Introduction

Wargamers often praise a rules system for the “narrative” it provides during play. I assume what they mean is, if we were to describe in detail the course of the game as we played it, the result would sound very much like a historical account. If so, I would agree that the “narrative” is one of the most satisfying aspects of our hobby.

That’s one reason why I’m a fan of Great Battles of the American Civil War. I find the system detailed enough to generate a narrative equal to those I read in battle accounts. Of course, first-person anecdotes are missing, but no grand tactical game is capable of that kind of narrative.

Playtesting “Carroll Burns the Bridge”, one of Death Valley‘s two variant scenarios for the Battle of Cross Keys, provided an opportunity to construct such a narrative and see how it measured up. The after-action report which follows relies solely on GBACW system mechanics.  I describe only what happens in the game, but generally avoid game terminology.

I do take plenty of artistic liberty with the historical personalities involved, even to the extent of supplying invented dialogue. These fanciful interludes serve to indicate the rationale behind  player decisions and offer the reader a change of pace following action descriptions. Also, for the sake of continuity, I tend to follow the action in a given sector throughout a specific turn before turning to another sector. That seemed preferable to slavishly following the activation chits wherever they might lead.

Eagle eyed GBACW players may wonder at my frequent references to “battalions” and half-regiments. Death Valley‘s 1862 games, like Cedar Mountain, provide the player the option of using “breakdown battalions” as an alternative to the use of Extended Line for large regiments. While Death Valley‘s rules for their use are more elaborate than those appearing in Cedar Mountain, anyone who’s played that game or the 1st Bull Run game in Red Badge of Courage will recognize them here.

This article takes us only to the end of the scenario’s 1000 turn. As it lasts another six turns, I anticipate completing the narrative in two more installments, provided, of course, that neither boneheaded nor brilliant play ends the battle sooner.

Prelude:  The North River Bridge

The village of Port Republic, Virginia, lies between the North and South Rivers, just west of where their confluence forms the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. Early on June 8, 1862, Union Colonel Samuel Sprigg Carroll led 150 cavalry and two guns across the South River’s Middle Ford and into town from the east, completely surprising the Confederate rear echelon. The bulk of Jackson’s division was camped north of North River, but he and his staff were quartered in town, and his supply train was a little to the west, but still between the North and South Rivers. The North River Bridge, wooden and covered like many of that era, was the only link between the wagons and the troops they supplied. Jackson himself was in Port Republic and barely escaped  capture.

Carroll had orders to save the bridge. With the rivers swollen from recent rains and all the other bridges across the Shenandoah destroyed, it was the only way his superior officer, General James Shields, could combine with John C. Fremont’s Mountain Department without detouring to some other crossing point far to the north. But here was an opportunity to cut off Jackson’s division from its supply train, a situation Shields could not have anticipated. In any event, Carroll did not burn the bridge, and the Confederate response soon drove him back across South River.

What if he had burned the bridge? Fremont’s army threatened Jackson’s only other practical escape route, the road south toward Staunton and the Virginia Central Railroad.  Jackson would have his entire army in hand, but the Confederates would not be able to resupply any ammunition shortages. These considerations drive the scenario.

0800: The Opposing Forces Deploy

Fremont’s two Union divisions form a line of battle after approaching from the northwest. On the right is Fremont’s own division, a veteran formation that saw action the previous month at the Battle of McDowell. The division includes three infantry brigades, two of them with a cavalry regiment attached, and 26 artillery pieces in five batteries. Louis Blenker’s largely German division is on the left. It, too, comprises three infantry brigades, one of which boasts a sizeable cavalry regiment.  23 guns in five batteries complete its organization. Blenker’s men are relatively new to the Valley, having recently marched across northern Virginia to reinforce Fremont. Poor logistical planning bedeviled the march, leaving them only two options — forage off the local population or go hungry. They chose to forage. The experience did nothing for their morale, but did plenty to incite southern resentment.

The Confederates have only the four infantry brigades of Major General Richard Ewell’s division and Colonel Thomas Munford’s cavalry brigade on the field, but Jackson’s division will begin arriving from the Port Republic area at 1000.

With Fremont’s intentions still a mystery, Ewell orders Munford to screen the Confederate right flank on both sides of Conger’s Creek.  Isaac Trimble’s brigade, deployed east of the Port Republic Road, carries smoothbore muskets ineffective beyond 100 yards or so. It has crossed Mill Creek east of the Beahm homestead and formed a line in the woods so as to nullify the advantage the Yankees’ longer range rifles give them.

In the center, west of the Port Republic Road, is Ewell’s artillery.  The 28 guns comprise seven batteries. Half the guns are Mexican War vintage 6-lb. cannon and 12-lb. howitzers; the other fourteen are modern:  two Napoleons and 12 rifled pieces. Five of the batteries are Ewell’s and sit atop Mill Creek’s steep south bank, some 80 feet above the creekbed. They enjoy an unobstructed view of the ground to the north.  The other two batteries are on loan from Jackson. Ewell has placed them behind his Mill Creek Line. Arnold Elzey’s brigade supports the artillery. On Elzey’s left, George “Maryland” Steuart’s small brigade has deployed in the woods near the Rodeheffer Farm and serves as a link to Richard Taylor’s Louisiana brigade on Ewell’s left.

The Louisianans, Ewell’s shock troops, are still basking in the afterglow of their victory at Winchester two weeks earlier. They, too, carry smoothbore muskets, but as a proven brigade and Ewell’s largest, they’ve drawn what could be the toughest assignment:  covering the Valley Army’s retreat route down the Keezletown Road toward the distant supply depots on the Virginia Central Railroad. If Fremont learns that Jackson has no other way south, he is sure to mass on his right, attempt to cut the Rebs off, and then corral them against the swollen North River.

Dick Taylor examines the ground around him and to the north. It’s gently rolling but, unfortunately, wide open. Making a stand on such ground will not work. There are too many Yankees this time, and too many armed with rifled muskets. Taylor has another option. If he can quickly close with Fremont, his troops can fight on equal or even better terms. And if the Confederates can sufficiently batter the Yankees, Jackson’s retreat will be all the easier. He sends word to Ewell, a mile away, requesting permission to advance. The courier soon returns and conveys Ewell’s verbal reply. “General Ewell sends his compliments. He orders you to develop the Yankees and, if practicable, drive them back. He has no supports to send us and cautions you against risking the brigade.” Taylor is satisfied. The order gives him the flexibility he wants. He notifies the commanders of the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th Louisiana regiments and the 1st Louisiana Battalion. In minutes the brigade is probing forward through bright morning sunlight toward Cross Keys.

0900: near Cross Keys

Cross Keys sits atop high ground north of Mill Creek. After crossing the creek the 8th and 9th Louisiana pause in their ascent, while scouts continue to the crest for a look around. What they see freezes their blood:  Fremont’s artillery is atop the next ridge beyond the hamlet, with infantry in the swale between the two ridges. Yes, this will not be like Winchester. Meanwhile, Taylor brings the 6th and 7th Louisiana up from the shelter of the woods east of Keezletown Road, and “Maryland” Steuart’s brigade moves forward in support, stopping in 6th Louisiana’s right rear.

Colonel Gustave Clusaret commands Fremont’s “Advance Brigade”, which is indeed leading the way for the rest of the division.  Clusaret spots the Rebel scouts and briefly considers pursuit, but knows not what lies beyond the next ridge. With Robert Milroy’s and Robert Schenk’s brigades advancing but still strung out to the rear, he decides against a rash move. He pulls back to support the guns as Milroy and Schenck come up on his left.

0900:  Along Port Republic Road

While Ewell’s right wing marks time, Blenker sends his brigades forward. The 400 cavalry of 4th New York, attached to Henry Bohlen’s brigade, give chase to Munford, who at this point has managed to gather only half that number. Bohlen’s 54th New York follows behind the mounted troops to provide enough firepower to deter any aggressive ideas Munford may entertain. The deterrent is effective, and Munford falls back along the roads east and west of Conger Creek.

Blenker’s artillery has unlimbered north of the Armentrout farm. Seeking to aid Fremont’s advance, eight of its 14 rifled pieces open a furious bombardment against the left of the Mill Creek position, held by Ewell’s Baltimore Battery. The four Parrott guns of Battery I, 1st New York, attached to Bohlen’s brigade, deplete the solid shot in their limbers but catch the opposition unprepared, throwing it into confusion. Battery C, West Virginia, also with four Parrotts, directs a similarly lavish fire at Baltimore, knocking out a 3-inch ordnance rifle. The rest of Blenker’s guns inch closer to the Mill Creek line, the infantry of all three brigades keeping pace.

While the Baltimore battery’s crews pull back to reorganize, Ewell’s four other batteries reply to the Union fire, but are unable to find the range.

Round 2 near Cross Keys

Meanwhile, the aggressive Milroy unleashes his attack. His brigade includes the 25th Ohio, the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th West Virginia, and the 1st West Virginia Cavalry. He appeals for support from Clusaret on his right and Schenck on his left. Schenck responds, sending his entire brigade, the 32nd, 55th, 73rd, 75th, and 82nd Ohio regiments plus the 1st Connecticut Cavalry, through the woodlot east of Cross Keys. But Clusaret fails to stir; supporting the guns is apparently more important than supporting the attack. Ironically, those guns are assigned to Milroy and Schenck and move forward to cover the attack’s right flank, leaving Clusaret’s men in the rear.

Milroy’s 25th Ohio emerges from the more northerly woodlot, firing on part of 6th Louisiana from about 200 yards away. The Louisianans have just crossed a gully and are at the north edge of the woods sprawling along both banks of Mill Creek. The cover serves them well. As northern minnie balls slap into the tree trunks, the southerners respond despite their smoothbores’ limited range. They manage to throw the Ohioans into confusion, but find themselves low on ammunition by the firefight’s end. This is Jackson’s great dilemma:  with his supply train on the other side of North River, his troops cannot remedy such shortages.

Milroy’s men seek to exploit their range advantage. Both battalions of the 2nd West Virginia move south of Union Church and take 8th Louisiana’s left under fire. The Rebs manage to disorder their opponents’ own left, but the firefight ends with 100 Louisianans out of action and the rest falling back past the Webb farm.

Dick Taylor rides up to rally the 8th Louisiana’s battered left battalion. His fighting blood is up. Milroy’s men are still off balance, and he’d like nothing better than to punish them for their impudence. But scouts have reported Yankee artillery in motion behind its sheltering ridge. In his frustration Taylor slams a fist into the open palm of his other hand. An attack will require some thought.

Ewell hears the ruckus on his left. He must assume the Yankees know their business and are intent upon boxing in Jackson’s army by blocking its retreat route. Relying on the strength of his Mill Creek gun line and on the stalwart Trimble to hold back Blenker, Ewell rides west to more easily control developments on the left, even if it means losing touch with his right wing. Besides, he’s received word that Jackson and his lead brigade are not far down the Port Republic Road. If Blenker attacks, the reinforcements will be perfectly placed to support the right, and Jackson will know what to do.

A courier from Taylor arrives and informs Ewell of developments. Again the bald-headed division leader replies verbally, ordering Taylor to attack if he can do so with profit, but not to risk his troops to concentrated artillery fire. Ewell also sends word to Steuart to support any attack Taylor makes.

John C. Fremont’s field headquarters has set up near the Pirkey farm. Milroy sends him written notice of the attack, faulting Clusaret for failing to support it. Fremont, knowing Milroy can be headstrong and frowning at the uncoordinated effort, orders him to have his men in hand before continuing forward. He also orders both Clusaret and Schenck to come up on Milroy’s flanks and keep the enemy under pressure.

1000:  the fight near Cross Keys continues

Another clash on the western end of the battlefield is inevitable. Taylor beats the Yankees to the punch. His left-wing regiment, the 9th Louisiana, gives Fremont’s artillery a wide berth before moving forward, but his center and right are under no such compulsion. 7th Louisiana advances to the edge of the woods and takes Milroy’s 2nd and 5th West Virginia under fire. Despite the lack of cover the enemy not only holds his ground, but musters sufficient fire to stun the 7th’s left-hand battalion. The men of the 5th West Virginia, however, call frantically for more ammunition.

Half of 6th Louisiana has ammo problems, as well, but with the 25th Ohio of Milroy’s brigade still reeling, Taylor shouts an order to fix bayonets. The battalion charges forward, Taylor at its head. The other half of the 6th keeps pace on the right, emerging into the clearing between the two woodlots. Lurking at the edge of the north woodlot is 75th Ohio of Schenck’s brigade. Musketry blazes and both sides waver, but the 6th has taken the worst of it.

At length Taylor’s left wing joins in. 8th Louisiana’s right-hand battalion advances on the 2nd West Virginia, but it, too, comes out the loser in the ensuing firefight. 9th Louisiana, staying clear of Fremont’s artillery, comes up alongside the 8th but is also unable to dislodge the West Virginians. Finally, though, 8th Louisiana’s mauled left-hand battalion rejoins the fight and drives half the 2nd West Virginia back in disorder.

25th Ohio chooses discretion over valor and manages an orderly retreat before the 6th Louisiana’s rush. The southerners occupy the abandoned ground, wheeling left to face not only the 25th, but the ammo-depleted 5th West Virginia, which is too preoccupied with 7th Louisiana to react.

Following Ewell’s orders, Steuart’s troops go forward. The 58th Virginia fires a withering blast at 75th Ohio. The Buckeyes stand despite losses, but manage only a feeble response. Seeking to assist the 6th Louisiana, the 58th levels its bayonets and assaults. The 75th Ohio’s colonel calls upon his 400 men to stand, but panic ensues and the regiment flees the field, unsettling the next regiment to the left, the 32nd Ohio. As Steuart and the 58th Virginia pursue the fleeing 75th, they encounter the 32nd, which despite its confusion successfully wheels to the right to meet the threat. Steuart orders a halt rather than tangling with the numerically superior enemy, saving face by telling the 58th’s colonel he doesn’t want the regiment outrunning the rest of the brigade.

But 32nd Ohio’s troubles continue. Ewell’s artillery opens fire on it from its Mill Creek position, and the Ohioans have soon had enough. They retreat into the woods, leaving a number of casualties behind. The Confederate gunners deal similarly with elements of 45th New York, part of Julius Stahel’s brigade of Blenker’s division. But three of Ewell’s batteries are now low on ammo and will henceforth have to conserve their fire.

The southern attack has been costly but successful, nearly splitting Fremont’s division into two halves. The question now is whether Taylor and Steuart can exploit their success.

Fremont’s brigadiers, however, are already responding. Milroy’s 25th Ohio, its ranks still disordered, wheels left and fires ineffectively at 6th Louisiana’s left wing. The Louisianans return fire, only to find themselves with empty cartridge boxes afterwards. Milroy sends both the 3rd West Virginia and the dismounted 1st West Virginia Cavalry to seal the gap between his left and Schenk’s troops. The 2nd West Virginia’s forward battalion, threatened in front and flank, attempts to shoot its way out, targeting the right half of 8th Louisiana. The Reb battalion staggers, losing 100 men in the course of the fight, but together with 7th Louisiana’s left half, it lashes the West Virginians with equally effective fire. The Yankees limp back, rejoining the other half of their regiment.

Most of the Union artillery repositions itself behind its protecting ridge and then loads its barrels with canister, but with the 2nd West Virginia no longer in the way, Battery G, 1st West Virginia, now has a clear shot. Its six 6-pound smoothbores wheel and fire on 7th Louisiana’s left, about 600 yards away. Severed branches rain down upon the Louisianans from the treetops, but the bombardment does no serious damage. That leaves 5th West Virginia in a quandary. It is out of ammunition and decides to pull back, faces to the foe.  The move surprises 7th Louisiana’s forward battalion, most of which fires too high. The withdrawal succeeds. Milroy congratulates the men of the 5th for their gallantry and calls for the brigade’s ammo wagon.

Schenck, by contrast, achieves little. Several of his regiments are in position to use their rifles’ range advantage to effect, but the higher ground apparently increased the troops’ tendency to fire too high. Schenck manages to rally the 32nd Ohio, but half the 55th Ohio falls into disorder after exchanging fire with the 52nd Virginia of Steuart’s brigade.

Nevertheless, with Clusaret’s brigade finally backstopping Fremont’s right flank, the Pathfinder feels he has stabilized the situation for the moment. If he knew the extent to which ammunition shortages were plaguing Ewell’s troops, he would breathe a little easier.

1000:  Along and east of Port Republic Road

Sitting his horse on Port Republic Road, Blenker notes the decreased Confederate artillery fire. He advances his entire division. On the left flank Bohlen extends toward Conger’s Creek and makes contact with the detachment keeping an eye on Munford’s cavalry.  Munford feels the increasing pressure and pulls back again, coming more or less abreast of Trimble’s right. When the 75th Pennsylvania’s 400 men crest a rise, bayonets fixed, a battalion of the 2nd Virginia Cavalry skedaddles down the road west of the Creek.  Embarrassed company captains bark orders as they unsuccessfully try to maintain order.

Isaac Trimble keeps watch in the woods east of Port Republic road, but west of the road the scene is busier. The three Confederate batteries low on ammo leave the Mill Creek Line and head for the rear. Ewell will use them in an emergency. The two batteries on loan from Jackson’s division take their place on the front line, while Ewell rallies the Baltimore battery. The weakened line is a concern, no matter how hard the climb up the slope from the creekbed.

Despite his concern, Ewell is giving his left wing priority. His aide and future stepson, Campbell Brown, calls the general’s attention to a dust cloud visible to the rear along the Port Republic Road as it emerges from a woods. It’s John Patton’s 1100 Virginians, the first of Jackson’s brigades to arrive from the Port Republic area. Ewell sends Brown to Patton, directing him to march onward to the left wing, where the sounds of battle have reached a crescendo. Old Bald Head chuckles to himself.  Just a month ago he’d have declared Jackson as crazy as they come, but today he is profoundly relieved.

Still screening the Confederate right flank, Munford decides that staring down the muzzles of the 75th Pennsylvania is ultimately a losing proposition. He pulls his troopers back yet again, although they remain roughly abreast of Trimble’s line. As Munford canters along Conger’s Creek he espies the 2nd Virginia Cavalry battalion that fled the Pennsylvanians’ approach earlier and is now milling about on the road. He turns, makes his way up an easy wooded slope, and rallies the Virginians before sending them to join the brigade line forming further south.

1000: near Cross Keys, round 2

On the Confederate left Steuart finds himself facing stiff odds. He orders his colonels to use their discretion if attacked; no one will find fault if they pull back in the face of overwhelming pressure. The instruction fails to address further movement, and the entire brigade halts it advance, satisfied to pour it into 55th Ohio’s hapless forward battalion. The Buckeyes retreat after taking severe losses.

Taylor has also met heavy resistance. He drops back to rally elements of the 6th Louisiana and is pleased to hear that 7th Louisiana’s previously disordered battalion has straightened itself out. Elsewhere the brigade’s attack continues. Buck & ball from 9th Louisiana and 7th Louisiana’s  formed elements drives back the wobbly 25th Ohio and 2nd West Virginia. 1st Louisiana Battalion, however, bites off more than it can chew. It moves within 100 yards of Schenck’s 73rd Ohio and opens fire. It inflicts serious loss, but the Yankee return fire is deadly, costing the battalion a quarter of its men and throwing the survivors into confusion. The 73rd’s fire continues almost undiminished, and the Louisiana Battalion finally breaks, having lost three of every four men.

To the 73rd’s left is the 82nd Ohio, also of Schenk’s brigade. Both regiments had initially moved to the right to support the division’s artillery, placing  Milroy’s brigade between Schenck’s two halves. The 82nd finally finds the range, delivering a blistering volley into the 8th Louisiana’s forward battalion. A pitiful remnant flees the field. 8th Louisiana’s total losses have reached 80%.

While Schenck helps the 55th Ohio’s field officers restore order in its right-hand battalion, its left battalion advances to within 200 yards of the 52nd Virginia and unleashes a scathing fire. The Virginians are low on ammo, and their smoothbore muskets are in any case inferior weapons at this range. Steuart’s brigade thus suffers its first losses, but Schenck is wary of pressing his luck and holds the 32nd Ohio back.

With Milroy’s scolding burning his ears, Clusaret sends his brigade forward. The 60th Ohio and 8th West Virginia enfilade elements of the 7th and 9th Louisiana. The latter stands firm, but the former shows signs of breaking until Taylor arrives to steady the line. Both formations wheel to the left to face this new foe.

The Battle’s 1st Phase Concludes

The lines on the western end of the field have changed little after two hours of fighting, but losses are heavy on both sides. Taylor and Steuart brought 3300 soldiers forward; 700 are no longer with the colors, a loss of over 21%. Of its original 10,400, Fremont’s division has suffered only 450 battle losses, but another 400 men of the 75th Ohio are skulking in the woods far to the rear and may be impossible to rally. Thus the division has been reduced by 8.2%.

Obviously, Taylor and Steuart can take no comfort in these numbers. Although Steuart has suffered minimally, Taylor’s left wing has been shattered, and Fremont’s division is far from spent. With Blenker’s Germans poised to strike south, the rest of Ewell’s division is effectively pinned down. Patton’s brigade is approaching, but it may take a half hour or more before it intervenes. The two brigadiers must contemplate retreat, assuming Fremont will permit it.

Fremont’s problems are of a different kind. Captured Rebs have informed him of the bridge’s destruction and of Jackson’s supply dilemma. His division, however, cannot win this battle unaided. Blenker’s men must continue to drive forward despite their poor morale, and they must do so quickly, before the rest of Jackson’s division can arrive. Confident that Milroy, Schenck and Clusaret have the situation on the right wing in hand and that his presence there is not needed for the moment, Fremont rides in search of Louis Blenker.

Jackson pushes Little Sorrel hard and catches up with Ewell’s escort close to 1100. His kepi pulled low over his eyes and his threadbare blue uniform powdered with dust, Old Blue Light dismounts and urgently questions his subordinate. “General Ewell, we must push these people. Why is it that half your division is unengaged?”

Surprised by Jackson’s unexpected familiarity with his division’s situation, Ewell blinks in his owl-like fashion and replies in a voice even higher-pitched than usual. “Why General Jackson, the enemy has an entire division facing my right flank. Were I to send Trimble and Elzey forward, and they be defeated, the enemy might then attack your troops while still in column of march. The fight is here on the left. We need to keep open our line of retreat, and for that I need reinforcements. Once your division arrives, then is the time to maneuver our right.”

Jackson stares off in the direction of the fighting. “Very well, General Ewell, we will leave your right wing where it is for the time being, but let us not think solely of retreat. Generals Trimble and Elzey must be prepared to go forward and deal the enemy a blow from which he cannot soon recover, so that when we do retreat, we might do so unmolested.”

To be continued…

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Articles in this Series: Part 1  Part 2  Part 3