Several weeks ago I received a phone call from Welsh Wales informing me that an old adversary would be in the neighbourhood for a game during February and that he was bringing along a visitor, could I fix something up. It was an opportunity to enjoy a wargame, test a theory and possibly help out the new editor of the Zouave. Having access to the Official Records I am constantly surprised at the differing interpretation each participant may have of the same battle and I wondered if this would apply to the miniature version. If the lively conversation in the pub and follow up phone calls were anything to go by then the indications were that it would.

Having chosen Drewry's Bluff (see Winter 1996 issue for full details) for the big day I asked each player to hand in a report at the end of the game, paying particular attention to his interpretation of orders, the conduct of his own forces and an overall appreciation of how the battle fared. Both sides have to make some important decisions at Drewry's Bluff.

Although the Union position looks strong, the line is thinly held. Drake can be used as a mobile reserve but once committed to either flank would not be able to intervene quickly elsewhere due to the distances involved, Burnham could possibly be taken out of the line if the centre is not too sorely pressed and Steadman stretched to cover. This means both flanks could then be covered. The question also arises on whether to fight in the forward position or fall back, especially Barton and Sanders who could quite happily hold the works to their rear without any help, freeing Burnham for the centre or right. It would be more dangerous to withdraw the right, as this would bring the Confederate victory conditions of pushing the Federals south of the road so much closer if a disaster overtook the defenders.

At the end of the day I decided to play safe and hold my ground, each commander took two brigades each, Drake was under my control until Confederate intentions could be defined but moved onto the road to enable swift deployment either way.

The only other order sent was during the Rebel breakthrough to General Smith to move to the right, thereby freeing several regiments with which to build up a second line of battle.

Being the aggressors the Confederate choices are even more important, Ransom's Division can really only go forward, but it must be done quickly and with venom. The real puzzle is what to do with the rest of the army, Hoke could also make a swift advance and assault Barton and Sanders thereby drawing Union reserves, if supported by Colquitt this could possibly overwhelm the Union left.

Colquitt may be needed in the centre to watch the flanks of both attacks as these will be vulnerable to Federal artillery once the fog lifts, or perhaps these brigades could add extra power to the main attack on the left. Beauregard opted for an attack by Ransom's Division, supported by Colquitt with Hoke moving left and protecting the extreme right flank of the army. Several orders were relayed during the battle but most were either ignored or the commanders felt they were unable to comply.

The 04:45 map shows the initial dispositions, the later one the furthest Confederate advance, at the close of battle the Union forces were back in their original positions. In the event the consensus was that the Rebel attacks went in piecemeal and were defeated in turn. Gracie and Terry almost smashed Heckman but ran out of steam and were eventually ejected from the woods. Lewis and Fry went in just before the fog lifted and although some local success was achieved both brigades were repulsed with heavy losses.

An hour later, battered by artillery and without any chance of victory, Colquitt threw his men against a waiting Federal line and suffered the same fate. The following reports show the action as the players saw it, in keeping with accuracy they are incomplete, General Smith being unavailable for comment. To avoid confusion I must point out that Ransom's Brigade is led by Brigadier General Matthew Ransom and the Division commanded by Major General Robert Ransom.

HDQRS., in the Field, May 17, 1864 - 1.30 P.m.
His Excellency A. LINCOLN,
President of the United States:

Sir: We met the Rebels yesterday at Drewry's Bluff, where Beauregard attacked U5 in great force. I took personal command of our rightflank and ordered all our forces not to give an inch. I arranged Wead and Heckman's brigades to try and present a double line to the enemy who came on in gallant style. Heckman's brigade took the full brunt of the Rebel thrust and several regiments fled to the rear. In their haste the Rebels had become very disorganised and we took MI advantage of their disarray and poured heavy musketry into their flanks. Further assaults were launched against Wead but as the whole line had shifted to the right our defense was never broken though severely tested. I intend to march on Richmond.

Truly, yours,
BENJ. R BUTLER
Maj.- Gen. Cmdg.

DREWRY'S BLUFF, May 18, 1864
in the field Gen. BUTLER

My command during the 16th consisted of the brigades of Barton and Sanders, supported by two batteries of the Ist US. Artillery, telegraph wire was strung along the front of Sanders' Brigade. The guns were positioned south of the 'Friend' road. At 5:15 the sounds of troops moving was heard through the fog all along our front. The guns were ordered up and opened fire at the sound of advancing Rebels. Rebel artillery was brought up but the fire was aimed at Burnham's Brigade. Things got too hotfor them and they eventually withdrew. About this time a firefight developed on my front, my regiments took casualties but the Rebels took the worst of it. More Rebels appeared in ftont of Sanders. A regiment from Burnham advanced in support of Sanders. The wire and a hail of musketry disrupted the Secesh line, as further National units closed on their flank the Rebels had had enough and withdrew. My forces were ably supported by the batteries of the Ist U.S. Artillery throughout the contest,

I remain sir, your most humble and obedient servant,
WILLIAM TH. BROOKS

DREWRY'S BLUFF, May 18 1864 - 5 P.M.
Gen. BEAUREGARD

This report concerns the attacks of the brigades of Lewis and Fry under General Ransom's command which were made on the centre of the Union line deployed in a woods to the east of the Friend house. I understood one of our brigades was to punch a hole in the Union line and that it was to be exploited by the remainder of the division followed by Gen. Colquitt. How the attacks were to be co-ordinated was never properly explained.

We advanced under cover of a dense fog at 4:45 a. in., the 14th and 53rd Virginia regiments were transferred to Gracie (under your command) to bolster your assault, which General Ransom remarked was made too early. At 5:45 we engaged the Federals in a desperate firefight. It was about this time that Col. Fry received a wound and was carried to the rear. Gen. Ransom's intention was to soften the Federal line and await Gen. Colquitt to form on his right. Although you charged with Gracie and Terry it was felt that we had not weakened the enemy sufficiently to assault and were still waiting for Gen. Colquitt.

At 6 a.m. we attacked, I could see our troops being pushed back on the left as the 21st Georgia and 57th Virginia led by their brave officers charged, another small breach in the Yankee line was made and between 7 and 7.15 the rest of our force surged forward, A short time later I saw the brigades to my left give way, about this time I was informed that Gen. Ransom and Col. James, who had taken over from poor Gen. Fry, had been captured by the enemy. I endeavoured to rally our troops but it was to no avail, as the fog lifted I could see Gen. Colquitt come into line, too late to stem the tide. Colquitt attacked unsupported and failed.

I remain sit, your obedient servant
WILLIAM G. LEWIS, Commanding Division

DREWRY'S BLUFF, May 18 1864 - 10 a.m.
Gen. BEAUREGARD

Having formed my division in line behind the works, I delayed advancing into the thick fog until 5:45 a.m. when Colquitt's division arrived. However Gen. Colquitt had been ordered to take up a position to the left and was not able to support my advance. As a result my advance halted when we came upon the enemy line. I learned that our far left under your command had been unsuccessful and as I did not have sufficient strength to press home an effective attack I retired my division along with the rest of our forces. In hindsight I believe that had I been given the support of Colquitt's Division I would have been able to take the enemy's left flank and in doing so help our assaults on the enemy right flank. Both assaults would have had to have been executed simultaneously in order to achieve victory.

I have the honour to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant
ROBERT F. HOKE, Maj. Gen.

RICHMOND, May 22, 1864
Gen. BEAUREGARD

At 4:45 a.m. the forward elements of my division crossed the start line with orders to negotiate the redoubt and support the right flank of Ransom's Division. This manoeuvre took longer than expected in the fog and the lead regiment, the 49th North Carolina were hit by artillery fire which caused the regiment to make to the rear. Over the next few hours my division suffered a number setbacks and delays whilst continuing to protect the right flank of Ransoms Division. At approximately 10:30 a.m. I received orders to bring my division behind Ransom to attack the Yankees, during manoeuvres to achieve this the 25th North Carolina attacked and captured the 10th New Hampshire regiment of the enemy. During the last throes of the action Ransom's Brigade flung itself on the Yankee line causing some infantry and gunners to rout, the effort unfortunately was in vain, as soon after the division received the order to withdraw,

Your servant, sir
Gen. ALFRED H. COLQUITT

HDQRS., May ig, 1864.
His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS,
President Confederate States:

Mr. PRESIDENT: Early in the morning of May 16 it was discussed and made very clear that the emphasis of our attack would be by the brigades of Gracie, Terry, Lewis and Fry against Heckman and Wead. General Hoke was to maintain his position and await developments. Gen. Colquitt was to take post on the right of Lewis thereby protecting the flank of the attack. As the battle progressed Gen. Ransom advanced without support to engage the enemy, Colquitt coming upon the works made painfully slow progress and only reached his designated position too late to support the attack eftectively, Gen. Hoke was ordered later to move forces to the right to support Colquitt, although by the time these orders were received he had moved forward and engaged the enemy. The attack of Ransom's Division, although initially successful suffered through lack of mutual support between the brigades, leading to the eventual destruction of the whole division, Gen. Colquitt arrived after this sad affair and in a series of glorious if somewhat desperate charges this division was also repulsed

With great respect,
R G. T BEAUREGARD

The Players

Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler : George Anderson
Maj. Gen. William F. Smith : Robert Thomson
Brig. Gen. William T.H. Brooks : David Cochrane
Gen. Pierre G.T. Beauregard : Billy Stephens
Maj. Gen. Robert Ransom/Col. Wil. G. Lewis : Mark Armstrong
Maj. Gen. Robert F. Hoke : Allan Stewart
Brig. Gen. Alfred H. Colquitt : Tim Baldwin