November 29, 1861
Fredricksburg, Virginia
The battle of Port Royal
At around 8:00, a courier rode up to me.
"General Martimus, the enemy is aproaching!"
"Where? How many?" I asked as I was buttoning my coat.
"General Reynold's Army of the Potomac Right, 34,600, Marching towards our flank near Port Royal."
"Where is the II corps?" I asked, obviously needing the largest formation in our army.
"Not here sir,"
Blast, that meant I would have to fight the battle with the III and I corps alone.
"Notify Longstreet and Lee to bring their forces in the Port Royal region on the defensive. Order the Garrison troops under Huger to Rendevous..." I looked at the map.
"...Here. Where is Hill's corps?"
"General Early's division is at Rapohonack Station, but Hill and Anderson's division are at Fredricksburg."
"Okay. Tell Early to come with all haste and we'll meet them soon."
Across the Rapahanock, on the south side, Anderson's division was dug in, to their right was the woods and to their left was a large hill called Turkey Knob. Lee planned to have Anderson bear the brunt of the federal assault, and the rest of the army will fall on the federal right, once R.H. Anderson draws them in past the Rapohanock with their backs to the river. The battle opens up, and on Anderson's imiediate front, the union mass Samuel Hentzilmans heavy division. Anderson forms his six brigades into line of battle, The washington Arrtillery, the Virginia brigade, the Hampton's legion, the Texas brigade, the Georgia brigade and the Florida brigade. On Anderson's right, the division of Nathanial P. Banks advances, spear headed by the Iron Brigade. Anderson sends the Georgians refusing his flank. Hentzilman's line surges foward and charges, Anderson rides up and down the line urging the men on, even Lee himself get's near the action. The musket's blaze and HentZilman's charge falls apart, he then pulls back across the Rapohannock. To the right, Banks and the Iron brigade are locked in a deathmatch against the Georgians, who hold firm. To the Confederate Left, Fritz John Porter brings his division around Turkey nob to flank Anderson. The collumn halts as the action shifts back to the center. The union under Hentzilman advance again with fixed bayonets and charge across the river. Anderson orders to fire and ripples of musketry are heard along the battle. Hentzilman's assault is slowing down but he is fully engaged. On the Right, Banks gathers his men and leaves the Iron brigade on the flank and brings the rest of his men into Hentzilman's assault. To the Left, John F. Reynolds, the union army commander, brings his troops in collumn of fours around Turkey Knob Hill. Suddenly, Longstreet's attack begins and Ben Huger's garrison Virginians, McLaws Georgians and South Carolinians as well as mississipians fall on Porter's division before they can form into line of battle. With a rebel yell, the Confederates surge foward and the union line collapses. The First volley brought John Reynolds from his Horse and the second sends his brigade into flight. Mclaws rallies his men onward and Porter's entire division is routed, and Hunderds of Prisinors taken. In The center, Hentzilman and Banks Bayonet charge to try to win the day. The charge ends at the muzzles of Anderson's division and some canister breaks the yankee invader. General E. Kirby was wounded in the charge and General Launman was hit seriously, so three generals on the other side hit. R.H. Anderson siezes the moment and leads his division foward in a counter attack. Union defenders fire a shot and Run down the hill, raising hands in surrender. D. H. draws his saber out and brings the men in advance. Banks on the Confederate right tries to get out while he can. On the left, McDowell takes command of the army and brings his reserve division fowaed against Longstreet's assault. Longstreet is temporaily stalled as McDowell and Porter organize a resistance. Finnaly, Jubal Early's Louisianians and Georgians arrive and charge McDowell's Flank, and smash it. J. E. B. Stuart brings his three cavalry brigades in a saber charge that sends Porter Fleeing, but at the Height of the Charge the gallent Stuart is hit in the arm. Longstreet brings Mclaws men in a charge and sends the union fleein in confusion, the union right crumbled. Anderson's Texas brigade charges and smashes bank's division. The entire union army was in flight and in between to oncoming forces, but amazingly escapes the clutches of Lee and make it safely back in a disorganized rout to washington D. C.
The battle was a splendid victory, the union lost 12,648 men and the confederates lost a mere 4,081 for the victory. The leaderless union army lost 33% cassualties, a third of their number.
The victory showed somethings about the officers, in the I corps-
Lt. General James Longstreet, commander,
A brilliant officer, the flank attack perfect. Completely justifies promotion.
Major general Laffayete Mclaws, division commander- A great officer, led the attack spearhead. Fully capable for divisional command and higher assignment. A superb officer.
Major general JEB stuart- A great officer that has an aggresive personality. His charge broke the enemies lines, he will be missed during his recovery.
Lt. General D. H. Hill, commander III corps-A great officer, his defense of Turkey knob with three to one odds was magnificent. A combat officer, should definitly be rewarded with his defense. Excpecting great things to come.
Major General R. H. Anderson, divisional commander- Anderson's defense was superb. A great combat officer, Anderson is the rising star of the confederate army. Anderson's service is outstanding and should be considered for high command.
Major General Jubal Early-Great officer, drove his men beyond impossible limits to the field. Great officer, possibly not the tactical one but definitly a great officer.
Brigadier General Ben Hugar, commander of the department of the Rapohanock- A poor officer at best, should never take field command. His service was slow and non-commital.
General Robert E. Lee- America's greatest war hero, can I say more.
That's the battle, additionly, two new divisions have been created and will report to the I and III corps to strengthen their ranks.
God be with you all!
