AAR: Little Mac's War

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Well, I have decided to give this AAR thing a try. A little background: I have played several games, all as the Confederacy. This is my first real try as the Union, and I have decided to go all in.

Thus, I will be starting this game as the Union on the Standard Campaign, playing on Captain level, with all Advanced Game options on.

The AAR will be written as follows. First, I intend to describe what is happening by fronts: the east (Virginia and all points east), the west (between Virginia and the Mississippi) and the far west (west of the Mississippi). This description will provide what orders I give to my forces. "In other news" will be a catch-all for everything else (ie. production, diplomacy, upgrades, etc.). "Over the next two weeks" will describe what actually occurs. I will also try to give general descriptions of all major battles.

I'll try to post daily, but make no promises. [;)]

As far as the game's name, it becomes clear from turn 1 that General McClellan will be one of my most important generals. His nickname, as bestowed by an adoring Army of the Potomac, was 'Little Mac.' Thus, 'Little Mac's War.'

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Early November 1861

The winter of 1861-1862 will be a period of organization and expansion for the Union. Additional brigades will be recruited and all existing units will be armed as effectively as possible. The Union will be searched for its best generals to lead it to victory as soon as the weather clears in the spring.

Early November1861 will begin by the Union fleet establishing a blockade of Norfolk. Additional blockading fleets will be dispatched to New Orleans and Mobile.

In the east, the Union has found a true commander in General McClellan. Later historians will state that, even at the beginning of the war, he had Great Initiative, Good Leadership and Great Tactics. The general immediately begins re-organization of the armies around Washington, creating an Army of the Potomac and an Army of the Potomac Reserve. Divisions were re-organized to provide each with five brigades. This left several divisions and one army command with no troops assigned. The divisions were dispatched to Harrisburg to be properly manned, while the Army was dispatched to Cincinnati, Ohio to help properly organize the western theater.

Once re-organized, the Army of the Potomac, hereafter AoP, consisted of 87,000 men organized in seven divisions: Banks’, McDowell’s, Heintzelman’s, Porter’s, Franklin’s, Hooker’s and Smith’s. An elite unit, Berdan’s Sharpshooters, is attached directly to the Army HQ. The army will be supported by the Army of the Potomac Reserve, hereafter AoP-R, under General Butler, with 2 under strength Divisions (the 6th and 7th). The AoP-R also contains all the siege artillery available in the eastern theater.

Western Virginia currently contains two under strength divisions, one organized as the Department of West Virginia under General Rosecrans, the other the 22nd Division. Both will be moved by rail to Wheeling because of rainy weather in the area. Here, these troops will remain on the defensive until further notice.

In the western theater, Kentucky still remains neutral. To respect their decision, the withdraw of all Union troops has been ordered and the three divisions (the 13th, 14th and 15th) under General Buell are to concentrate at Cincinnati.

At Cairo, Illinois, General Grant and his Department of Southeast Missouri has been ordered to reduce Fort DeRussey with assistance of several gunboats. General Hallack, commanding the Department of Missouri with two divisions (the 16th and 17th), has been ordered to move to Cairo in support of the siege.

In the far west, the 18th Division has been ordered to remain at Jefferson City, Missouri to guard against any advance by the Missouri State Guard, while the Department of Kansas will remain in Topeka, KS for the same reason.
In other news, several areas have been ordered to concentrate their efforts at producing more horses, while a new horse farm has been ordered at Madison, WI. A new mint and arsenal has been ordered at Buffalo, NY. Diplomats have been dispatched to Britain, France and several other European countries. New brigades are asked to voluntarily muster in Kansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana and Maine.

The next two weeks are relatively uneventful. The main Confederate army in the east under Cocke withdraws to Richmond, while a corps-sized detachment under Lee remains in the Shenandoah. In the west, a Confederate army under McLaws remains in Bowling Green, Kentucky and another under Ewell at Hatchie in Tennessee. No other major action occurs.

[Gil R.]

Great news. I look forward to following this.

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Late November, 1861

Late November, 1861 sees little action in the east. Several brigades arrive to fully equip both divisions in the AoP-R and the garrison at Fort Hill in Cumberland, Pennsylvania receives reinforcement. Otherwise, McClellan is content to train and equip his forces. The two divisions now occupying Wheeling in western Virginia are also content to remain stationary.

The west undergoes many more changes. General Grant has been spotted as a man of great potential. For that reason, Grant had been given command of the entire Department of Missouri. His first mission is to complete the capture of Fort DeRussey. The new Department of Missouri will contain three understrength divisions (the 16th, 17th and 20th Divisions) as well as 2 independent cavalry brigades and an independent artillery brigade.

The man whom Grant replaced, General Hallack, has been ordered to Cincinnati. There he will organize a new army, based around the army staff dispatched from Washington. The Army of Ohio (hereafter AoO) will be a new style army, organized into corps. At formation, the army has three very under strength divisions (the 13th, 14th and 15th) organized into a single corps. General Hallack plans to remain in Cincinnati over the winter, training and building up the strength of his army.

The far western theater in Missouri and Kansas sees little action, outside of the strengthening of its two far-flung divisions by various mustering of brigades.

In other news, a vast shortage of replacement soldiers plagues the Union army. During early November only 864 new replacements were trained and sent to existing units. To help correct this deficiency, a new camp was ordered built in New York City. The shortage of horses is still acute; for this reason a new horse farm is constructed in Des Moines, Iowa. To help fill out the newly forming AoO, voluntary musters are conducted in Ohio and western Pennsylvania.

The next two weeks are totally uneventful, outside of some minor raids by Confederate raiders that manage to seize several unguarded stores of weapons. Winter’s grip is beginning to restrict both North and South.

[Grell]

Good stuff, very nice AAR.

Regards,

Grell

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Early December, 1861

Early December, 1861 sees no action anywhere in the east. Outside of the AoP-R railing to Annapolis to enter winter quarters, all formations everywhere in the east, from western Virginia to Washington, have settled down for the long winter.

In the west and far west, there is slightly more action. Newly mustered brigades are railed to join the growing AoO at Cincinnatti. Grant and his army maintain his encirclement siege of Fort DeRussey. Elsewhere, all other Union troops have settled into winter quarters.

The only real action is at sea, where Union fleets finally establish close blockades of New Orleans and Mobile.

In other news, iron production has become another limiting factor for the Union. To address this problem, a new iron mine has been ordered at Harrisburg. A new laboratory has been ordered at Boston to increase the efficiency of the chaotic Union logistics. Voluntary musters of new brigades only occur at Cincinnati, which had not responded to the last call for troops.

The new two weeks bring little action, outside of a surprise advance by a division of Confederate troops under A.P. Hill to seize Westport on the road to Jefferson City.

[evwalt]

[font="times new roman"]Late December, 1861[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Christmas finds peace throughout most of America.  In the east, the AoP-R goes into winter quarters near Annapolis.  In the west, outside of the continuing siege of Fort DeRussey by Grant and the Department of Missouri, no major action is taken.  In the far west, several brigades are issued arms (mostly ancient muskets-all that is available in the region), but no action is planned.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]In other news, a new naval college is constructed in Annapolis, responding to a request from its new governor.  Chicago is the recipient of several construction requests as a new horse farm and mint are ordered for the city.  All musters are suspended over the Christmas holidays, as the recent influx of new recruits have not yet been processed and organized.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]The next two weeks are totally uneventful. [/font]

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Early January, 1862

The New Year begins peacefully. Throughout America, Union troops lay in winter quarters, quietly settling into army life. The one exception is the Department of Missouri under General Grant. Not content with the encirclement of Fort DeRussey, Grant ordered a more normal siege, trying to capture the fort before the onset of spring.

In other news, a new series of telegraph offices are installed throughout Maryland, again in response to a request of the governor. Otherwise, little spending is conducted at the beginning of this New Year.

The first two weeks of the New Year are uneventful, except for Grant’s aggressive new tactics at Fort DeRussey. There, Grant’s army loses nearly 700 troops but their aggressive new tactics cause nearly 1000 losses among the fort’s defenders. It is expected that the fort will not survive another month.

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Late January, 1862

Late January is much the same as early January. Only Grant’s army, newly energized by its successes over the last two weeks, is engaged in actual combat. However, a new formation is created in western Virginia. A corps-sized group, designated the Department of Western Virginia, is formed at Wheeling. This formation contains the newly renamed 21st Division (the formerly designated Department of Western Virginia) and the 22nd Division. This formation is led by an unknown general, General Hunter, recently transferred from Kansas. General Hunter’s first assignment is the creation of a fort to protect Wheeling from Confederate attacks.

In other news, many of the new brigades have been processed into their formations. For this reason, voluntary musters begin in Iowa, Michigan and New Hampshire.

During the next two weeks, Grant’s army maintains the pressure on Fort DeRussey. Isolated and under constant bombardment, the fort’s commandant surrenders. The only other event is the surprise advance yet again by the Confederate division-sized Army of the West under General Johnson, which captures Rolla, just south of Jefferson City.

[Jonah]

Very good. Got a great AAR.

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[font="times new roman"]Early February, 1862[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Early February sees the Union armies in the east still in winter quarters.  The only action is the completion of Fort Whitfield protecting Wheeling.  In the west, Grant’s army, fresh from its successful siege of Fort DeRussey is resting and being re-equipped.  It has also been determined that this force will play a main offensive roll in the New Year.  To that end, it has been re-designated the Army of the Mississippi (hereafter AoM).  It is expected that an offensive towards Memphis will begin shortly.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]The far west is the focus of Union action this turn.  The Confederate Army of the West has slowly moved towards Jefferson City, currently protected by the 10,000 men of the 18th Division.  Should the state capitol fall, so would its pro-Union state government.  To forestall that end, the division-sized Department of Kansas has been ordered to capture Westport, cutting off the only tenuous connection between the Army of the West and the Confederacy.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]In other news, new training grounds are ordered in Kansas in response to a request from its governor, a blatant attempt to win favor with a man who has tepid support for the war.  In addition, a new camp is ordered for Philadelphia to increase the number of individual replacements to existing brigades.  It has become clear that Union commanders have been ill served by staffs over the winter.  To help correct this deficiency, a new academy has been ordered built in Rochester, NY.  Musters are again halted to allow processing of the several new brigades recruited last month.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]The next two weeks sees little action outside of the far west.  There, the Department of Kansas manages to brave a rainy period to complete its march, re-capturing Westport for the Union.[/font]

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Late February, 1862

Late February is a blur of activity in the east. The AoP under McClellan quietly leaves winter quarters, marching north and west, aiming to enter the Shenandoah Valley from the north and attack the isolated corps under Lee before the main Confederate army in Richmond can respond. The next two weeks are spent slowly moving north into Annapolis while the AoP-R is shifted by rail to Washington to cover the capitol. Next month will see the AoP dash for the Shenandoah Valley and Lee.

The west sees little movement outside of the arrival of several brigades in Cairo to bring Grant’s divisions up to strength. In addition, with the unexpected appearance of Ewell and the Confederate Department Number 2 in the Lower Tennessee River, Grant has ordered the construction of a fort to protect his base at Cairo.

The far west sees the advance of the Department of Kansas against Osage in southwestern Missouri. The Confederate Army of the West is now isolated in central Missouri.

No new construction or musters are planned during this period.

The next two weeks are uneventful outside of the easy seizure to Osage by the Department of Kansas.

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Early March, 1862

Early March sees the beginning of the first major offensive by the Union. In the east, McClellan leads the AoP out of its camp near Annapolis, marching north through the Cumberland and planning to turn south into the Shenandoah and strike the isolated Lee.

In the west, Grant’s army finishes the construction of Fort Grapevine to protect its Cairo base. Though continuing making preparations to advance, the army does little else. In the far west, the Department of Kansas seeks to fall back from Osage, slip past the Confederate Army of the West still sitting motionless at Rolla, and join with the 18th Division under the newly promoted General Orme to safeguard Jefferson City.

In other news, it has been determined that even more individual replacements are needed. To that end, a new camp is ordered constructed in St. Louis. In addition, voluntary musters are done around the nation, concentrating in New York. Weapons research has also led to new manufacturing processes that have increased rifle production by nearly 50%.

The next two weeks sees McClellan’s AoP make a successful march into the Shenandoah, its 88,000 men attacking Lee’s 13,000.

BATTLE OF GREEN’S HILL- The AoP advanced in a wide arc, seeking to envelop Lee’s much smaller army. Lee stole a march on the AoP as they approached, seeking to launch a surprise on the Union right. Shortly before the Confederates struck, pickets of McDowell’s Division discovered their approach. Though they avoided Lee’s surprise attack, McDowell still had to meet Lee’s much stronger division with his single division for nearly half an hour until Franklin’s Division moved up on their right to relieve some of the pressure. The relief was too late for nearly half of McDowell’s division, which broke and fled the field. Only the timely arrival of Hooker’s troops prevented a large hole from being punched in the line.

In the meantime, the battle extended more on the Federal right as Smith’s division attempt to outflank Lee’s left. He ran directly into the Army of Southwest Virginia, marching to reinforce Lee. The battle raged on the center and right until the remainder of McDowell’s division broke and fled, taking Hooker’s and Franklin’s fresh troops with them. Suddenly, the Union center had dissolved. Even as the center broke, Smith’s division on the right held strong, screened from the disaster in the center by Green’s Hill. As the sun started to set, the Union left finally engaged, crashing into the Confederate rear, smashing supply wagons by the dozens.

Their effort was too little, too late. Though several brigades that had broken in the disaster in the center rallied and formed a ragged line, the damage was done. The Union army had been cut in two. Only the onset of night prevented total disaster. As the shattered Union army withdrew, General McClellan examined the result. His army had outnumbered the enemy more than two to one (counting the Confederate reinforcements from the Army of Southwest Virginia) but had been defeated. Still, the AoP had gained valuable combat experience against the better trained Confederates. In the end, even the losses were acceptable: 4887 for the Union against 4834 for the Confederacy. Only the surrender of the Minnesota First Volunteers was hard for McClellan to bear

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Late March, 1862

Late March sees the shuffling of several commands as a result of the Battle at Green’s Hill. General Banks had shown Poor initiative during the battle and McClellan no longer wanted him to command a division in the AoP. He demanded Banks’ removal, which Lincoln had no choice but to do. However, General Banks had political friends in high places, so the president’s method of removal was limited. Instead of a humiliating demotion, General Banks was transferred to the west and given command of I Corps of the AoO under General Hallack, still sitting at Cincinnati. Banks’ division was turned over to General Bussey. Upon his arrival in Cincinnati, Banks replaced General Buell, who was transferred along with his friend General Rosecrans to Jefferson City, Missouri, to command the newly forming corps-sized Department of Missouri.

Having been repulsed in his invasion of the Shenandoah Valley, McClellan led the AoP back to Maryland to be re-equipped, rest and receive replacements. In western Virginia, the Department of Western Virginia also remains motionless at Wheeling, content to protect the area.

In the west, the AoO begins construction of a fort to assist in the protection of Cincinnati. Grant and his AoM receive a large shipment of weapons, allowing him to finally begin the long process of replacing the ancient muskets with which most of his troops are armed with more efficient Minie Rifles.

The far west is currently in a state of flux. A new corps-sized Department of Missouri is being formed in Jefferson City under General Buell. Once complete, this force will drive the Confederate Army of the West from the state. Until its formation is complete however, little action will be taken.

In other news, a horse farm is ordered constructed in Lansing, Michigan. Little else is done, as many of the new brigades muster in the last few weeks have still not be properly processed into the army.

The next two weeks are uneventful, though the formation of the Department of Missouri falls behind schedule due to the slow arrival of several vital staff members

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Early April, 1862

Early April sees the AoP settle back into its quarters near Annapolis. Reinforcements and arms flow to the army, allowing McClellan to replace some of his brigades’ muskets with more efficient weaponry.

In the west, the AoO finishes construction of Fort Collyer near Cincinnati. Grant’s AoM is ordered to temporarily detach one of his divisions north to Jefferson City. He selects the 20th Division, his least well-equipped unit. In the far west, the Department of Missouri attempts to finally become a working formation.

In other news, a new mint is ordered Cleveland. In addition, a new blockading fleet is ordered constructed in Philadelphia. Once completed, it will be staffed by ships from the Home Fleet and used to extend the blockade of southern ports.

The next two weeks are the most important of the war to date. While little happens on the military front outside of the final formation of the Department of Missouri, the political front sees an important turn of events, as Kentucky finally chooses to join with the Union in putting down this rebellion!

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Late April, 1862

With Kentucky entering the war, it is time for the Union to begin a series of offensives that will crush this rebellion for good! The east will remain quiet, as the AoP recovers from its prior offensive in the Shenandoah and the Department of Virginia remains at Wheeling.

<Game Note: To better organize my forces, I have decided to be consistent in my names. Armies will be named for the closest river, while their subordinate corps and divisions will be numbered and labeled as “corps” or “divisions.” Independent organizations below the size of armies will be named as follows: independent corps will be labeled Departments of (whatever state they operate in); independent divisions will be labeled Department of (area of the state they operate in). The changes to the game are as follows: the prior Department of Virginia (a division-sized unit isolated in Fort Monroe) will be renamed the Department of Eastern Virginia. The prior Department of Western Virginia, a corps-sized unit in Wheeling, will be renamed the Department of Virginia.>

In the west, both the AoO in Cincinatti and the AoM in Cairo will begin preparations for an advance. To that end, a newly forming division, the 11th Division, is ordered to strength the Army of Ohio at Cincinnati. The major advance for the next two weeks is the attack by the Department of Missouri on the Confederate Army of the West (now commanded by General McCulloch) still occupying Rolla, Missouri. The 39,000 man Department of Missouri now consists of three full strength divisions, the 18th Division, the 19th Division (previously known as the Department of Kansas) and the 20th Division (temporarily detached from Grant’s Army of the Mississippi). The latest reports of Confederate strength put the Army of the West at only 10,000 troops.

In other news, Grant has recognized that any offensive from Cairo will require that the city have more extensive support services. For that reason, he ordered the construction of a Hospital to support his forces. In addition, a Laboratory is ordered for New York City to improve Union logistics.

The next two weeks sees an advance by the Department of Missouri. The outnumbered Confederate Army of the West manages to avoid battle, falling back to the Black River area of the state.

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Early May, 1862

Early May sees no action in the east. In the west, both the Army of the Mississippi and the AoO are preparing to advance. Grant’s AoM is the next army scheduled to advance, he only awaits the return of the 20th Division from the Department of Mississippi to begin.

In the far west, the Department of Missouri continues its pursuit of the Confederate Army of the West. Now short the 20th Division, the Department is relying on the fact that a new formation, the 12th Division, has arrived at St. Louis to strengthen the army. Currently with no assigned troops, General Buell of the Department of Missouri hopes to man it with brigades raised through voluntary musters in Iowa and the Indian Territory. General Buell doesn’t pin his hopes on their quick arrival; instead he keeps pushing hard into the Black River territories.

In other news, a foundry is established in Davenport, Iowa at request of the state’s governor. In addition, the first volunteer brigade is recruited in Annapolis, Maryland. (GAME NOTE: purchased rather than mustered). The navy also reports that its blockade operations have become nearly fifty percent more efficient due to better training.

The next two weeks sees the Department of Missouri pursue the retreating Army of the West into the Black River Country. Yet again, the Confederate army avoids battle, retreating into Arkansas, leaving Missouri free of Rebel troops for the first time. Other news from Missouri is not as welcome, as Grant’s 20th Division has been delayed by bad weather from rejoining his army.

[evwalt]

Late May, 1862

Late May in the east sees the AoP still recuperating from its last attempted advance. Meanwhile, the Department of Virginia in Wheeling has begun preparations for its own advance against the enemy, to be launched in support of advances further west.

In the west, Grant’s wayward 20th Division finally arrives to rejoin the army after a two week delay caused by bad weather. He quickly completes his final preparations for his expected advance in the next few weeks.

In the far west, Buell halts the advance of his Department of Missouri in the Black River territories, content to await the reinforcing 12th Division and its four brigades of Iowan troops and Indian volunteers.

In other news, a new mint is ordered constructed in Washington. Under massive political pressure from Delaware’s governor, the president finally relents and orders the construction of an iron works in the state.

The next two weeks sees several delays in the planned offensives. Grant’s army is struck with a devastating disease, which overburdens his limited medical facilities. In the far west, several brigades from Iowa marching to join the Department of Missouri are delayed by bad weather and do not arrive.

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Early June, 1862

Early June,1862 sees no action in the east, as both the AoP and the Department of Virginia are content to continue the preparations to advance.

The west is a different story, however. Determined not to let disease delay his offensive, Grant plans to push forward with his army and gunboats against the fortifications to the north of Memphis. In support of Grant’s advance, the AoO plans an advance from Cincinnati to Frankfort in Kentucky. In the far west, General Buell delays his own advance two more weeks, hoping the brigades from Iowa can reach his command before he moves.

On the naval front, the new 5th Fleet has been commissioned at Philadelphia. It is immediately assigned ships and dispatched to blockade Charleston, South Carolina.

In other news, limited volunteer musters take place in both Pennsylvania and Indiana, to raise troops to fill out the under strength divisions of the Department of Virginia before its own advance begins. In addition, Delaware begins recruitment of the east’s first independent cavalry brigade. To assist in the upcoming campaigns, new army training in marching in Line Formation is undertaken throughout the Union armies.

The next two weeks sees advances by both the AoM and AoO. Grant’s AoM has not yet shaken off the devastating disease that struck it over the previous weeks and many units again suffer its effects during the stress of the march. Grant pushes on nevertheless.

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Late June, 1862

Late June, 1862 sees McClellan finally begin preparations for another advance in the east. He plans to again attack Lee’s corps protecting the Shenandoah as part of the general Union offensive. The Department of Virginia’s own advance will be delayed, as none of the calls for volunteer musters were answered anywhere. Perhaps our country is already tired of war? Naval commanders do provide the cheerful news that Charleston has finally been blockaded by Union warships.

The west and far west are a blaze of activity. In the west, Grant begins a siege against Island Number 10 on the Mississippi. General Hallack and his AoO try to surprise Ewell’s Department Number 2 currently camped near Fort Henry. In the far west, Buell orders the Department of Missouri to invade Crowley’s Ridge in Arkansas, across the Mississippi from Memphis, seeking to cut off any attempt by the Confederate Army of the West to move hit Grant.

In other news, new artillery brigades are ordered constructed to support the AoP, as well as limited voluntary musters in the New England states. A new design for an Improved Springfield rifle is finally approved, allowing production of this excellent weapon to begin.

The next two weeks sees a great deal of action. In the west, Ewell and Department Number 2 slip away from the advancing AoO and march south to intercept Grant at Island Number 10. As the Confederates advance, Grant calls for assistance from Buell’s Department of Missouri just across the river.

BATTLE OF ISLAND NUMBER 10: Grant is content to march his army into position north of Brownsville and Cartersville, the two nearby towns that control access to Island Number 10. If he can capture these Objectives, the battle will be won. After arriving north of these towns, he settles down to wait for the arrival of Buell’s men.

The battle opens with a surprise as a Confederate cavalry brigade spots supply wagons passing by their hidden position. The Rebels immediately mount an attack, thinking they are somehow behind the Union lines. The wagons turn out to be the supply train of the 20th Division, whose combat brigades had somehow passed the position unseen. Even as the Rebel horsemen overrun the supply wagons, elements of two Union divisions close in around them. Now surrounded and outnumbered, the cavalry sends a desperate message requesting assistance. The entire Confederate army responds, advancing upon Grant and his unprepared army.

Grant responds quickly, ordering elements of the 20th Division to form a line on ‘The Bump,’ a large hill to the west of their position. As they do so, the Confederates become aware to their presence and halt to form their own lines. The Rebels sense of urgency disappears as the firing from their cavalry slows, then halts, as the outnumbered Texas Rangers are forced to surrender.

The loss of 20th Division supply train costs Grant nearly one-third of his available supplies. It had, however, drawn the Confederate army out of its position. As the Rebels delay their attack, Grant quickly draws up his lines, with the 17th and 20th Divisions on the center and right, their line centered on ‘The Bump.’ The 16th formed up on the left, near a bridge over a local creek. As elements of the Department of Missouri arrive on the field, Grant dispatches them to strengthen and extend his left.

Towards the end of the first day, the Union had won some minor victories but were still no closer to capturing the objectives. As night fell, a Confederate division with artillery support hit the Union right. At nearly the same time, several rebel brigades assaulting the Union center break and retreat. Grant decides on a daring plan. As darkness descends, he orders the entire 20th Division holding the center on ‘The Bump’ to conduct a turning movement against the rebel left currently assaulting his right. For nearly 2 hours, the entire Union center is devoid of troops until the rested and re-supplied 19th Division can occupy the position.

The result is disaster. The 17th and 20th Divisions become intermingled in the dark. The Federal artillery sent to support the attack gets lost and sets up near what they think is a friendly unit. It turns out to be a Confederate infantry brigade that rapidly overruns the guns, capturing them and turning them on the advancing Union troops. Even more devastating, General Grant, on the flank to personally straighten out the confusion, rides into the mist of the captured guns demanding they cease fire. He is promptly taken prisoner.

As day breaks, the leaderless Union army simply dissolves. Luckily, two divisions of the recently arrived Department of Missouri maintain their order, covering the retreat and thus avoiding total disaster. The final losses are 6400 Union and 4000 Confederate troops. Even more devastating, General Grant, commander of the AoM is captured. Both the defeated Department of Missouri and AoM retreat to Cairo.