Rodes Attack on Oak Ridge, Day One, Gettysburg

Carrying on from our previous Gettysburg game, my attention turned to Rodes' attack against Oak Ridge that afternoon.

Confederate General Robert E Rodes, commanding the 2nd Corps had five brigades of infantry backed up by four batteries of artillery.

Opposed to them on and around Oak Ridge were elements of Robinson's 2nd Division, I Corps remnants of Cutler's Brigade (1st Division, I Corps) and the 45th New York, part of Schimmelfennig's 1st Brigade, 3rd Division of XI Corps. The only artillery support they had was two guns from Dilger's Battery, XI Corps.   

This picture shows Henry Baxter's 2nd Brigade of 2nd Division, I Corps on Oak Ridge, the 45th New York  lining out in front of Hagy Farm on the right and Gabriel Paul's 1st Brigade coming up the road. Tucked away in the woods, licking their wounds, are the remnants of Cutler's Brigade which got mauled earlier in the morning.

Here's Cutler trying to rouse them !

Here come the Rebs !  Crossing Forney Ridge, Iverson's Brigade of North Carolinians

At the same time O'Neal's Brigade of Alabamans crosses the fields by Fry's Battery

They are heading for the Mummasburg Road crossing

Baxter's men await the onslaught

Here we see Paul's men trying to get to the front as quick as they can

Baxter watches the advancing Rebel hordes

The 45th New York are receiving the attention of Confederate gunners

There are plenty of them up on Oak Hill

Iverson now gives the order to charge across the fields

Union defenders prepare to fire

Some of Baxter's men have taken fire from the Confederate artillery, softening up before the bayonets go in

Paul's men arrive at the base of the ridge as others move to support the 45th New York

Only just in time as the Rebels approach the snake fences

Baxter's men steel themselves

everywhere they look there are approaching enemy regiments

Charge !

Hot work

even Cutler's men get involved

can they hold on ?

assailed from two sides

and more Rebels trimming to attack the 45th New York

but Cutler's brittle command give way immediately and are pursued by some of Iverson's troops

Likewise, one of Baxter's regiments (11th Pennsylvania) have been fallen back as the Confederates cross the fencing

But up on the ridge, the rest of the brigade hold firm, if somewhat battered

The 45th New York are hard pressed by Doles' men

But here come Colonel Roy Stone's 2nd Brigade from 3rd Division from the direction of the Chambersburg Pike

Paul's men have been able to reinforce the ridge defence

and his other units witness the first Confederate attack against Hagy Farm

Stone's men threaten the flank of Iverson's brigade

hopefully drawing their attention away from Baxter's waivering regiments on the edge of the ridge

the main ridge line is still secure though

but the Confederates have not gone away !

they regroup for another attack

The Alabama troops renew their assault 

and fresh troops join the attack around the other side of the ridge

Doles' men have beaten back the New Yorkers and now threaten Dilger's gunners

Hard pressed Rebels have been shaken by the Union men on the road

Now further Confederate regiments charge forwards on the left wing to attack Hagy Farm

some of Iverson's men turn to face Stone's brigade

they force most of the enemy before them back into the fields

but the base of the ridge is still under threat

a lull in the fighting as the Rebels pull back to reform

no respite the the other side of the ridge

waves of rebels attack again 

At this point, orders were received from the Corps commanders, Robinson and Doubleday, to pull back as the position was becoming untenable and Confederate forces outflanking beyond this part of the battlefield.

Several of Baxter's regiments had taken quite a beating trying to hold the ridge, so the recall was a welcome order.  Stone's men were ordered to cover the retreat towards Gettysburg.

Another fun game of Regimental Fire and Fury.