May 25, 1845. The British Army was in high spirits from the Michigan campaign and were in prepared for a repeat as the began to march into Toledo. Several miles south General Kearney with a force of 18,000, some new recruits that joined along the march to Ohio and some veteran US troops that switched sides, began to move into into place south Toledo. Kearney gave the order for troops to begin placing artillery near the river and by the bridge nearby. The British would advance south over Kearney's dead body
Battle of Toledo Part 1: The Bloody Bridge
By 7:46 AM the battle was on. A column of British troops began to advance near the bridge while their own cannons were put in place on the opposite bank of the CS soldiers. Before minutes had past both sides began firing artillery at each other forcing the British troops to retreat from the bridge. A British commander, General Fathington ordered for a charge across the bridge. As a British regiment approached the bridge they were met with cannon fire all around them. "Double time!" the Brits began to cross bridge over the Maumee river. Halfway across the muskets fired their first volley. "Charge!" Cried Col. Langsly as he led his battered regiment across. By the time they were 80% across it seemed half the regiment was gone. Finally came a round of grapeshot. The Col. and a sizable portion of his and another regiment fell. A handful of troops made it far enough to engage in melee combat, but it was too late, the assault had failed.
General Fathington would not learn his lesson until 2 more fail assaults took place and he was relieved of his command by his superior General Edwards. By 5pm Kearney had successfully forces upstream away and began to move south them south. The British being caught in a pincer movement between the CS troops crossing the bridge and the troops moving down the bank decided to pull out and withdraw into the city and resume fighting in the morning. This battle was far form over.
Casualties for the first day of fighting:
UK: 2751
CS: 385
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