Federals Take Kingston! - August 16, 1861

This is one of those unexpected outcomes in a simulation. There were only two regiments involved in this engagement: the 3rd Tennessee Infantry (Colonel Vaughn) and the 3rd Indiana Infantry (Colonel Holzmann). The 3rd Tennessee had a much higher casualty threshold for the engagement, the terrain was flat, and there is no way to really flank the enemy without another friendly unit providing fire to the front of an opposing unit. I thought this would clearly end with the 3rd Indiana withdrawing back to Black Horse Tavern.

The scenario was set so that the 3rd Tennessee was deployed in the center of town, but set for "attack," because the army commander had ordered all units with smoothbore weapons to close ground when engaged.  The 3rd Indiana was scripted to moved down the Tavern Road to the center of Kingston, and was also set for "attack." I did not intervene at all during the scenario.

As the 3rd Indiana approached, the 3rd Tennessee advanced out of town to meet it. The 3rd Indiana then veered off the road to the west, as if trying to gain the 3rd Tennessee's flank. In response, the 3rd Tennessee moved east off the road. It was also like watching a boxing match, as they seemed to keep looking for a better position, starting to form, and then moving again. The 3rd Indiana stopped in an orchard and slowly wheeled, managing to open fire on the 3rd Tennessee while it was still also trying to wheel into position. I thought the 3rd Tennessee would complete its wheel and return fire. Instead, it formed column and marched back to the middle of town.

While the 3rd Tennessee was heading back to the center of town, it was still in range of the 3rd Indiana. But instead of continuing to fire, the 3rd Indiana also formed column again, followed them, and then charged. When the resulting melee broke, the 3rd Tennessee was in full retreat. I couldn't believe it, but that is how it went down...

Skirmish at Kingston: August 9, 1861

The 3rd Indiana Infantry descended on Kingston from Black Horse Tavern on August 8th and was met by the 3rd Tennessee Infantry. After an unusual amount of maneuvering by each side, the Tennessee men opened fire first near an orchard on the north side of town. The 3rd Indiana responded in kind, both regiments armed with Model 1842 muskets.  Casualties were about equal, but the Tennesseans had more stomach for the fight and the Federals withdrew back to Black Horse Tavern, leaving Kingston under Confederate control.

Showdown at Kingston: July 23

On the night of July 22nd, the 4th Indiana Volunteer infantry was in Kingston with a section of artillery. On the morning of the 23rd, they prepared for move east to Sagarville, when the enemy appeared: A battalion of engineers armed as infantry and a section of artillery. A regiment of Confederate infantry was also reported to be advancing from the south.  The Federals remained in Kingston, knowing that the 3rd Indiana Volunteers was on its way from Mount Vernon to the east. The day's action would be in Kingston.

The right section of Battery "A," 1st Michigan Light Artillery faces south and fires on the 3rd Tennessee Infantry (CSA) as it advanced on Kingston up the Tavern Road. 

As the Federal artillery fires to the south, the 4th Indiana Infantry faces westward down the Kingston Road where the 2nd Battalion Tennessee Engineers and an unidentified section of artillery advances. 

As the artillery in town starts firing, the 3rd Indiana Infantry marches east on the Kingston Road in support. 

The 3rd Tennessee forms into battle line at the southern end of town and moves forward against the Union guns in the face of canister fire. 

Once in range, the 3rd Tennessee opens fire on Gun No. 3 and Gun No. 4 of Battery "A," 1st Michigan Light Artillery. 

At a church on the western side of town, the 4th Indiana engages with the 2nd Battalion Tennessee Engineers. The engineers are deployed along a stone wall at an orchard. 

Back in the center of town, the 3rd Tennessee charges the guns. Gun No. 3 fires its last round of canister and starts to retreat as the enemy closes in. 

Gun No. 4 is captured by the 3rd Tennessee and wheeled behind the lines as the Confederates take the center of town. A very senior Confederate office was seen encouraging the men and had a horse shot out from under him. 

The 4th Indiana starts to waver around the time the 3rd Tennessee occupies the center of town, threatening their rear. 

The 3rd Indiana pushes into the center of town to link up with the 4th Indiana and exchanges fire with the 3rd Tennessee at close range.  The Federal line wavers and then withdraws northward to Black Horse Tavern, leaving the Confederates in control of Kingston. 

Federals Take Kingston (July 17)

On July 17th, a Federal force advanced south along the Tavern Road to Kingston, where it engaged and dislodged a Confederate infantry regiment there. The Confederates retreated to the south.

Federal infantry moves south on the Tavern Road and passes the Shoemaker farm. Pine Hill is visible in the distance on the right. 

Federals cross Battle Creek and approach Kingston. 

Confederates deploy on the north side of town to meet the enemy advance. 

The engagement starts with a Union regiment across the Tavern Road and Confederates deployed in an orchard. 

Union artillery prepares to deploy to the rear. 

Union infantry outnumbers the Confederates and pours on fire shortly before the Confederates are given the order to retreat.