September 6, Rain (Visibility: 10 Hexes)
Union:
Editor's Note:
As noted earlier there are now twelve isolated Union regiments north of Crums Ford. The Federals should be able to break the stranglehold on these units during their turn but the subsequent Confederate turn will still occur with these units in a vulnerable state. Surprisingly neither Mallory or Brogden has commented much on the situation. Either they are unconcerned or feel it is just a minor setback. But it just could be the turning point in the fighting the Confederates have hoped for all day.
Union Movements:
The Federals of the II Corps have not continued their movements back over the Toll Gate Bridge. Instead, Mallory has began to fortify west of the river in order to hold the ground he had fought for during much of the day. On Brogden’s front the situation is very active. With a large part of the I Corps now isolated he has counterattacked where he was able to and has successfully filled the gap which caused his units to be isolated. This will remove their isolated status at the beginning of the next turn unless the Confederates can again break through and keep them separated. Regardless, the Federals will spend at least one Confederate turn in isolation status which cuts their ability to resist a melee to ¼ strength. The III Corps has continued to pressure the Rebels at Monocacy Junction while in the south the Excelsior Brigade is resisting a Confederate push on Hope Bridge. The Federal cavalry has arrived to counterattack the Confederate raiders who have captured two supply wagons and have wiped them out. Although 450 supply points were lost in total, it could have been worse.
Confederate:
Editor’s Note:
The Union turn did little to disrupt Confederate plans or units. Only one rout occurred, and they stand poised to smash through the I Corps units who are isolated.
Confederate Movements:
A Confederate wave swept over the battlefield during this turn. Heavy fighting around Crums Ford dominated the move as units from Anderson’s Division have continued to drive against the I Corps units clinging to their hold west of the river. The isolated units were hit particularly hard as two different melee attacks drove them back. The 76th New York, 3rd U.S., and 6th Wisconsin were all captured in the fighting. By the end of the move though the Union line held enough to un-isolate themselves during their next turn. Nonetheless, the Confederates struck hard and are likely anticipating mass Union routs during the next turn.
End of Turn fifty-five:
Total Strength:
USA: 45,285 (-1,036)
CSA: 35,634 (-581)
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Total Casualties (infantry + cavalry):
USA: 13,923 (+1,036)
CSA: 15,186 (+581)
​
Artillery Losses:
USA: 14
CSA: 33
Right: The I Corps breaks the isolation on it from around Crums Ford
editor's note:
The momentum of battle… wow… how fickle! The momentum has wholly shifted. The counterattack by Anderson’s Division has halted the I Corps. What happened? The answer is “speed.” Crums Ford was fortified by a Confederate trench along the western side of the river. Because each Union unit which crossed was automatically disrupted by entering that hex it brutally slowed the crossing of Federal units. With each turn the bottleneck grew greater and the Confederates rushed to the scene to seal the breakthrough. The Federals were unable to rush enough men across early in the action to contest the rapidly increasing Confederate numbers opposite them. Also, the Federal attempt to expand their breakthrough too quickly ended up costing them as the Confederates have managed to isolate and capture some of them already.
With another melee victory or two in the right hexes the Rebels might cause the isolation and destruction of other Federal units which may cost them as many as 5,000 men altogether. With two hours remaining until dusk the Federals need to regroup and rest for the final showdown tomorrow. The question now is how much of the I Corps will survive until nightfall?