After our previous battle (known as ‘Warrenton Turnpike‘ to us but as the ‘March on Manassas Junction‘ to the Confederate Forces) we spent considerable time manoeuvring and counter-marching, but no further significant action was to arise in the summer of 1861. By Autumn both ourselves and the enemy were busying themselves with establishing winter quarters and stockpiling stores, and receiving reinforcements and additional ordnance. There has been much talk of the last battle, and it’s outcome – news continues to come through from Richmond and elsewhere in the south of the celebrity of my erstwhile opponent dear reader. Colonel A.P.S. Longman is currently the toast of the CSA and if we are to believe everything he may well single-handedly decide this venture, regardless of what any of us may do…!
There has been much change as we get through our fall and winter, shortly after the previously reported major engagement our “Army of Northeastern Virginia” was incorporated, as a Corps, into the new “Army of the Potomac” under one Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan – who seems a fine sort of soldier! Our new Corps remains directly under our old commander from the summer battle, Brig. Gen. Irvin McDowell. In the South we hear that the Confederate “Army of the Potomac” has undergone some changes also – and at the end of winter it is confirmed it has been renamed the “Army of Northern Virginia“.
My brigade receives many reinforcements over the fall and winter; we gain a company of Sharpshooters to reinforce our skirmishers and these are assigned to the 1st Massachusetts Infantry; 2 fresh Infantry Regiments arrive (3rd Michigan & 69th New York); and a second artillery battery (Company M, 2nd US Artillery):
- 1st Massachusetts Infantry Regiment (Strength 8; Sharpshooters; Hero)
- 2nd Michigan Infantry Regiment (Strength 8; Veteran)
- 3rd Michigan Infantry Regiment (Strength 10)
- 12th New York Infantry Regiment (Strength 3)
- 69th New York Infantry Regiment (Strength 6; Veteran)
- 5th US Cavalry Regiment (Strength 7)
- Company G, 1st US Artillery (2 x 6pdr, 1 x Howitzer)
- Company M, 2nd US Artillery (3 x Rifles)
- Victory Points Accumulated: 3
Our sources reported to us that Colonel A.P.S. Longman’s Brigade had likewise been reinforced; a Sharpshooter Company being added to the 17th VA Infantry, and the artillery being bolstered by the Alexandria Artillery (who have apparently appropriated some new ordnance to replace their original light 6pdr guns):
- 1st Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment (Strength 8)
- 11th Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment (Strength 9; Hero)
- 17th Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment (Strength 9; Sharpshooters)
- 30th Virginia Cavalry Regiment (Strength 7) – becomes 2nd VA Cavalry
- 3rd Company, “Washington Artillery”, New Orleans, Louisiana (2 x 6pdr, 1 x Howitzer)
- “Alexandria Artillery”, Virginia (1 x Napoleon, 1 x Rifle)
- Victory Points Accumulated: 6
As spring 1862 arrives the last news coming from our intelligence reports that our nemesis, the 30th Virginia (Volunteer) Cavalry (the “Lynchburg Cougars“), no longer have the Texas Rangers under their command, but have now been formerly retitled the 2nd Virginia Cavalry Regiment, under their existing commander Colonel Thomas T. Munford. Following shortly after this are our orders to move out – the 1862 campaigning season is upon us, and the Army of the Potomac has grand plans for the year involving the state of Virginia… We look forward to the opportunity to try conclusions with our old adversaries from 1861! And we were soon on our way…
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