Some historians credit Grant's decision on the night of May 6, 1864, to head south along Brock Road rather than returning across the Rapidan River as one that had the most impact on the conduct of the war. Surely, as the Federal soldiers cheered when their column veered south on Brock Road they could not have anticipated the vicious fighting that would ensue because of their commander's decision. General Robert E. Lee and his tough veterans would contest every cross road and bridge in the Army of Potomac's path southward toward Richmond.

28mm Reb cavalry from the Foundry (painted by John Byrant) versus 22mm Yankee cavalry from Musket Miniatures (painted by Ivor Janci).

If Grant's plan for having the Army of the Potomac break out of the Wilderness was to work, Meade would have to get his Corps to the Spotsylvania Court House before Lee arrived. To get there first, the Federals needed control of Brock Road.

Just south of Hancock's II Corps positions in the Wilderness lies Todd's Tavern, at the juncture of the Brock and Catharpin/Piney Branch Church Roads. Wilson's beaten cavalry division had occupied positions there since their thrashing by Rosser's Cavalry on May 5th. On the evening of May 6th, Sheridan withdrew Wilson from his positions around the cross road allowing Major General Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry division to take the positions and who now blocked the Federals route to Spotsylvania.

Sheridan was given the job of retaking Todd's Tavern and clearing the road south to Spotsylvania Court House for which he devised a plan which he executed flawlessly. The Federal 1st Cavalry Division, now under the command of General Wesley Merritt, was to head west from their position just south of Chancellorsville to Brock Road and then head south on Brock Road to Todd's Tavern.

Meanwhile, the 2nd Cavalry under the command of David Gregg would take the Catharpin-Piney Branch Church Road west past the Piney Branch Church and meet up with Merritt at Todd's Tavern.

The Federals started their ride at about 7 A.M. on the 7th, with Merritt reaching the tavern first. When Gregg appeared on Fitz Lee's flank, Fitz Lee took the better part of valor and pulled his two brigades back about a mile south of Todd's Tavern on Brock Road. Gregg continued west toward Corbin's Bridge while Merritt pursued Lee. Gregg ran into Rosser's brigade about a mile west of the Tavern and although hotly contested, was able to push them back to the Corbin's Bridge. But Merritt's pursuit came to an abrupt stop.

Fitz Lee's brigades had constructed log works across and on either side of Brock Road. The Federal troopers slowly pushed back Lee's men but at a terrible cost. When the day ended, Merritt had possession of the works but had not cleared the road to Spotsylvania. Then for some unexplained reason, Merritt pulled his troopers back to the tavern where they laid out on the road to sleep!

Gregg had faired no better after reaching Corbin's Bridge. just in time, Hampton arrived with the other two brigades of his division and pushed Gregg back the way he came. Then around midnight, Meade rode up to the Tavern to direct the movement of his army south. He became furious at the sight of sleeping troops laying on the road and called for Sheridan. Meade ordered Merritt and Sheridan in uncertain terms to get up and finish clearing Brock Road.

The morning of May 8th found the Federal cavalry still struggling to reach Spotsylvania Court House. The arrival of the V corps finally pushed Lee's cavalry to within two miles of the Court House, but the Federals had lost the inside track. Lead elements of Anderson's Division rushed up to the aid of their beleaguered fellows and stopped the Federal advance. A two week bloody stalemate followed which has come to be known as the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House.

More Brock and Orange Courthouse Road, VA May 7-8, 1864

Introduction and Historical Background
Scenario
Large Scenario Map (very slow: 284K)
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