Negley's 2nd Division
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General Stevenson's Division of four brigades has been in a reserve position covering the two main bridge approaches to Murfreesboro since 1.00pm. Bragg's caution on this day has been down to the vagaries of fate, ( a die roll of 1 ) , which is very good news for Rosecrans. Re-orders from Bragg cannot occur until 6.00pm. Stevenson has posted 3 brigades near the main bridge crossing point of the Stones river. Taylor's 4th brigade has moved north to the first bridge along the Lebanon turnpike as a caution, since rebel wounded and fleeing stragglers from Minty's cavalry attack have been spreading wild rumours of large bodies of federal cavalry operating in the northwest and bearing down on Murfreesboro from this direction.
[video=youtube_share;OQF0n1i2En4]http://youtu.be/OQF0n1i2En4[/video]
All together now....." Her eyes are bright as diamonds ,....they sparkle like the dew..the Yellow rose of texas.....is the only girl for me ! " :devil:
Text for Screenshots........2.00 - 3.00pm.
s2.00pm
Zahm's dismounted cavalry are slowly pushing forward, more to ascertain what lies in front of them on this flank, rather than an attempt to take the offensive or take ground; the worry and threat of a wide flank rebel move is always a possibility but judging by the number of rebel regiments being deployed in the open, to the left, the threat cannot be too imposing. So far, all brigades of Mc Cook's wing are holding.
m2.00pm
Sheridan's right flank battery at the Brick Kiln is blowing gaping holes into nearby rebel regiments who refuse to roiut and keep holding their ground. Palmer's infantry are about ready to deploy into line and advance forward between the edges of the rebel line in the woods separated by open ground. Hascall's 1st brigade of Wood's division is still trying to melee the right flank of the rebel , " White Rocks " position but is taking telling loss in close quarter melee..
t2.00pm
Minty's cavalry brigade is chasing down routed rebel units while Van Clkeve's 2nd brigade moves south to add greater weight against the rebel position in the woods north of Wayne's Hill. Fyffe's 1st brigade is precariously placed without support but Price's 3rd brigade has rallied and Walkker's infantry are marching southwards, much to the relief of Capt Morton's Pioneer brigade who are elite troops and can hold their ground, even with flanks unsupported.
s2.20pm
Most of Johnson's 2nd division have broken and run apart from a couple of regiments from Baldwin's brigade. Their fragile state will now leave them as reserve troops. Negley's infantry are giving as good as they are getting and it is self evident that their deployment with McCook has altogether saved the right wing and of course Sheridan's flank; but talk of fortune at this stage is premature as the fat confederate lady has not sung yet and she is big and called, " Mrs Stevenson ".
m2.20pm
Again, Hascal's lead regiments are still unable to break the rebel flank at the " White Rocks ", but are whittling down the defenders. Federal artillery is firing non-stop all along the line to soften up the rebels but has achieved minimal routing among the confederates. Rosecran's great assault is about to begin, comprising 3 Union divisions against the rebel centre. Palmer's infantry are already attracting rebel gun fire but press on regardless, their attack being of vital import.
t2.20pm
The Federal position is being stabilised here. there does not seem to be any rebel re-inforcement from the direction of Murfreesboro, so Minty's cavalry can continue to mop up any rebel units who show themselves out in the open.
s2.40pm
McCook's wing has settled down into a firefight which for the moment is not giving either side an advantage. Rosecrans is happy just to hold the positional lines here, or more importantly, occupy rebel troops to their fronts, so they cannot reinforce the great Union assault on the centre.
m2.40pm
Two regiment's of Grose's 3rd brigade have wheeled quickly to the right and overrun 2 rebel batteries. this was in fact without direct orders as he was supposed to advance immediately forward and engage the rebel infantry regiments to his front, in support of the 1st brigade, but upoon seeingsuch a juicy target with no support infantry and the gunners being enshrouded in smoke , were completely taken by surprise.Hopefully Cruft's 1st brigade can take the firepower which will be unleashed upon himfrom two axes of attack. It seems that Bragg was wary of this hole in his lines and had positioned a brigade in the rear to maybe entice a Union assault. He may regret setting this trap if either side of this gap is exploited. One of Hascal's lead regiments has made a more successful melee asssault and has reduced the guns firing to two. Rousseau and Wood's are throwing their infantry lines forward.
t2.40pm
The rebel defensive line is becoming evident , giving the 2nd brigade a chance to flank and with Walker's fresh infantry approacing the centre, ready to open up a hole in tired rebel lines;things should swing comfortably on the Federal side. The Wayne's Hill position cannot be taken for at least an hour and a half' which is bad news for Wood's 1st division infantry and the central Union assault.
s3.00pm
General Johnson's 1st and 2nd brigades have broken under fire, taking Post's regiments with them. The gap at the Gresham house is unlikely to be exploited as the rebels cannot see through the trees and will probably think that it is a tactical withdrawal. Negley's division is being holed by 2 rebel gun batteries at medium distance and will be hard to dislodge from the open fields, so at least this position is relatively safe and of course, General Sheridan's baulwark position cannot be flanked.
m3.00pm
Rebel gun batteries all along the Union advance are taking a terrible toll of bluecoats. Union officers are desperately shouting orders above the clamour and din of battle. " Hold your line....Keep firing ! " Hascall's 1st brigade is unable to melee the rebel gun position at the white rocks as his lead regiments are disrupted. Union gun batteries are underperforming at the moment causing few losses amongst the rebels at the white rocks position. It will now deend on who breaks first. Rosecrans can only wait and see as he rides up and down in a small perimeter straining his eyes as he looks to the southeast for any rider with good news. the expected rider, however approaches from the rear. An adjutant from Rousseau's third brigade has presented himself. Rosecrans is informed that Starkweather's brigade is approaching and should arrive in 2 hours time.
t3.00pm
Most of Fyffe's men have turned tail except for one regiment which has moved quickly to support the federal gun battery. Walker's brigade is about to join the main fighting line and hopefully split the confederate defence in two. The rebel gun batteries have turned their guns to the southwest so as to shell the flank and rear of Hascall's union brigade as it assaults the rebel white rocks position.