Battle of Cross Keys June 8, 1862: Part 2.

Trimble's Brigade fighting for the hill.

Elzey's Brigade in Action.

Scheneck's Brigade emerges from the wood line near Cross Keys. bringing the Federal right flank into action.

Turn 6. Federal Initiative  Stahel and Milroy's Brigades continue to fire at the Confederates. The 15th Alabama and the 21st Georgia Infantry from Trimble's Brigade both rout and retreat from the hill. The 21st North Carolina and the 16th Mississippi Regiments step forward and continue the fight for the hill.

The Confederate artillery stay busy as they fire on both Stahel's and Milroy's Brigades.

Elzey's Brigade

Trimble's Brigade manages to drive off the 41st NY from Stahel's Brigade. During the volley General Stahel is wounded and removed from the field.

The Confederate Right flank.

Turn 7. Confederate Initiative The battle continues along the front. As the Artillery Batteries open fire on Milroy's Brigade a piece of shrapnel hits Brigadier General Milroy in the chest knocking him from his horse. He is severely wounded and taken from the field. His Brigade stalls and holds position.The 2nd West Virginia Regiment routs from the field under pressure from the 12th Ga Infantry. Two brigade commanders down and mounting casualties on the Federal side brings Brigadier General Blenker  to order Koltes brigade forward.

Taylor's Louisiana Brigade arrives on the Confederate Right Flank. The reinforcements come at a critical moment.

Taylor's Brigade arrives on the field.

Turn 8. Federal Initiative  The musketry begins to die off as the lines are adjusted. Individual regiments take it onto themselves to either move forward or hold position. Koltes' Brigade rushes forward in column formation. Battery I limbers up and moves forward as well.  Elzey's Brigade, still on the advance side of the creek continue to exchange fire with the remnants of Milroy's Brigade.

Confederate Right Flank.

Confederate Left Flank.  Brigadier General Scheneck's Brigade continues forward.  Confederate Brigades of Steuart and Patton hold their position.

Elzey's Brigade holds the middle.

Battery I moving forward.

General Blenker observing the situation as reinforcements are called up.

Turn 9. Federal Initiative.  Scheneck's Brigade moves ever closer to the Confederates.  Battery I  deploys forward of Milroy's Brigade in the center.  The Federals advance all along the front.

Confederate Right Flank. Taylor's Brigade crosses the creek in support of Trimble's Brigade.

Confederate Left Flank.  Scheneck's Brigade comes within musket range and prepares to let loose with their musketry.

"Battalion, Fire by Company! Ready........"

"Load Canister!"

Turn 10. Confederate Initiative.  Steuart and Patton's Brigades open fire on Scheneck's Brigade causing heavy casualties. The Confederate Batteries open fire in the center  Trimble's Brigade resumes its attack on the hill.

Battery I  1st Ohio Light Artillery is shaken by the confederate cannonade. 

Scheneck's brigade returns fire after taking major hits from the Confederates. 

MG Richard Ewell observes the action from the center of the field. 

Battery I firing canister at the enemy. General Koltes's Brigade goes into line and prepares to advance up the middle.

The firing n the Confederate right flank continues hot and heavy. Taylor stands ready to order his brigade to pass through Trimble's Brigade and carry the hill.

General Bohlen's brigade is called up as well. General Blenker sits impatiently as Bohlen's Brigade passes by.

Turn 11. Confederate Initiative The Confederate Guns concentrated in the middle supporting the advance of Trimble and Taylor on the right flank eventually drive the last few regiments of  Stahel's brigade off the hill. 

The sun begins to set on the battlefield and the musketry begins to die off. random shots are heard in the distance with the last few canons. The evening air is filled with the low cries of the wounded and dying.

General Blenker slowly drops his binoculars to his lap and hangs his head in disgust. He knows he was unable to carry the field but he is sure he could have if he had more time. 

Parting shots.

Federal Losses  =   x2 Brigade Commander. x5 regiments  27 stands
Confederate Losses = x6 regiments   23 stands

Narrow Confederate Victory.

MG John C Fremont's division is defeated and they fall back toward Harrisonburg Va.  MG Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson in Port Republic prepares for the attack of Shield's division coming down the Luray Road on the east bank of the Shenandoah River. On June 8th, Federal Cavalry from Shields Advance force crosses the river and enters Port Republic. Jackson himself is almost captured. He rallies an artillery battery and infantry to drive off the Federal Cavalry.  With the Federal Cavalry ran out of town, Jackson orders BG Charles Winder and the Stonewall Brigade to deploy and ready for action on the east side of the Shenandoah River. The Battle of Port Republic is about to begin.