GCACW Tactics: River Crossings
Crossing the Pamunkey the Right Way
In the turn prior to "Day 1", the Union presses its movement with the III and IV corps (see Figure 1). All Union units start Day 1 disorganized and exhausted. Both of Keyes' divisions have lost 2 MP each due to extended marches. However, all Union divisions end the previous turn adjacent to the Pamunkey. Sub-3 has 7 MP and is part of Porter's division (now at 14 MP).
Day 1
The Union wins the first two initiatives and sends the IV corps across the river with movement rolls of 5 and 4. Both divisions detach 7 MP Substitutes in the hex from which they start the movement. Since these units are disorganized, 7 MP is required to make the 5 CV needed to build a pontoon. The Horse Artillery and Art Res-2 cross with Keyes. The Confederates win the next 2 initiatives. Early blows the Nelson Bridge and then moves with Garland down river to cover Heintzelman's position.
The Union wins the next four initiatives. Heintzelman activates Kearny twice, dropping a 7 MP Substitute in his at start hex and then moving across the river at Bassett's ferry to reinforce Couch's division. Porter then moves twice and moves to the hex just north of Bassett's ferry. Longstreet and DH Hill activate next and make contact with the III and IV corps units. The initiative turns back over to the Yanks and Porter moves across the river to reinforce Couch and Kearny. In the next Union initiative, Keyes launches a pre-emptive attack against Longstreet in hopes of inflicting a D. The assault dr=3 so only Smith attacks (the Art Res-2 is left out) at -1 (7:8, -1ratio -1tactical +1assault = -1). Even dice result in an F/1D outcome.
Because of the Union artillery units and position in rolling terrain, the Confederates cannot make a +2 attack without some flank modifiers. RH Anderson activates twice and moves first to Pickett's hex and then around Smith's hex to be in flanking position. To meet the threat, Couch moves from Heintzelman's hex to Keyes' hex, losing a MP to extended march. Keyes then assaults Pickett (assault dr=4) at -1 (5:8, -1ratio -1tactical +1 assault) but wins the die roll by 2 for a D/1D result. Since Pickett is now at F4 and RH Anderson is at F3 and not stacked with Longstreet, Longstreet's division is effectively out of action for the turn. Early's demi-division is at F3 so the only unit with more than one available fatigue is Garland (F2). Both Union hexes are strongly held with lots of artillery, so the Confederates decide to wait for reinforcements in later turns to attack the bridgehead. During the recovery phase, Subs-1,2 and 4 successfully build bridges.
Day 2
Rain falls on Day 2. The Union reinforces the line and shift Smith's division to the Union left to cover the Piping Tree Ferry pontoon. The Confederate's cannot get better than a +1 attack and do not attempt any assaults. The Subs move across the river and the Union divisions recover from exhaustion and disorder. At the end of the turn, Smith's hex has 16 MP and 4 artillery behind a creek; Keyes 16 MP and 8 artillery; Heintzelman 36 MP and 13 artillery. The Union occupies a strong defensive position south of the Pamunkey with secured bridges for retreat paths and reinforcements. The Confederates were able to force a crossing downstream from Hanoverton and have the Union forces contained against the Pamunkey. However, the Union bridgehead allows the Union to threaten a crossing further upriver forcing the Confederates to contain the Bassett's ferry bridgehead or meet the new threat. If Union forces are able to entrench, then some part of the III/IV corps contingent could re-cross to the north side of the Pamunkey to threaten a flanking maneuver (crossing the river again to get into flanking position). Above all, the Union has compromised the defensive viability of the Pamunkey line and at the same time, prevented a disastrous counter-attack.
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