1:06 PM
Newton's Brigade has finally found the enemy lurking in those woods in front of them. Looks like Jubal Early's Brigade, which means there's now a third Confederate division in those woods. We knew about R.H. Anderson (that pesky SC brigade), and Law's Brigade of Whiting's Division are currently trying to turn Slocum's left. Now apparently D.H. Hill is in the mix.
1:07 PM
Speaking of Slocum, he's in some serious trouble. His left is collapsing
fast.
1:09 PM
Franklin's right is in much better shape. George Taylor's Jersey Brigade is quickly forming on Newton's right. But if Slocum collapses, then Newton probably won't be too far behind and then that'll leave only 3,000 men between three Confederate divisions and McCall's position at the Beverly House. Too bad Irvin McDowell is busy sulking in the rear when he
should be telling McCall to brace for a potential massive assault.
(Seriously. The guy's been in the back near the Harris Farm hanging out with the guys from the ammo wagons. He's barely moved a muscle. His only real order of the day was to tell Franklin to find the enemy and then just play it by ear.)
1:11 PM
Things are looking grim at the Shelton Farm. Gorman has been wounded and the 15th MA is missing. The 1st MN and the 82nd NY are trying to get things sorted out but nobody knows what the hell is going on. Alfred Sully of the 1st MN is going to replace Gorman for now.
1:13 PM
Dana's brigade, to the right, is doing much better. The 19th MA got to the top of a little ridge, discovered the 15th VA
again trying to rally, and charged pretty much instantly.
1:14 PM
Burns' Philadelphia Brigade hears this and starts to move towards Dana's right.
1:18 PM
Oh thank god! The 15th MA made it out of there. They're making their way north to the safety of the Landram House, stumbling over the corpses of their fellow Bay-Staters in the process. (Specifically, the 2nd MA Sharpshooters). A pretty morbid scene, but remember these guys were at Ball's Bluff. Nobody will be drowning in the Potomac today.
1:20 PM
Luckily, Davidson's Brigade has been detached from Smith's Division and is now running to the Shelton Farm to help out. The 49th NY ran into some bad luck this morning and got routed, but his other three regiments are in great shape.
1:23 PM
Uh oh. Slocum has gotten himself captured (along with about 50 men from the 16th NY) and now his men are in almost total chaos. That leaves Newton & Taylor, and if they break then my left wing is toast.
1:27 PM
I'm not 100% sure who is the ranking Colonel of Slocum's Brigade, but Joseph Bartlett is doing a pretty good job of rallying his men quick. So I guess he's in charge for the time being.
BRIEF INTERLUDE:
This is Simon Cameron, Secretary of War until January 1862. He's famous for being corrupt, and was also a member of the "Know-Nothing Party" which was basically the KKK except they were slightly less cruel to black people than they were to the Irish. Think "Bill the Butcher" from
Gangs of New York.
When Lincoln called for volunteers to end the rebellion, Governor Curtin of Pennsylvania offered 25 regiments instead of the 14 that was asked. Cameron hated Curtin, so out of spite he refused to accept these "surplus" regiments. Governor Curtin decided to keep these units trained and ready for action at the state's expense. You know...just in case this war lasts longer than 3 months. Can't be too careful.
1:30 PM
Go **** yourself, Cameron. Those "unnecessary" Pennsylvania boys are now heading west from the Beverly Farm to restore Franklin's line.*
*(Colonel James T. Kirk?! Are you kidding me that is awesome)
CASUALTIES (1:00 - 1:30 PM):
USA: 712
CSA: 711
CASUALTIES (Total):
USA: 5,831
CSA: 8,661
(Note: at 14,492 total casualties, this battle is about to surpass Gaines' Mill. Up next would be 2nd Petersburg (June 15-18) at just over 15,000 and Cold Harbor at around 17,000. I suppose I should name the battle at this point. I've chosen
The Battle of Brock Road since that's the one thing connecting the fighting from the Alsop Farm to the Beverly House)