Before the battle...anticipating the upcoming action. The event scenario was picked randomly and the battle would flow as advantages (and disadvantages) were exploited...
"We arrived as artillery, but mustered-in as infantry; we anxiously await the call to skirmish..."
The scenario determined, the Confederate commanders were given their orders...make contact with the enemy...
"We - a squad of four - were selected as skirmishers; therefore, we would draw - and return - the opening shots..."
We were to make contact with the enemy and press our advantage - or disadvantage - as the skirmish evolved...
"It became very obvious - there would be no pressing here - we had made serious contact..."
We held our ground as long as possible but our firepower was no match; we were obviously outnumbered and could very soon be over-run...
"I could not hear gun-fire from my men and looking around - while attempting to re-load - all guns (save mine) had failed; we were in a hornet's nest without weaponry!"
Obviously, the enemy had been given the same orders to press their advantage if such occurred - it had - and the Yanks started to advance upon us...
"Within moments, the Yanks realized their advantage, and began their advance. First in slow forward-moving formation, then in quick-step, breaking formation. We were in dire straits..."
Realizing the situation was hopeless, the command was given to fall back; we could no longer hold our position...
"Falling back - at first - in good order."
Falling all the way back to the cannons, quickly...
"We held at the line of howitzers, gazing left and right in anticipation of reinforcements..."
Stopping only once to kneel, re-load, and return fire - in a futile attempt to halt the Yankee advance - the big guns around us were curiously silent...
"Save the colors at all cost!"
Falling back behind the cannon muzzles...a bold new command was heard...FIRE...the artillery opened up with a boom...
"The sweet sonnet of big bore guns accompanied by hellfire. The Yanks were stopped here..."
Taking a breather while the big guns wreak havoc, takin stock of what might have been...
"Re-loading the artillery...prick and prime!"
The greatly needed and welcome sight of reinforcements...
"The tables have turned; the much needed infantry regulars have arrived; better late than never..."
The movement of Confederates towards the shattered enemy ranks... advancing the Colors once more...
"Once again...ADVANCE! Reversed fortunes, the Yankee rout is soon to be complete..."
The reason for the rapid halt of the Yankee advance...
"The iron wall of cannon; the play-makers..."
The eyes and ears of the Confederacy...
"The containment and harrassment force that prevented reinforcments..."
