Gordon's Flank Attack - May 6, 1864
A storyboard is a set of drawings, arranged in sequence on panels, outlining the scenes that make up the story. These storyboards are in the format of a map. Their purpose is to identify and locate the army units that are pertinent to the story. The maps are a series of snapshots to illustrate the maneuvers and engagements. Army units are generally shown at the brigade level, unless it is necessary to show particular regiments, or at the division level when the maneuver of its brigades are not relevant to the story. Only units applicable to the story are shown. The circa 1864 farms, clearings, and farm-roads were added based on 19th century maps and the 1981 National park overlay. The storyboards were drawn to scale, provided on each, but do not contain a latitude–longitude grid.
Each storyboard is a step in time as the sun rises and sets, followed by a moonless night.
FOR VIEWER PERSPECTIVE, THE MAPS BELOW SHOW THE CURRENT FLAT RUN ROAD (LIME GREEN) AND THE ROADS OF LAKE OF THE WOODS (ORANGE/DARK ORANGE).
“The Story of Gordon’s Flank Attack”, Peter G. Rainey, 2016
Dawn
Both sides ordered general attacks on each other to start the second day. It is also the time when General Gordon formulated his plan for a flank attack.
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Morning
Ewell’s division had ceased offensive action and decimated Sedgwick’s attacking regiments. Grant had ordered Ferrero and associated units from Burnsides 9th corps to report to General Sedgwick. It is also the time that General Early’s reasons for denying General Gordon’s request were no longer applicable; General Burnside had moved on and General Sedgwick had ordered the 3rd New York Cavalry back across Germanna Ford. Nevertheless, General Early remained firm that General Gordon’s plan was too risky.
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AFTERNOON
All the forces under General Sedgwick were near to the position they would hold later that day. General Johnston’s North Carolina regiment arrived; it was placed in Early’s division and stationed at Reynold’s farm on Early’s far left. General Early and General Ewell decided to order General Johnston to report to General Gordon. As the sun is lowering, they ordered General Gordon to attack, however only Early’s division is ordered to support the attack.
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4 - 6 PM
All frontal attacks cease. Gordon is finally given permission to attack. While it is inferred that Ewell’s entire line was to participate, in fact only Early’s division moved forward!
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ATTack
General Gordon had maneuvered his force quietly and out of sight of Sedgwick’s corps right flank. He stretched his sharpshooters along a 700 yard line with two more lines of infantry behind them. General Johnston was put on his left and to the rear with orders to sweep along behind the Union line. At this time, General Sedgwick had already called his two right flank commanders to his headquarters, and they in turn had told their men to stack arms and make fires.
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ATTack + 15 minutes
400 sharpshooters fired against targets silhouetted against their campfires and 400 casualties occurred. They are followed by infantry at the quick who get off one or two shots. The missing 6th corps regiment commanders are captured as they return to the front only to find it occupied by the Georgians. Several hundred of Sedgwick’s troops are captured as thousands flee east and north. The rest of Early’s division is poorly led and the planned coordination of forces never occurs. Fratricide is prevalent on both sides.
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Twilight
During the next hour, some regiments stay put while others traverse over a mile. Command broke down on both sides. General Early panicked at the loss of the staff officer assigned to guide the Hoffman brigade and recalled the supporting troops. With the other divisions in Ewell’s corps having never received an order to support General Gordon, he is now only supported by General Johnston. By the end of twilight, General Johnston was almost captured; he then panicked and recalled his brigade
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moonless night
As fugitives flew into General Grant’s and General Meade’s camps, the generals took action. General Grant ordered General Ferrero to get the wagon trains to safety and General Meade to establish a new defensive line on a high ridge above Keaton Run. General Meade’s staff ordered reinforcements from the 5th corps including Neill’s entire brigade and Crawford’s brigade. Sometime that night General Gordon escaped capture. All events recorded that night where confined to a view of no more than 50 yards. While some documented heated combat, others reported spending a quiet night. Even writings from members of the same regiment vary drastically. It is written about Crawford’s brigade that either they were responsible for stopping Gordon’s attack or they were the third line back and never fired a shot. The only fact about that night without dispute is that Sedgwick’s corps retreated two miles after having spent the previous 36 hours holding their line.
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Once again, the above is based upon participants’ personal accounts, mostly in letters home, but also in official reports.
TO SEE THE NPS SHORT DESCRIPTION OF GORDON’S FLANK ATTACK: CLICK HERE
