11.00pm 13 Sept 1862 – turn 64

The Rebels at Williamsport are now completely surrounded by my troops but they’re putting up a terrific fight in defence of the town. It looks as if I will have to wear them down by attrition as my infantry are having a hard job taking them on by direct assault.

Pleasonton's troopers have now crossed the Potomac to complete the encirclement of D.H.Hill's command at Williamsport.

Dave has mounted a strong attack from the direction of Downsville presumably with the aim of trying to relieve D H Hill at Williamsport or at least draw my reserves away. However, I had already sent two divisions from Mansfield’s corps south with the idea of preventing such a move and a new fight has developed along the line of a stream south of the Otho Williams farm.

The Rebels attack towards the Otho Williams farm scattering some of my men - but more are on the way!

Elsewhere I have ordered attacks to bring pressure all along the enemy line and stretch the Confederate defenders as much as possible. These attacks have been costly however as Dave still has a very strong gun line all along his front.

 The general situation across the main battlefield at 11.00am.

Somewhere surely the Rebels must have a weak spot but so far I have failed to find it!

8.40am 13 Sept 1862 – turn 57

After some fierce fighting around Tilghmanton I’ve been forced to disengage Sumner and Franklin and contract my left flank. The Rebel guns have continued to cause heavy casualties and it has become clear that any assault by my infantry would have had little chance of success. The Confederates are also disengaging and both sides are starting to shift troops further west.

 The situation around Jones Crossroads as both sides disengage.

Meanwhile Burnside has started to attack D H Hill’s force at Williamsport and I have sent Mansfield up to support him. I also took the decision to order Pleasonton to cross the Potomac at Falling Waters and head northeast to cut off the enemy’s path of retreat from Williamsport. This seems a potentially better use of my cavalry than sending them on a wild goose chase after JEB Stuart.

 Burnside's men close in on D H Hill.

My plan now is to try and eliminate D H Hill’s division at Williamsport by completely encircling it. This should give me enough VP’s for a minor victory. I then hope to launch an attack on Lee’s left flank to seal my victory!

6.20am 13 Sept 1862 – turn 50

“Expect the unexpected” as the used to say at West Point – unfortunately McClellan must have nodded off during that particular class as Dave has played a blinder and definitely caught me napping!

The Rebel guns are deadly in such a forward position and my own men lack the ability to take them head on being mostly C, D and E grade. My only option will be to withdraw before too many units skedaddle.

Under cover of darkness he has concentrated the Divisions of Anderson and McLaws to the north of Tilghmanton and launched a dawn attack into the flank of Sumner’s men catching them in column as they headed towards Jones Crossroads to join up with Franklin and Porter. Fortunately the sheer number of troops I have at hand has blunted the Rebel advance but Dave has cannily placed his artillery in the front line where it has caused heavy casualties amongst my men.

Burnside's men advance against the Rebels at Willaimsport.

Meanwhile at Williamsport I have ordered Burnside to make an attack on the enemy with the aim of keeping them cooped up in the town. The quality of most of Burnside’s troops is pretty poor but they should have enough clout to prevent the Confederates from breaking out and heading south towards Lee’s main force.

The general situation at the end of turn 50 - the red units to the southeast are Stuart's cavaly who have just taken Boonsborough along with 20VPs.

Away to the east Stuart’s cavalry have taken Boonsborough and are now heading north towards Hagerstown. I am starting to concentrate my own cavalry in anticipation that they will be needed shortly to combat this threat.