Turn 5 is Over

Turn 5 ran from August 1 - 8, 1861.  The tactical engagements were all minor in scale, but there were a few developments of strategic note:

1. The Confederates re-occupied Burlington and Madison (major objectives). These are both strategically important rail towns and their occupation assisted in speeding up the repair of damaged rails and re-establishing supply lines.

2. The Union captured Newport and Clinton (minor objectives)

It is also worth noting that several new regiments appeared on the field during Turn 5, including Federal cavalry, Federal infantry and Confederate infantry units.

Players should receive their Turn 5 reports by the weekend.

Union Infantry South of the Bull Head - August 8, 1861

So far during the Grand Campaign, the action in the eastern sector, in the vicinity of the Bull Head River, has consisted primarily of Union cavalry probing from the fords (Tomlin's, Caesar, and Atkins) to the towns immediately south of the river (Arlington, Centerville, Rowland Mills). Confederate infantry has been at the area since mid-July and has easily repulsed these probes. On August 8th, however, the first Union infantry appeared south of the Bull Head River, making an attack on Centerville.

A large Union infantry regiment advances on Centerville on the Centerville Pike. A battalion of cavalry accompanies it, moving through the fields to the infantry's left. 

The 1st Alabama Infantry holds Centerville and opens fire on the Union infantry. 

The Union infantry, identified as the 1st Illinois Infantry, returns fire in the streets of Centerville. 

Union cavalry in the fields northwest of town open fire on the 1st Alabama's left flank. 

Despite fire on its front and left, the 1st Alabama holds firm as casualties rise. 

The Federals eventually break off the engagement and then withdraw back to Caesar Ford, north of Centerville. 

Infantry at Newport - August 7, 1861

A large Federal cavalry force under Brigadier General Frank Wolford took Newport on August 4th, finally driving off Colonel Joseph Wheeler's 1st Tennessee Cavalry. On August 7th, Wolford received news of an advance on Newport from the south, along the Old Stage Road. He deployed his forces around the Davis House. This is the same position that some of the cavalry present defended against an Attack on Newport on July 5th, when it was taken by Wheeler and Brigadier General Nathan Forrest. Forrest was seriously wounded later in the campaign and is no longer on the field.

The 1st Tennessee Cavalry has been battling over Newport with elements of the 1st and 2nd Kentucky Cavalry from the start of the Grand Campaign. The action on on August 7th brings a new element to the fight for control of the town: Infantry.

Sharp Skirmish at Newtown - August 6th

On August 6th, a mixed Federal force composed of the 4th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, a battalion of cavalry, and another infantry regiment from Illinois left Milford and marched south down the Newtown Road with the objective of taking Newtown. It met the 1st Kentucky defending the town, with whom the 4th Ohio had fought on previous occasions.

Union troops cross town creek as the advance on Newtown on August 6th. 

The ever-aggressive 1st Kentucky, despite having rifled muskets, advances out of town to engage the enemy at close range. 

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The 4th Ohio is at the center of the Union line and is the first to form and engage. 

Federal cavalry attempted to move through an orchard on the 1st Kentucky's right, but the 1st wheeled, fired a volley, and sent it into retreat. It was a case of brother vs. brother as the 1st Kentucky Infantry (CS) fought the 1st Kentucky Cavalry (US).

An infantry regiment from Illinois began to move on the 1st Kentucky's right flank. 

Before the Illinois regiment could form and open fire, the 1st Kentucky retreated and withdrew to Whitmer, leaving Newtown in Union hands. 

Confederates Take Orr Tavern - August 4, 1861

A battalion of Union cavalry was deployed on the north bank of the South Branch River, close to the bridge and within Carbine range of Orr Tavern. A single Confederate cavalry battalion approached from Monroe on the Newport Road, as a regiment of enemy cavalry followed by a regiment of infantry advanced on the West Pine Road, from the direction of Lebanon and Bonnet. The Federals engaged the cavalry on the Newport Road and were holding their own, as the enemy infantry moved off the road and then wheeled left to put its right flank on the river. The infantry then moved on the Union cavalry battalion's left flank and opened fire, force the Federals to retreat north across the river to Riverside.

Federal cavalry battalion deployed near the bridge on the north bank of the river. 

Confederate advance on the West Pines Road. 

Confederate cavalry battalion arriving at Orr Tavern on the Newport Road. 

Cavalry exchanges fire. 

Confederate infantry arrives and fires into the Union cavalry battalion's left flank, forcing it to retreat and leave Orr Tavern  in possession of the Confederates. 

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Renewed Cavalry Fighting at Newport - August 4, 1861

Federals make another attempt to take Newport.

Probes over the Bull Head - August 4, 1861

Once again cavalry battalions at Tomlin's Ford and Atkins' Ford crossed the Bull Head River and move south, probing around Arlington and Rowland Mills respectively. The outcome was a repeat of the situation on August 1st. Both battalions were repulsed by infantry and returned to the fords.

Arlington - August 4, 1861

Rowland Mills - August 4, 1861

Lewis Re-appears at Clinton: August 4, 1861

Solomon Lewis, now a Brigadier General, left Madison on the morning of August 1st. On August 4th, he led a column north up the Indian Rock Road and encountered the 3rd Kentucky Infantry (CS) at Clinton. The 3rd Kentucky had been dislodged from Cedar Grove on the 2nd and was deployed at the south end of Clinton, on the Clinton Pike. 

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The 3rd Kentucky at the south end of Clinton on August 4, 1861,

Brigadier General Solomon Lewis approaches Clinton from the south on the Indian Rock Road, with his force that had taken Madison at the end of July and the addition of a cavalry battalion.  

As the 3rd Kentucky opens fire on the Federal cavalry at the vanguard of Lewis' column, Lewis' infantry moves to the cavalry's left, leading it into a swamp, with one regiment going through the swamp and up onto the hill west of Clinton. 

Although approaching from the south, Lewis' infantry attacks the 3rd Kentucky with one regiment to the southwest in the swamp and the other working its way across the hill to attack from higher elevation to the west. 

Although the 3rd Kentucky inflicted higher losses on Lewis' men than it received in return, the larger Union force was able to absorb more casualties. The 3rd Kentucky eventually retreated westward down the Clinton Pike to Hogbin's Store, leaving Clinton in possession of Brigadier General Lewis and his men. 

Rematch at Strawderman - August 3, 1861

On August 3rd, an engagement took place at Strawderman that was essentially a rematch of the one that took place on July 18. Only this time the Confederate infantry in town (2nd Kentucky) did not have the support of a cavalry battalion on their left. The attacking force under Benjamin F. Smith (now promoted to Brigadier General) was composed of the same two infantry regiments that were in the July 18th engagement: The 2nd and 3rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Aside from the change in Smith's rank, there are some other changes in the Federal force that had advanced from Parson's Gap. The 3rd Ohio has thrown away their white havelocks worn earlier in their service, and both Federal regiments are better armed than the last time they met the 2nd Kentucky at Strawderman.

The 2nd Kentucky Infantry in Strwaderman opens fire on Ohio infantry advancing from Parson's Gap. 

The 2nd Ohio deploys, opens fire, and starts to advance against the 2nd Kentucky. 

Initially, the 3rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry (on the Union right) is kept in reserve.

Brigadier General Benjamin F. Smith eventually commits the 3rd Ohio in on the right, in an effort to dislodge the Confederate regiment in town. 

The 2nd Kentucky takes heavy fire from the 2nd Ohio. 

The 3rd Ohio gains a foothold at the northern edge of Strawderman, and fires into the 2nd Kentucky's left flank. 

The pressure being too much, Colonel Frank Maney orders the 2nd Kentucky to retreat and withdraw to Hogbin's Store to the south. 

Fighting at Cedar Grove - August 2, 1861

Federal forces advanced on Cedar Grove from Greenville on August 2nd.

A group of Union officers observes the advance from near the Alderman Farm. 

The 1st Ohio Volunteer Infantry enters Cedar Grove from the north and receives fire from the 3rd Kentucky (CSA).

The Ohio men form, fire, and slowly advance with their smoothbore muskets.

A section of Union artillery supports from the left rear of the Union infantry. 

Despite losses, the 1st Ohio inches forward.

The 3rd Kentucky holding firm, inflicting losses on the Ohioans. 

Eventually, the 3rd Kentucky retreats southward toward Clinton, leaving Cedar Grove in possession of the Union District of Ohio. 

Failed attack on Newport - August 1, 1861

Once again, Colonel Frank Wolford advanced across the South Branch River from North Bank with a force of Union cavalry in an effort to capture the town of Newport. Colonel Joseph Wheeler and the 1st Tennessee met Wolford again, straddling the Old Stage Road on the elevated position north of town. After a brief fight, the Union cavalrymen were ordered to retreat back to North Bank.

Federal Cavalry Turned Back at Arlington - August 1, 1861

A battalion of Union cavalry (3rd Battalion, 3rd Kentucky) moved on Arlington from Tomlin's Ford. Instead of waiting in town, a regiment of Alabama infantry (2nd Alabama) advanced out to meet the enemy. The Federals opened fire at long range, but the Confederates fired as the closed-in and then delivered a volley at close range that drove the Union cavalrymen back to Tomlin's Ford.

Probing Rowland Mills - August 1st

A small battalion of Union cavalry left Atkins Ford and conducted a probe around Rowland Mills. It met a regiment of Alabama infantry and withdrew back to the ford light losses.