The Union forces were dug in along two lines of earthworks, the foremost one was defended by Casey's division which was made up of green troops.  |
| Casey's Line awaits the Confederate advance |
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| Confederate sheer weight of numbers mean that Casey wont hold for long |
Confederate forces moved up the road and through the woods to engage the first line of dug in troops. Fierce musketry fire ensured, but the rebs weight of numbers meant that despite union forces slowing down the confederate advance, Casey quickly had to withdraw or lose his division.
Casey's bloodied brigades withdrew in good order behind the second line, which were manned by fresh union forces and significant artillery which were waiting for the rebel forces to come within range.
The confederate forces took the first line of fortifications, but they found it difficult to pick their way through the earthworks, and struggled to maintain good order or impetus to carry onto the second line. All along the confederate line, orders were being given to form up and close onto the second line. Longstreet was acutely aware that time was critical, if he could capitalise on the early successes he could roll up the union forces around seven pines before their reinforcements could arrive and bolster the line.
The rebels lack of discipline and order meant that the line didn't all charge as one. Brigades went in unsupported as others stalled. Confederate artillery due to the rapid advance of some of the lines meant that they were forced to limber and find alternative fields of fire. This lack of unified attack and no artillery support allowed the Union forces to roll up and down their line with volley after volley of death into the packed and disorganised ranks of the rebel lines. Those confederate brigades which made it to the Yankee line were quickly repelled due to the defensive works barring their entry to seven pines.
Longstreet brought all his might towards getting a foothold on the second line. He repeatedly sent confederate forces again, and again into the defenders. Sporadic confederate fire tried to dislodge the defenders, but was not of any volume or focused enough to show any great effect.
Keyes knew that if the Union forces could hold for another hour then they stood a chance, Casey's division was badly beaten up so was positioned in support and reserve to help plug any gaps appearing across the breastworks.
Longstreet in a final effort to break the deadlock tried to bring the rebels numbers to bare on the thin Union line. He ordered two brigade down the road to hit the Union line in the middle in attack column. He hoped the weight of numbers would crack the line and allow the rebel forces to spill into the gap.
Union artillery poured canister shot after canister into the advancing brigade. Within one attack both columns were decimated and broke harmlessly onto the earthworks.
As the day wore on, the Union forces held. Their concern was not enough ammunition, whereas the Confederates concern was not enough men!
Over to the North of seven pines, Confederate forces arrived and could hear the fierce fighting in and around seven pines. They marched with all haste to support the attack. During this time a Union force had also arrived from the NE and was heading toward these forces with an intent to delay. Union forces charged the confederate forces and despite having the element of surprise the union forces had overstretched themselves to reach the Confederate forces and were quickly fought off and bloodied.
At the same time, two Irish brigades arrived behind seven pines and were making all possible speed to support keyes. These two deployed and were straight into the fray, being ordered by Keyes to plug his right and left flank where confederate forces had almost broken through...
Longstreet's final assault saw the Union lines buckle in the centre and withdraw. However, the confederate forces couldn't pursue due to the depth of the earthworks so were tantalising close to breaking through if they only had more time....
Keyes seeing this rallied the union line and dove straight back into the rebels who were picking their way through the defenses. This quick charge resulted in the rebel forces withdrawing for another and final time.
The light was fading and Longstreet couldn't ask his boys to try again. He would learn later that evening that over 5,000 of his forces were dead or seriously wounded in and around seven pines.
He knew that the union forces had suffered as well, but the butchers bill had been a heavy one today with little gain. He knew that trenches and fortifications were the future of warfare. While he had many doubters about this, he was convinced more than ever after today what a smaller force can accomplish if behind defences.
Weariness grew over him, as he knew he would have to ask his troops to do it all again tomorrow. He just hoped he had enough men to do it....
Keyes knew that him and his men's survival was in the balance many times today. He had met the enemy and had survived. Union forces still held seven pines with fresh men and supplies being moved up under darkness.
If the confederate forces didn't come again tomorrow then he knew he would have to go to them to try and finish this once and for all. He had lost nearly 3,000 men; more than he could afford to. However, he knew that for every union man who fell today had cost the life of 2 rebels. Perhaps that ratio was enough....
The rebels lack of discipline and order meant that the line didn't all charge as one. Brigades went in unsupported as others stalled. Confederate artillery due to the rapid advance of some of the lines meant that they were forced to limber and find alternative fields of fire. This lack of unified attack and no artillery support allowed the Union forces to roll up and down their line with volley after volley of death into the packed and disorganised ranks of the rebel lines. Those confederate brigades which made it to the Yankee line were quickly repelled due to the defensive works barring their entry to seven pines.
Longstreet brought all his might towards getting a foothold on the second line. He repeatedly sent confederate forces again, and again into the defenders. Sporadic confederate fire tried to dislodge the defenders, but was not of any volume or focused enough to show any great effect.
Keyes knew that if the Union forces could hold for another hour then they stood a chance, Casey's division was badly beaten up so was positioned in support and reserve to help plug any gaps appearing across the breastworks.
Longstreet in a final effort to break the deadlock tried to bring the rebels numbers to bare on the thin Union line. He ordered two brigade down the road to hit the Union line in the middle in attack column. He hoped the weight of numbers would crack the line and allow the rebel forces to spill into the gap.
Union artillery poured canister shot after canister into the advancing brigade. Within one attack both columns were decimated and broke harmlessly onto the earthworks.
As the day wore on, the Union forces held. Their concern was not enough ammunition, whereas the Confederates concern was not enough men!
Over to the North of seven pines, Confederate forces arrived and could hear the fierce fighting in and around seven pines. They marched with all haste to support the attack. During this time a Union force had also arrived from the NE and was heading toward these forces with an intent to delay. Union forces charged the confederate forces and despite having the element of surprise the union forces had overstretched themselves to reach the Confederate forces and were quickly fought off and bloodied.
At the same time, two Irish brigades arrived behind seven pines and were making all possible speed to support keyes. These two deployed and were straight into the fray, being ordered by Keyes to plug his right and left flank where confederate forces had almost broken through...
Longstreet's final assault saw the Union lines buckle in the centre and withdraw. However, the confederate forces couldn't pursue due to the depth of the earthworks so were tantalising close to breaking through if they only had more time....
Keyes seeing this rallied the union line and dove straight back into the rebels who were picking their way through the defenses. This quick charge resulted in the rebel forces withdrawing for another and final time.
The light was fading and Longstreet couldn't ask his boys to try again. He would learn later that evening that over 5,000 of his forces were dead or seriously wounded in and around seven pines.
He knew that the union forces had suffered as well, but the butchers bill had been a heavy one today with little gain. He knew that trenches and fortifications were the future of warfare. While he had many doubters about this, he was convinced more than ever after today what a smaller force can accomplish if behind defences.
Weariness grew over him, as he knew he would have to ask his troops to do it all again tomorrow. He just hoped he had enough men to do it....
Keyes knew that him and his men's survival was in the balance many times today. He had met the enemy and had survived. Union forces still held seven pines with fresh men and supplies being moved up under darkness.
If the confederate forces didn't come again tomorrow then he knew he would have to go to them to try and finish this once and for all. He had lost nearly 3,000 men; more than he could afford to. However, he knew that for every union man who fell today had cost the life of 2 rebels. Perhaps that ratio was enough....
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| Union and Confederate forces to the North of Seven Pines engage each other. |
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| The Rebels break through the first line, but are disorganised and reel from a devastating volley from the Union forces |
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| Irish Brigade marches towards Seven Pines to help defend the earthworks |
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| Confederate forces break through the second line, but can not push on. Union forces quickly rally and drive Confederate forces back.... again! |
A great game. We used Fire and Fury and played the first day in about 6 hours. We have worked out which units have suffered what losses, with a view for us to finish day 2. Cant wait!
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