Battle of McDowell May 8, 1862 Part 2

When we last left off the situation was looking bad for General Jackson's Forces outside of McDowell, Virginia.  Two regiments have been routed and The Federal Force doesn't show any sign of stopping.

BG Robert Schenck Leads his brigade over the bridge in support of BG Milroy's advance.

BG Robert Milroy motivating his regiments forward.

The Hill and the line of advance. The Federal Regiments continue to surge forward up the slope towards the Confederate positions.

Turn 5. Federal Initiative. The 3rd WV Infantry fail to advance. Milroy and the main force continue up the hill. BG Schenck crosses the bridge and moves his regiments to the Federal left. The 25th Va Infantry who were routed earlier have left the field. "Stonewall" issues his orders for his brigades. The 23rd Va Infantry under BG WIlliam Taliaferro on the road open fire on the 3rd WV Infantry. The West Virgina Infantry take casualties.  "Allegheny" Johnson's Brigade lets loose along the line with their opening volleys. All along the Federal advance the line takes heavy casualties and wavers. 3rd WV takes serious casualties and is shaken. the 25th Ohio Infantry  rout from the field. the 75th Ohio Infantry are also shaken.

The 25th Ohio routes and stops at the river. BG Milroy finds himself in the lead of the advance.  He continues to motivate his men forward.

BG Schenck and his brigade. 

Turn 6. Confederate Initiative. The 23rd Va Inf continues to pound the 3rd West Virginia Infantry. Finally they give up the field under the pressure of severe casualties their morale cracks and they quit the field. This leave the road into McDowell open and unopposed. The Continued barrage from "Allegheny" Johnson's Brigade cuts the Federal advance to pieces and General Milroy watches as both the 32nd and the 75 Ohio Infantry Regiments break and fall back. The 25th Ohio from earlier throw their gear to the ground and swim the river to the opposite bank.

Johnson's Brigade watches as the Federal brigade retires from the field in less then good order.

BG Milroy alone in the front of the field. the routed regiments bottleneck at the bridge and the bank of the river. BG Schenck does his best to keep his brigade from being swept away by the "Big Skedaddle."

Turn 7. Federal Initiative.  Brigadier General Schenck, with the last of his men across the river, deploy into line of battle. "Stonewall" Jackson orders his men forward. "Keep the heat on them!" Johnson, Taliaferro, and Burke's brigades move forward and begin the counter attack down the hill.

BG Schenck straightens his lines.

Turn 8. Federal Initiative.  BG Johnson halts his men and lets the fresh regiments of Col. Jesse Burke's Brigade pass through his position. On the Confederate right flank, Taliaferro's brigade continues to advance up the narrow road in battle line.

Bg Schenck awaits the Southern horde. Confident in his position on this side of the river. General Milroy, with his head hung in shame, crosses the bridge back to the opposite side f the river. The regiments of his brigade nowhere to be seen.

"FORWARD!!  Drive the Philistines out!!" cries "Stonewall Jackson.

Turn 9. Confederate Initiative. Johnson continues to rest his men on the crest of the hill. The combined brigades of Burke and Taliaferro surge forward at best possible speed across the rough and rocky ground. 

At the beginning of turn 10 the BG Schenck realized that his position was no longer attainable.  The combined forces coming over the hill to the immediate front gave an impressive view of manpower.  General Schenck would not be able to fall back and redeploy before the game ends.  It is also of note that the Confederate force is out of range of the Federal force. The movement distance over rough ground is only 2 inches as compared to open ground which is 4 inches. In the future, I would suggest making the game last to at least 20 Turns. I could have continued with this battle, however time restraint no longer made it practical. This battle ended as it did with a Confederate Victory based on casualties and units routed from the field.