Battle of Charles City - Conclusion

 

Following orders, Kemper (Longstreet) carries out a passage of lines with Field (A P Hill) but it doesn't go well - Kemper's men break and Field goes to Low Morale!

As Ewell's divison steamroller forward, Trimble's veterans find themselves right on the flank of Taylor's brigade.

But at the same time R Anderson's men (Longstreet) break and join something of an exodus of Rebs from Charles City.

Back with Trimble though things are going to plan for the Confederates.

Meanwhile Hooker's division is finally in motion and deploying to check Jackson's attack.

Jackson is in position at the Quaker Meeting House, his artillery are pouring a galling fire on the Union line.

To the north of the town Smith is finally receiving orders to pull his exhausted division back to be relieved by Morrell.

Turn 7 and Jackson's men launch a devastating charge against Hooker's line simultaneously breaking Sickles and Grover.

While Trimble takes out a second brigade that of Berry (Kearney). The Union DEM level now stands at 5.

D H Hill, seeing the stampede from Charles City has ordered up the brigades of Colquitt and Rodes to plug the gap in the Confederate line.

View of the table from the Confederate side at the end of turn 7.

And from the Union side.

Plucky Trimble tries his luck for a third time but his brigade melts away under the withering fire of the Union rifles.

However, Fulker assaults Carr and it's all over - Union DEM of 6 is reached so the Rebs win 6-2.

Jackson's bold surprise attack has been completely successful.

The scene at the end of play - turn 8.

Battle of Charles City - turns 1-4

 

Slocum's division press forward against A P Hill's line and a firefight quickly develops. Crucially though, Slocum does not seem to be supported.

To the north of the town Smith's division square off against Longstreet's men lining the road. Smith's attack seems to have a lot more weight behind it than Slocum's.

The view from the Union side of the table behind Slocum.

Turn 3 and Davidson's brigade becomes the first Union unit to break. Longstreet's men are taking casualties even with the protection provided by the stome wall.

The northerners have moved two gun batteries forward along the Charles City Road to provide close support for Smith's attack. 

The fighting on Church Hill grinds on with both sides taking heavy casualties including to the Confederate artillery. Fortunately for Slocum's boys the Reb artillery dice rolling has so far been below par.

Jackson's corps emerge from MacAlpine Woods with a Rebel Yell!

Looking from behind Slocum's left flank as Jackson's men advance.

You can see here that Slocum's division is taking punishment.

Turn 4 and a flurry of messages arrive at Lee's HQ.

The fighting in the town. The Rebs are taking casualties but have also just seen off one of the Union batteries.

Jackson's men are moving forward rapidly intent on smashing McClellan's flank!

Ewell's division are almost on the end of Slocum's line.

Meanwhile Hooker stands by idly without orders to intervene.

One bright spot, Kearney's division arrives bringing the Union DEM level to 6.

The view from behind the Union right flank at the end of turn 4.

Battle of Charles City

After 18 campaign turns spent manoeuvring across the Virginia Peninsula, Lee and McClellan have finally come face to face at Charles City.

The initial deployments of both sides.

The view from behind the Union front line.

The view from behind the Confederate front line.

Jackson's corps hiding in the woods!

Lee's HQ with D H Hill's division in reserve.

A P Hill's men defending Charles City.

Longstreet's men man the stone wall.

Huger's division on the Confederate left flank.

Slocum's division line Quaker Lane with Hooker's division behind them in support.

McClellan's HQ in the Union centre with the divisions of Smith and Morrell deployed in front.

The Union right flank anchored on River Hill and River Knoll - the divisions of  McCall and Couch.

The troops are deployed and the action will begin shortly.