Rear Guard Action

Three weeks after the Confederate's defeat at Blue Creek the Union army pushed forward with several rearguard skirmishes. When their lead element came in sight of Red Mill crossroad, it was clear that the Rebs were prepared to stop the Union pursuit.

The Rebs were deployed with 1 brigade and a battery on their right flank with another brigade and 3 batteries on a low ridge south of the road. No reserves were visible but there was lots of dead ground and General Kinch could be seen on the long ridge and that, always meant a fight.

After a short conference, the orders were issued. The 1st Division of 2 brigades and 1 battery would make an immediate attack on the farm on the Union left front. The 2nd Division's brigades  would deploy as soon as they reached the field and would receive orders to support the 1st Division or to assault the ridge. The 2nd Division artillery was joined by the Corps artillery and began a prolonged bombardment on the Reb artillery on the ridge. 

The leading brigade deployed quickly and headed straight for the enemy but the hail of rifle and artillery fire caused severe casualties and they were forced to fallback. The division commanded rallied them in person and ordered them to form a reserve and await further orders. The 2nd brigade renewed the fight, supported by Ross's Brigade from the 2nd Division.

The fighting was fierce with heavy casualties on both sides but when Cesar's Zouaves and the Black Hats closed in with a loud cheer, the Rebs fell back hastily. 

For a short while, the battle became a static firefight while the Federal reserves deployed and some of the guns were moved forward.

While the Rebs couldn't risk leaving the Western and road completely unguarded, they had no choice but to shift as many troops to their right as they could manage to stop the advance of the Federal left wing. 

The close fighting was bloody but the Yanks had more men, supported by concentrated artillery firing on the ridge. One more charge by the best Union infantry, broke the Rebel right flank which was defending the stone walls by the Red Mill. The Union now had access to the main road and the eastern back road. 

General Kinch surveyed the wreck of his division, one Brigade broken, two more on the edge of breaking and half of his guns silenced. It was time to retreat. They'd rally and prepare for another fight, but not today.