American Civil War battles

'The Hornet's Nest' - from my own depiction of the battle of 
Shiloh April 6 1862.

I've recently discovered a whole series of videos of animated narratives of American Civil War battles. The technique is simple, units shown are rectangles representing regiments moving around on a map. The view zooms in on local actions, and zooms out for more general overviews. The spoken narrative is delivered in something of a monotone, but is easy to understand as one follows the action.

Here's the Battle of Shiloh - it goes for 95 minutes. I think there is a shorter 'Day 1' (April 6 1862) video as well. Highly recommended.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP-taTxJTMQ

Major-General Montgomery J. Klaxon, CSA

A Portable Shiloh - the narrative concludes

 

We left the narrative last time with the battle lines appreciably thinning out. The last of Hardee's brigades in action, Cleburne's, is finally halted; Pond, from Ruggles's Division, takes up the running on the Owl Creek flank. In the centre, Polk's Corps is taking over, largely, from Hardee and Bragg. Breckinridge is coming up on the right. The Union brigades of Hurlbut and W.H.L. Wallace are bearing the burden of the defence, still hoping for the timely arrival of Lew Wallace's Division.

The last of McClernand's Division disappears, leaving Tuttle and McArthur brigades to hold the line if they can.

Stiff fighting as the Confederates are held up in the Peach Orchard. To lever the Federals off their line, Bowen strikes into Lauman's flank beyond the orchard. All along the line Union losses continue to be disproportionately heavier than the Confederates' - 7 Strength Points to 4 in the above picture.

The situation is not improved for the Union in the picture that follows (above). Eleven SP to 6 in this - the numbers all the same indicating heavy fighting. The 'ones' on the dice denote brigades that scored no hits at all in this round of fighting. Having said that, we observe that Hildebrand, almost surrounded, and only remnants still with the colours, getting a a few licks against their adversaries (Stephens's brigade). But this proved to be Hildebrand's last stand - the unit giving way at last.

Nearby, A.P. Stewart, with artillery and cavalry support, engages Williams and Veatch, both also reduced by earlier fighting.



Close by Owl Creek, Pond and Anderson strike the brigades of Sweeny and Tuttle. Despite their inferior numbers against fresh opponents, the Union brigades give as good as they take. But, for the Union, 'as good as you take' is a losing proposition. Numbers are telling.  The remains of Cleburne's brigade takes time out from the battle, as, in the distance Russell's brigade encounters McArthur - the last Union brigade to enter the fight.

The Union lines are looking woefully thin! They can scan in vain the northern horizon for the arrival of Lew Wallace's men.

The whole of the Union line north of the Peach Orchard has collapsed, with only McArthur's brigade apparently standing between the triumphant Confederate army and Pittsburgh Landing.  For all that, the Confederate brigades are also looking more than a little shopworn. 

Nothing remains of Hurlbut's Division as an organised force north of the Peach Orchard as his lines are overrun.  But events elsewhere are about to take a sudden turn...

The afternoon having advanced into evening, and the Union lines in a state of collapse, Lew Wallace arrives in the field at last. The leading brigade of Hoosiers and Show-Me-Staters enter the fight off the march to support Sweeny and to cover the march of Thayer and Whittlesey behind McArthur's brigade.

All this while, the crowd of fugitives around Pittsburgh Landing continues to grow. There will be no rallying these people until something, somehow, brings to a halt the Confederate advance. 

Tenuous though the line of W.H.L. Wallace's Division is, the Confederates are not for the moment able to exploit - the sudden disappearance of the Union lines immediately to their front creating a broader 'no man's land' between them and the substantive Union line.  As a result, the Wallaces' Divisions are able to form a solid line to face the final Rebel push.

Pond's brigade strikes first to crush the remnants of Sweeny's brigade, and pushes on to hit Morgan Smith. A promising prelude to the final assault?

By this time, with the fading evening light, the Union has at last formed a coherent line. The battle lines have been drawn for the final assault.

This was to be the climax of the action.

From the west (distance) to east (closer) the action runs as follow. Pond and Anderson attack Morgan Smith's line from front and flank. Under the eye of Lew Wallace himself, steady Union volleys break Anderson's brigade, although Pond's telling attack bent back Smith's flank. The departure of Anderson from the fight gave Pond pause. To the right of Anderson, Russell's brigade also broke itself to pieces attacking Thayer's brigade, where Ulysses S. Grant had placed his person to oversee the battle.

A.P. Stewart enjoys rather better success - possibly striking before Whittlesey has properly formed his line. Nevertheless, despite heavy losses, Whittlesey is able to stand his ground. 

The decisive battle of the evening belongs to McArthur. Already having seen some of the action, McArthur sees half his brigade fall, but in the process, he repulses the Confederate attacks decisively. Bowen's brigade withers away in fruitless assaults on McArthur's flank, and although Bushrod Johnson inflicts heavy casualties on the Union brigade, he gets rather the worse of the bargain. In taking 2 SP loss, McArthur hands out five to the two brigades in front of him!

Altogether, in this climactic struggle, the Union takes eight Strength Points loss, and inflicts eleven.

That was the deciding moment of the day. Night was setting in, half the Confederate line had been definitively shattered - three brigades having been eliminated altogether - and, by the time Breckinridge's fresh brigades might be brought into action, total darkness would have fallen. 

I called the action, here, as it was by no means clear that the Confederacy would have enjoyed any more success than they had achieved to this point.  I might have continued the action into the following day, reconstituting the wreckage of both armies, and bringing in Buell's Army of the Ohio from across the river, where it was arriving at about the time Lew Wallace was entering the battle. Of course, the tide would have gone the other way. 

A Portable Shiloh - The Narrative continues...

The narrative continues with this general view looking southwest from near Pittsburgh Landing. The Confederates have overrun the camps of Sherman and Prentiss Divisions, though the latter is still holding in front of the Peach Orchard with the remnants of his command. Wood's brigade of Hardee's Corps has pushed well ahead of the Confederate front line to encounter part of McClernand's camps, where Raith's brigade is still struggling to organise. However, the lead Confederate formations are also showing signs of wear and tear...

Not far from the Tennessee River, Chalmers's brigade runs into Stuart (detached from Sherman's Division). With artillery support and the backing of 4th Ohio Cavalry, Stuart is ready to give a good account of himself. Both sides claw each other to ribbons. In a short, sharp and scorching firefight, the 4th Ohio scatters, and little remains of Chalmers's or Stuart's commands.

In front of the Peach Orchard, Gladden also reaches his high tide. Little is left of Prentiss's Division, but what there is repulses Gladden's attack in short order. To Gladden's left, matters are also going awry for the Confederacy. Williams's of Hurlbut's Division throws back Shaver's brigade (obscured by trees) with heavy loss...

... then turns upon Gladden's depleted command. However, the latter gives as good as it takes, and still holds the line awaiting the arrival of reserves from Bragg or Polk.

Meanwhile, on the other flank, S.A.M. Wood's brigade, led by General Hardee himself, runs into Hare's brigade, with Major-Genl McClernand directing the defence in person. Together with the support of his own and Sherman's artillery, and Hildebrand's brigade as well, the Union line brings Wood's headlong advance to a sudden halt.

The general situation now shows the Confederates have been brought to a halt a little north of Shiloh Church and at the Peach Orchard. Two of Hardee's brigades have been worn down, as have a couple of Withers's brigades. The Union lines have now consolidated, but W.H.L. Wallace's 2nd Division has yet to be committed.

Fresh Confederate brigades arrive to relieve the depleted first line. Gibson and Anderson attack Hare's brigade, whilst, to their right, Stephens collides with Hildebrand (Sherman) and Jackson stops Williams (Hurlbut). Now all of Bragg's Divisions have been committed to battle. 

Bushrod Johnson, of Cheatham's Division (Polk's Corps) takes over from Gladden the battle around the Peach Orchard. But the fight will be the tougher as Lauman's brigade (Hurlbut) has established a line within and around the Orchard, whilst Prentiss still holds a line to their left. Sidney Johnston's army will have more tough work ahead...

All this while Maj-Genl John C. Breckinridge has been bringing his Corps over to the extreme right flank behind Chalmers's Brigade. Chalmers's command has wrecked itself with attacks upon Stuart's brigade, but the latter, itself much reduced has fallen back upon Prentiss's left flank. 

Marching up beside Oak Creek, Hardee's last brigade in action, is supported by Pond's brigade of Bragg's Corps. Some distance ahead, Sweeny's brigade of Wallace's Division awaits them. Beside them, Tuttle awaits the outcome of the firefight McClernand is having with Anderson and Gibson. Hildebrand faces superior numbers of Stephens's brigade, and, near the crossroads, a deadly duel is developing between Williams and Jackson.

Savage fighting erupts just north of Shiloh Church. The Union line takes a terrible mauling, but the Confederates are themselves taking considerable hurt. Gibson's brigade in particular takes heavy losses from Hare's brigade - all that is left of McClernand's Division.

The Confederates enjoy more success nearer the right. B.R. Johnson inflicts heavy losses upon Lauman in the Peach Orchard, and Gladden is still there, trading long bowls with Veatch's brigade, to the right rear of the Orchard.

The action is now general, all along the line. Although several brigades have been worn down, the Confederates still have several in reserve, including Breckinridge's entire command. Meanwhile, the Union still has W.H.L. Wallace's Division as yet uncommitted. Of major concern to Major-Genl Ulysses S. Grant: what is happening with the other Wallace, Lew? Surely he will be marching to the guns. But... when, if ever, will he arrive? Could he come up betimes, to reverse the tide of battle?

Confederate Brigades from three Corps - Cleburne, Anderson, Pond and Russell - are piled up alongside Oak Creek, continuing to push forward. To their right, however, Gibson is finished, pretty much, just a quarter of his brigade still in action. To their front, Hare's brigade is almost as badly depleted, as is what little remains of Hildebrand, still gallantly holding his portion of the line.

Approaching the crossroads, Jackson seems to have caught a Tartar, locked in a firefight with one of Hurlbut's brigades. Directing the action, Maj.Genl Withers falls, fatally wounded. Behind Jackson, Brig.Genl A.P. Stewart, together with Cheatham's artillery, awaits his turn for battle. 

Cheatham himself directs the fight around the Peach Orchard. Despite heavy losses, Prentiss and Lauman refuse to budge.

Now seems the moment for Confederate leaders to fall in battle,

for some reason straying into Cleburne's brigade, just then running into part of W.H.L. Wallace's Division, Brig.Gen Dan Ruggles receives a fatal blast of canister from Sweeny's guns.

Much of Hardee's and Bragg's Corps having been seen off by stubborn Union resistance, elements of Polk's Corps, Russell and Stephens, enter the action. The blue lines to their front look woefully thin...

By this time, Breckinridge's command is getting close to the action. His leading brigade, Bowen's, strikes what little remains of Stuart after his earlier duel with Chalmers. Owing to nearby events. Prentiss has drawn his line back into Stuart's right rear. 

Fresh Confederate brigades renews the battle as the Union line once again begins to buckle. Bushrod Johnson pushes Lauman out of the Peach Orchard position, forcing Prentiss also to fall back. Jackson and A.P Stewart begin herding Veatch and William's depleted command away from the crossroads.




Bowen immediately brushes aside Stuart. Prentiss offers Stuart some artillery support, but without effect.

Pushing through the Peach Orchard B.R. Johnson shatters Lauman's command. Little remains to flee northward. But, immediately to the west, Veatch hands out an equally decisive drubbing to Jackson's brigade. 

 
Misfortune visits the Union on the Western flank. McClernand is finally driven from the field. The brigades of Sweeny and Tuttle also get the worse of their encounter with Cleburne and Anderson.

Following up his defeat of Stuart, Bowen charges into the ghost of Prentiss's Division. Although the latter continues to put up a gallant fight - for which Prentiss would later not only survive his court martial, but receive shortly after the newly minted Congressional Medal of Honour - the charge by the victorious Rebs would be irresistible. All the same, it was a considerably reduced brigade with which Bowen followed up his victory.

At about this time Union gunboats began to appear close by Pittsburgh Landing.

As the afternoon wore on, the lines of both sides were looking very threadbare. The Confederates were still pushing forward against defences that were crumbling, but, apart from two of Breckinridge's brigades, and a couple more near Owl Creek, few were the reserves available to push replenish spent formations.  For their part, the Union army was in even worse state. Almost nothing was left of Sherman and Prentiss; and very little of McClernand. Hurlbut was still in the fight - even doing well - but was facing lengthening odds. 

... And Lew Wallace was still on the road, somewhere between Pittsburgh Landing and Stoney Lonesome...

To be concluded...