Day One

Period 1.

The Union commander launches a massive attack on the Confederate left wing, throwing in a whole corps in an attempt to get things over quickly. Unfortunately his build-up to the attack had been spotted in time and the Confederate commander moved troops rapidly from his central reserve, hitting the Union battle line in flank as they moved to engage the rebel left wing. Lucky dice throws saved the Union from total destruction on this part of the field, however they were badly cut -up and fell back to their original positions with their morale severely shaken, which meant that they could not be used on the offensive for the next game period.

Photograph showing the depleted state of the Confederate centre (middle ground)) after moving troops to attack the Union forces on their left (middle distance).

While the Union attack was going in on the Confederate left, a divisionary attack was in progress on their right. Here the Union commander dithered about, making it quite obvious that the main assault was coming elsewhere. With only one Union brigade involved, together with much re-grouping of their support troops by the blue commander, the Confederates were able to send in a spoiling counter attack which soon caused the Federal units to fall back, but not before they had managed loose a complete battery of artillery.

Photograph of (I think) the Union attack on the Reb centre?

Period 2.

After regrouping his much battered and demoralised First corps, the Union commander decided to try his luck against the Confederate centre, which had been depleted by the previous blue attack on their left. This plan looked promising, as with a full corps as yet uncommitted and the grey lines thinned in the centre, a major break through did indeed seem possible. Once again this attack was ruined by faulty troop deployment. Not having learnt anything from the defeat of his First corps, which had advanced with exposed flanks, the Union command repeated this error and the Confederates were quick to take advantage of the situation. Hitting both flanks of the Union attacking formation simultaneously, the whole mass was forced back with very heavy losses, including two whole regiments who surrendered, and three more so badly cut up that they took no further part in the game.

Photograph showing the Union lines looking from their left flank. The attack against the Confederate left wing can be seen in the far-left distance.

Period 3.

This was spent with both sides rearranging their troops and testing the morale of the various units who had been involved in the central action. The Union First corps over on their right had now been reformed and was again ready for action, while their Third corps on the left was forced to send one of its divisions to bolster the much depleted Second corps in the centre. The grey lines were content to re-group, still holding their original positions, and await the next Union blunder.

Period 4.

Having a severe attack of jitters, the Union command did nothing during this period except push a strong line of skirmishes forward to protect their front, fully expecting the Confederates to launch an attack against their weakened centre. This never materialised, as the "Johnny Rebs" were happy to let the blue masses batter themselves against their line as they had been doing thus far at great cost.

End of Day One.