Blocher's Knoll Turns One through Three

I was able to get in three turns this morning. Events proceeded quickly. Dole and Gordon launched a joint attack on the knoll. The rebel artillery hammered the lone Union battery atop the knoll, but not before it punished one of Gordon's regiments. Gordon's left iis hit hard by the artillery

Dole's Georgians drive in von Gilsa's skirmish line

On Dole's right, he engages Ames's men coming up in support

Early's artillery does significant damage to the artillery atop the knoll and the Rebs outgun the Yankees on the west

Turn two- The Confederates press their attack all along the line. Gordon is able to drive back a regiment in skirmish order, but Dole is humilieated when two of his regiments are stopped cold by another unit in skirmish order. The steep terrain surely played a part in this defeat. Dole's other two regiments charge Ames's men in a field but are only partially successful.

Atop the summit, the rebel guns continue to punish what's left of the Union battery there. A 10 is rolled. Von Gilsa has to check the leader casualty table. Another 10 is rolled and he is killed outright. Barlow will have to take provisional command of von Gilsa's brigade. Coster's regiments rush down the road to defend the right flank. Will histhree regiments be able to hold back Hays and Hoke?

On the other flank, Kryzanowski's brigade advances to turn Dole's right. A volley is fired at a battery of artillery that is advancing with the infantry. Yet another 10 is rolled and the battery loses one of its two stands. General Schurz has to roll. The result is that his horse is shot from under him. He will be on foot for turn three.

Turn three- Dole is desperate to seize the objective. He urges the men forwar. They destroy the 68th New York and continue on into the 17th Conneticut, driving them back as well. It is a costly victory, however, as General Dole is killed in the process.

General Gordon, usually a very reliable officer, is struggling this day. His North Carolinians are unable to get beyond the base of the knoll. Casualties mount with little to show for them. Coster contributes one of his regiments to aid in keeping Gordon stuck at the stream.

Both Hays and Hoke come on to the field. Hays marches directly down the road. Hoke moves cross country being delayed by the many fence lines that criss cross his path.

So far, it has been a disappointing start for the rebels. Union resistance on the knoll has been determined. The loss of General Dole will make organizing a defense on the right very difficult. It will be up to Gordon to turn things around by gaining controll of the knoll and getting some of his guns up there to slow down Schurz's attack.