Please do not read the 'spoiler' below until after you have watched the latest video installment.
At this stage of the battle I was still not worried about the centre. Technically, the CSA controlled it as it was flying our flag. We could see that the Union did not have many men close to the centre objective (and had yet to see Osterhaus). I was satisified that we had it covered as Pemberton (Todd) was gradually shifting in that direction as we had agreed. I also felt that the centre objective was also one that, due to its placement, was difficult to defend. The BIG concern was on the Telegraph Road. Usually when there are large Union units they are of lower quality; you shoot them up and it's not too long before they run away. Quite a few units in Sherman's Corps were large and of high quality (the "Yankee Supermen). The Confederate force could not stop them because, even though the Union units were being shot up and disrupted, they rapidly undisrupted and came on again. The concern was that they would break through and move a unit to Edward's Station. Under the rules if any Union unit occupied Edwards' Station the game was immediately over with a Union Major Victory. I believe that if the Union had continued to press their attack they would have broken through to Edwards' Station. The CSA units in that sector were badly damaged with many fatigued and disrupted. I was fortunate in having Todd as a partner because he could see what was happening and had sent a brigade to the east. Due to communication limitations Todd and I were unable to talk during the critical period when the Union could have broken the line on the Telegraph Road. That brigade was critical in 'plugging holes' at the time. When we could talk again Todd and I discussed what to do from that point, but you'll have to wait for the next episode to see what was discussed.
_________________ Paul Swanson Lieutenant-General First Division First Corps Army of Northern Virginia
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