Showing posts with label American civil War. Show all posts
Showing posts with label American civil War. Show all posts

Friday, 8 March 2024

Battle of New Bern: North Carolina 14th March 1862

 This article is my personal interpretation of the battle. Any mistakes are my own.

By now the War was being waged in deadly earnest.. The Confederacy needed much of its supplies and weapons bought from countries abroad. The main currency used for purchase was cotton which had to be shipped out. In addition, the Confederate Government were sending out Commerce Raiders to attack any Union Merchant ships. 

 Lacking the large industrial capacity of the Union, this was the only way that the Confederate States could supplement the material needed to maintain their forces.

Previously, as the Civil War commenced, a Union General by the name of Winfield Scott came up with the  “ Anaconda Plan”. This was a strategic plan which involved expanding the Navy to blockade Confederate ports and, with the help of the army to attack enemy ports and river defences.

Along with the coastal attacks the plan also involved wresting control of the Mississippi River in order to cut the Confederacy in half. Five days before this battle, the Naval history of the world had been transformed when the first two opposing Ironclads had slugged it out in Hampton Roads making the wooden warship obsolete.

As part of the Anaconda plan and influenced by the historic naval battle that had taken place, the Union Government embarked on a major expansion of the Navy. This involved building armoured ships and “90 day gunboats”, so called because they were built that quickly.

In the meantime, the Union Navy was using any paddle steamers and screw powered vessels that could float in order to enforce the blockade and attack Confederate bases. New Bern on the Neuse river had lost its prestige as a major port. However it was still important in the protection of the railroad.



The line that ran through New Bern, went onto Goldsboro where it connected to the Wilmington Railroad, a major supply line to the  Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. 

 The Union General Ambrose Burnside commanded a Division of troops. With the help of The Atlantic Blockading Squadron, his troops had already taken Confederate forts on Hatteras and Roanoke Islands. These advances gave the Union Flotilla access to Pamlico Sound and Burnside was determined to take New Bern. The first step was to land troops just north of Slocums Creek.

Lawrence Branch, the Confederate General commanding at New Bern knew he had a tough job on his hands. His best troops had been pulled from the line to reinforce the Army of Northern Virginia. 

The remaining troops were not as well trained. Having pulled the remaining troops from a defence line closer to Slocums Creek, the line anchored on Fort Thompson was reinforced. It was here that the Confederates awaited the Union attack,.which soon materialised…



DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL DIVISION OF THE U.S. ARMY.

11,000 = 11points x 4 = 44 points.

C-in-C Ambrose Burnside  @ 1 point.

1st BRIGADE. 

General Foster @ 1 point.

10th Connecticut: 1 stand @ 3 points.

23rd Massachusetts:  1 stand  @ 3 points.

24th Massachusetts:  1 stand  @ 3 points.

25th Massachusetts: 1 stand  @ 3 points.

27th Massachusetts: 1 stand  @ 3 points.

2nd BRIGADE.

General Reno  @  1 point.

51st New York:  1 stand  @  3 points.

9th New Jersey: 1 stand  @  2 points.

51st Pennsylvania:  1 stand  @ 3 points.

21st Massachusetts:  1 stand @ 3 points.

3rd BRIGADE.

General Parke  @ 1 point.

8th Connecticut: 1 stand @ 3 points

11th Connecticut: 1 stand @ 3 points.

4th Rhode Island: 1 stand  @ 3 points.

5th Rhode Island:  1 stand  @ 3 points.

1st New York Marine Artillery Detachment:

2 stands of Light Foot Artillery @ 1pt = 2 points.



THE NAVAL FLOTILLA:

14 Gunboats each with 50 crewmen = 700 men = 0.700 pts x 4 = 2.8 or 3 points r/u.

3 Gunboat models, each @ 1 point = 3 points.

THE CONFEDERATE ARMY: 6,000 = 6pts x 4 = 24 points.

C-in-C: Lawrence Branch  @ 1 point.

26th North Carolina Infantry = 2 stands @ 1 point = 2 points.

33rd North Carolina Infantry = 2 stands @ 1 point = 2 points.

35th North Carolina Infantry = 1 stand @ 2 points.

7th North Carolina Infantry = 1 stand @ 2 points.

The Special Battalion ( a group of infantry scrapped together from other formations armed with shotguns and fowling pieces.) 1 stand @ 1 point.

27th North Carolina = 1 stand @ 2 points.

2nd North Carolina Cavalry = 2 stands @ 1 point = 2 points.

ARTILLERY;

6 Field Batteries = 24 Guns x 50 gunners = 1,200 gunners:

1.200 x 4 = 4.8 or 5pts r/u = 5 stands of Light Artillery @ 1pt = 5 points.

24 Static Artillery Pieces ( mostly at Fort Thompson.) and Fort Ellis.

24 x 50 gunners = 1,200 gunners.x 4 = 4.8 or 5pts r/u = 2 stands of Heavy Artillery @ 2pts ( Fort Thompson) and 1 stand @1 point at Fort Ellis.

Note: Due to a shortage of labour some of the battery positions never got completed, therefore I’ve only included Fort Ellis. Fort Thompson was fully established.


FIGHTING THE BATTLE.

This is a tough fight for the Confederates. Unless the Union player is very unlucky, it would be hard to loose. Therefore, the Confederate player can draw the battle.

* Game-Turns and dicing for the the Initiative Point are carried out as stated in the normal rules.

* The Confederate Player can move the guns normally in the defense works to the right of the line, but the guns within the forts cannot be moved.

* All the field cannon move at 2 squares movement in any direction.

*  All Infantry apart from the Dismounted Cavalry and the Special Battalion are Line Infantry. Therefore they can only be moved through the face of a square not a diagonal. The Light Field Guns, dismounted Cavalrymen and Special Battalion can move in any direction 

* The Cavalry are classed as Light Cavalry. They can move in any direction. Dismounted Cavalry are always 1 point less than their mounted selves. Therefore if the mounted Cavalry are 1 point, the dismounted Cavalry are zero points so just a basic die is rolled for the stand.

* The abatis in front of the Confederate lines is counted as” Trench” during Firing and Close Combat.

* The Union Infantry stands can be moved in The Creek, but only one square per move. They can still fire after moving whilst in The Creek. In the actual battle the Union troops pierced the Confederate lines via this creek.

* I don’t know if the Senior Officers on the Union side had horses but I have portrayed the Generals as such. However, the Generals can only move at two squares. The roads do not give any extra movement. The weather had been bad so the roads had turned to mud.



THE RIVER BATTLE.

The river flotilla was commanded by Stephen C. Rowan ( not represented ). The river had been rigged with obstacles including a line of hulks to force any ships into range of the guns.

* The hulks cannot be moved. The paddle steamers move at 2 squares speed ( measured from the front of the ship.) The ships guns have a range of 4 squares.

* To make things basic, both the forts guns and the paddle steamers can take two hits The ship or a fortress gun will take a hit on any low score. On the second hit the gun or the paddle steamer causes complete destruction.



VICTORY CONDITIONS:

The Confederates must stay in place for four Game-Turns. From the 5th Game-Turn onward the Confederates can retreat. They can only leave the table via the road junction marked ( TO NEW BERN) .

This is the spot where the bridge crosses the Neuse river. If 8 Confederate infantry stands manage to leave the board by Game-Turn 8  AND/ OR BEFORE ONE Gunboat makes it ( completely intact ) to the Confederate baseline the  battle is a draw.

Historical note: The Confederates were putting up a good fight. However when the Union Infantry penetrated the middle part of the line via the creek, some of the Confederate infantry panicked which triggered a general retreat. The cannon in Fort Thompson and Fort Ellis were spiked by the garrison troops before they left but the Union troops still captured a number of field pieces.



CREDITS.

All the figures are a mixture of Miniature Figurines and Peter Pig. The wagon and tent line models are from Peter Pig. The Fortress guns are also Peter Pig.

Fort Thompson was scratchbuilt from foam board and cardboard ( originally for an 18th century scenario). Fort Ellis is represented by a shop-bought enclosure purchased many years ago. The walls and hedgerow are from the Pendraken 10mm range of scenery..

The farm buildings were scratchbuilt from cardboard. The green scenery bases are from S and A Scenics. The hill sections: some were produced by Brian at Essex Miniatures and some were homemade from cork tiles. The railway track and bridge are scratchbuilt from cardboard and cocktail sticks. The trees are from various manufacturers.

The abatis was scratchbuilt from pan scrubbers cardboard and plasticine.

The plastic explosion markers are from Litco. The smoke markers are cotton wool.

The paddle steamers and hulks were made from card and foamboard. The paddle sections were two halves of a fruit juice carton lid. The stern of the boats are a piece of milk bottle top. The guns were made from plastic paint brush tubing and a berry pin. The supports  are made from cardboard stuck to a coin.



The Gunboat crew figures are from the Peter Pig Colonial range which also includes a ships wheel. The Naval Gun Crew figures are from the Peter Pig ACW range. All the flags are from the Peter Pig range.

The roads and rivers are cut from thin cardboard. The round MDF bases are from Minibits. The square stands are cut from picture-framing cardboard. The battle was fought on a 3 foot (90cm) x 2 foot (60cm) board marked out in 2 inch squares.







Friday, 4 November 2022

The Battle of Fort Donalson. Stewart County. Tennessee. 11th / 16th Feb, 1862.



 The following is my personal interpretation of this battle. Any mistakes are my own. I would also like to thank Marvin Scott for the information that he provided about the battle

In keeping with the Anaconda plan devised by the Union General Winfield Scott, Brigadier General Ulysses Grant came up with a plan to take the Confederate forts on the Mississippi River thereby splitting the Confederacy in half and fracturing the Confederate supply lines.

When Grant put his ideas to his Superior, Halleck, he was met with indifference. Grant was at that time, a local Commander of the Union Garrison of Cairo.

Grant was lucky in that he got on well with Admiral Andrew Foote, the commander of the Mississippi River fleet. The Admiral interceded with Halleck on Grants behalf and managed to convince  the General that Grants plan was sound. During 1862 Grants efforts aided by Footes river fleet made progress against Fort William Henry partly helped by the fact that the Fort was prone to flooding. The 2000 Confederate troops that survived the attack made their way to Fort Donelson on the Cumberland  River

Grant moved his Army in pursuit  while Footes Squadron moved out of the Tennessee River, up the Ohio, then into the Cumberland. As Grants troops marched the 12 miles toward Fort Donalson; they were slowed by the delaying tactics of Confederate cavalry led by Nathan Bedford Forrest.



Eventually, Grant’s force arrived at the Confederate held fort. There were two Union Divisions. John McClernand’s, which took the right flank, and Charles Smith’s, on the left.

From the 11th to the 14th the Union Army  and Navy launched sporadic attacks against the Fort but these were beaten off by the Confederate defenders. The ships of Andrew Foote’s river Squadron suffered a lot of damage. The Gunboats could not elevate their guns to hit the Fort effectively. The Confederate gunners of the Battery facing the river used plunging fire, so were able to cause considerable damage to the Union Flotilla.

The Union General Grant realised that he needed more troops in order to besiege the Fort. Therefore he called up Lew Wallace’s Division which had been left at Fort William Henry. In a meeting at Crisp House, Ulysses Grant met with Andrew Foote to discuss tactics. It was decided that one of the Gunboats still operational, would make a demonstration against the River Batteries of the Fort while troops surrounded the defences on land.

Union reinforcements arrived and were added to Lew Wallace’s Division arriving from Fort William Henry. Grant positioned Wallace’s Division in the centre of the line allowing McClernand’s Division to move to the right completing the investment of Fort Donalson and the adjacent town of Dover.


The Confederate General; John B. Floyd held a meeting with with his Senior Officers: Gideon Johnson Pillow, Simon B. Buckner and Nathan B. Forrest. There was a realisation that starvation and attrition would take its toll on the Garrison. Therefore, It was decided to attempt a breakout from the Fort, south -east toward Nashville. ———————.

THE UNION ARMY: 24,500 = 24.5 pts x 3 = 74 points.

C-in-C: Ulysses “Sam” Grant  @  2 points.

1st DIVISION;

1 General, ( John McClernand )   @   1 point.

5 stands of 2nd class Line Infantry @ 2pts = 10 points.

3 stands of  Dragoon Cavalry @ 1 point =  3 points.

2 stands of Light Artillery  @ 1 point = 2 points.

2nd DIVISION;

1 General ( Charles Ferguson Smith )   @  1 point.

11 stands of 2nd class Line Infantry @ 2 points = 22 points.

1 stand of Skirmish Infantry  @ 1 point.

1 stand of Light Artillery   @ 1 point.

3rd DIVISION;

1 General ( Lew Wallace )  @ 1 point.

14 stands of 2nd class Line Infantry @ 2 points = 28 points.

1 stand of Skirmish Infantry @ 1 point.

1 stand of Light Artillery  @ 1 point.

note: This force would later be known as The Army of Tennessee.

CONFEDERATE ARMY GARRISON OF FORT DONALSON;

13,000 Infantry,

600 Cavalry.

2,400 Artillery Personnel ( 600 Gunners, 1,800 attached infantry ).

Total: 16,000 = 16 points x 3 = 48 points.

RIGHT WING AROUND FORT DONALSON;

1 General ( Simon Bolivar Buckner )  @ 1 point.

7 stands of 2nd class Line Infantry  @ 2pts = 14pts.

LEFT WING;

C-in-C, John Buchanan Floyd   @  1 point.

1 General ( Gideon Johnson Pillow )  @ 1 point.

8 stands of 2nd class Line Infantry @  2pts = 16 points.

CAVALRY BRIGADE, ( in the town of Dover).

1 General ( Nathan Bedford Forrest )  @ 1 point.

2 stands of Dragoon Cavalry  @ 1pt = 2 points.

ARTILLERY;

1 stand of  Position Artillery  @ 2 points.

5 stands of Light Artillery  @ 1 point = 5 points.

UNION RIVER FLOTILLA;

The original Flotilla had 4 Ironclads and 2 Tinclads. I calculated a total of 6 x 100 crew = 600 crew.

0.600 x 3 = 1.8 or 2pts r/u. =  2 ships @ 1 point each.



BATTLE NOTES;

* The Confederates retain the Initiative Point for the entire Battle. Who gets first move in each Game-Turn is still diced for as this decides tied results and who decides the Combat sequence.

* In regard to ranges, I’ve stayed with the ranges for smoothbore weapons.

* Light Artillery move up to 2 squares.

* The Confederate defenceworks count as “Trench”. Plus a 2 point deduction for attacking uphill

( The defenceworks around The Confederate position were a series of trenches and rifle pits behind Abbatis, It had been raining which had changed to snow showers. However, the weather was dry during the battle and doesn’t seem to have affected movement or firing).

* The tree line along Hickman Creek cannot be entered by either side.

* The Gunboats move at 2 squares each Game-Turn.

* The  2 Confederate Batteries facing the river from the Fort can add 1 point to the die roll for the plunging fire.

* The Light Artillery move at 2 squares range.

* Rivers can only be crossed by the bridges.



EXCHANGE OF FIRE BETWEEN THE GUNBOATS AND SHORE BATTERIES;

*  The gunboats and shore guns do not have to “ Moveback”. Damage is caused by any lower score. The Gunboats can take two hits. On the first hit, one point is deducted from return fire. After the second hit, 2 points. The third hit destroys the Gunboat. 

The same rule applies to the two stands of  Confederate guns facing the river. All the other guns follow the normal rules for Artillery.

* The battle will be played for 8 Game-Turns. The winner will be;

A) The Union Army wins if there are any Union stands inside the Confederate Defenseworks at the end of Game-Turn 8.

B)  The Confederates win if there are no Union stands inside the Defenseworks by the end of Turn 8.



As an alternative you could fight this scenario as two scenarios. In the first battle, the Union army has two Divisions ( C.F Smith and McClernands) which is played for 8 Game-Turns. McClernands Division is placed in Lew Wallaces position.

In the second scenario, the remains of Smith’s and McClernanand Divisions are positioned as shown on the map above with Lew Wallace’s Division placed in the centre. The Confederate player can either A) leave the remaining stands where they are, or B) moving remaining stands back inside the defenseworks.

CREDITS;

All the figures shown are mostly Peter Pig and Minifigs with some Essex Miniatures. The Gunboats are scratchbuilt. The Hills are a mixture of ones made by Brian of Essex Miniatures and homemade from kneeling pads and cork tile. The trees are from Amazon decorated with runny PVA glue and snow dust.

The “snow” ground is thin card as are the rivers and roadway. The bridges are nearly all scratchbuilt. The houses are mostly Peter Pig with a couple of Hovels.

The defences were made from cardboard and pan scrubbers with added brown Plasticine..

The battle is played on a 3 foot ( 90cm ) x 2 foot ( 60cm ) table.










Friday, 24 December 2021

Battle of Mill Springs, Kentucky, January 19th 1862.

 This is my own interpretation of the battle as a wargamer. Any mistakes are my own. The numbers given below for each formation is my own best guess. This battle was also titled Logan's Crossroads.

As the war progressed the Union Administration did not want Kentucky going over to the Confederate Government. Having been repulsed at the Wilderness Road, the Confederate General  Felix  Zollicoffer moved further West in another attempt to disrupt Union activity.

In late 1861, a Confederate force of 6,000 men and 16 guns was camped at Mill Springs, on the South bank of the Cumberland River. Zollicoffer realised that if he could establish a camp on the north side of the river, he would be better placed to interdict Union activity between Somerset and Lebanon.

Zollicoffer,s force was also part of the Confederate Defense Line which was to prevent Union forces from interrupting rail shipments of supplies from southern and western Virginia.

Zollicoffer managed to gather up some rivercraft enough to transport 5000 men and 12 guns across the Cumberland to Beech Grove, leaving 1,000 men and 4 guns at Mill Springs. Both camps were entrenched.

Having been told of the Confederate movement, Union General George H. Thomas moved his 4,500 troops to Logan,s Crossroads [ modern day Nancy ]. about 10 miles north of the Confederate position. In the meantime Major General George B. Crittenden arrived to take control of Confederate forces.

Crittenden wanted to attack Thomas,s force before it could link up with Union General Albin F. Schoepes Division to attack the Confederate base.

The early hours of January 19th found the Confederate force from Beech Grove marching north in the rain and fog to suprise and attack Thomas,s Union force.

Unfortunately for the Confederates, the Union 10th Indiana Infantry and 1st Kentucky Cavalry, on piquet duty were wide awake!. as battle was joined, elements of Albin Schoepe,s Union formation were force marching to reinforce Thomas,-----


UNION ARMY; 4,500 = 4.5 X 8 =36 points.

( This total includes The reinforcements from Schoepe commanded by McCook ).

1 General, George H. Thomas.  @ 1 point.

1 General Robert L. McCook @   1 point.

12th New York Line Infantry ( 300 ) = 0.300 x 8 = 2 stands @ 1 point = 2 points. (R/d)

2nd Minnesota Line Infantry (500 ) = 0.500 x 8 = 2 stands @ 2 points = 4 points.

9th Ohio Line Infantry (800 ) = 0.800 x 8 = 2  stands @ 3 points = 6 points.

7th Ohio Line Infantry ( 500 ) = 0.500 x 8 = 2 stands @ 2 points = 4 points.

4th New York Line Infantry (500 ) = 0.500 x 8 = 2 stands @  2 points = 4 points.

2nd Tennessee Line Infantry ( 500) = 0.500 x 8 = 2 stands @ 2 points = 4 points.

7th Tennessee Line Infantry ( 500 ) = 0.500 x 8 = 2 stand @ 2 points = 4 points.

10th Indiana Line Infantry ( 500) = 0.500 x 8 = 4 stands @ 1 point = 4 points.

1st Kentucky Cavalry ( 300 ) = 0.300 x 8 =  2 stands @ 1 point = 2 points.

Whitmores Battery : 8 guns x 30 men = 240 men = 0.240 x 8 = 2pts r/u = 2 stands of Light Artillery @ 1 point = 2points.


CONFEDERATE ARMY; 5,000 = 5pts x 8 = 40 points.

1 General. George B. Crittenden  @ 1 point.

1 General. Felix Zollicoffer  @ 1 point.

15th Mississippi Line Infantry [ 800 ] = 0.800 pts x 8 = 6 pts [r/d]. 3 stands of Line Inf @ 2 pts.

16th Alabama Line Infantry [ 500] = 0.500 x 8 pts = 4 pts. 2 stands of Line Infantry @ 2 pts.

17th Tennessee Line Infantry [ 500] = 0.500 x 8 pts= 4 points. 2 stands of Line Inf @ 2 pts.

19th Tennessee Line Infantry [ 800 ] = 0.800 pts x 8 = 6 points. 3 stands of  Line Inf @ 2 pts.

20th Tennessee Line Infantry [ 500 ] = 0.500 pts x 8 = 4 points. 2 stands of Line Inf @ 2 pts.

25th Tennessee Line Infantry [ 500 ] = 0.500 pts x 8 = 4 points. 2 stands of Line Inf @ 2 pts.

28th Tennessee Line Infantry [ 500 ] = 0.500 pts x 8 = 4 points. 2 stands of Line Inf @ 2 pts.

29th Tennessee Line Infantry [ 500 ] = 0.500 pts x 8 = 4 points. 2 stands of Line Inf @ 2 pts.

Saunders Cavalry Battalion [ 300 ] = 0. 300 pts x 8 = 2 points. 2 stands of Cavalry @ 1 pt.

Bledsoe,s Battery, 12 guns x 30 men = 360 = 0.360 x 8 = 3 points [r/u ] = 1 stand of Heavy Artillery @ 2 points  and 1 stand of Light Artillery @ 1 point.

Here is the map;

The Battle;

* The Union Army has the  Initiative Point for the entire battle.

* The Confederates move first, and fire first on the 1st Game-Turn.

*From Game-Turn 2 until Game-Turn 8, both sides will roll a die to decide who moves and fires first. It also determines which side wins any tied results during the Game-Turn.

Ordered Movement:

This battle was something of a “ meeting” engagement.

For the Confederates, on the First Game-Turn only the 19th and 15th Infantry can move.

On the second Game-Turn, the 17th, 25th, 28, 16th and 20th can move.

On the third Game-Turn, Saunders Cavalry, the Field Guns and the 29th can move.

The Confederate army was strung out on the road which was muddy and it took time for the units to come into action.

Any stands entering the river section cannot fire.


The Generals:

CRITTENDEN,

It has been written that Crittenden wasn’t quite himself at this battle and didn’t have a clear idea of what was happening. Therefore. If a player wishes to move Crittenden, a 6 sided die is rolled. On a roll of a 5 or 6, Crittenden can be moved.

ZOLLICOFFER;

During the battle, Zollicoffer was in the front line. In the bad light he confused a Senior Union Officer as one of his own. As Zollicoffer rode off, another Union Officer saw what was happening and shot General Zollicoffer as he was riding away. Therefore, if Zollicoffer comes within range of a Union stand roll a 6 sided die. If a 5 or 6 is rolled, Zollicoffer is removed.

THE UNION ARMY;

The Union Army cannot move until the 10th Indiana and 1st Kentucky retreat to the snake fence.

The 7th and 9th Ohio with General McCook cannot move until Game-Turn 4. These Regiments were of German Immigrants who were veterans of the wars in Europe.


The Weather;

The weather on the morning of the battle was foggy with rain. This had an adverse effect on the weapons especially amongst the Confederate Infantry.  A number of them had old flintlock smoothbore rifles which some of the men were seen smashing against trees in their frustration.

Therefore, 2 points will be deducted from every firing die rolled in the game. this will result in more combats than usual.

FIRING RANGE; All rifle fire will be at two squares range. Field Gun range is four squares.

The hedgerow or"scrub" and the snakefencing do not provide any cover and only hinder movement to artillery and cavalry.

As before in previous scenarios, I don’t know if there was any true horse artillery so all artillery is moved at two squares.


CREDITS;

The figures are a mixture of Peter Pig and Miniature Figurines. The flags are from Peter Pig.

The hills are made from garden kneeling mats from Wilkinsons. The trees are from various manufacturers, one being Guagemaster.

The wood outline bases are from S and A Scenics , some from picture framing cardboard. The river and road sections are from thin cardboard.

The square figure stands are cut from picture framing cardboard. The round 40mm mdf bases are from Minibits.

The snake fencing and hedgerow [ 6mm woodland ? ] is from Northumberland Painting Service and MBM Scenery.

The tentline hidden in the top left of the board is from Peter Pig.

As before, the board is 3 feet x 2 feet, [ 90cm x 60cm ].




























Saturday, 23 October 2021

Battle of Dranesville; Fairfax County, December 20th 1861.

The details in this blog are my personal interpretation of  historical events. any mistakes are my own. Most of the detail I gained from Wikipedia. I had to do a bit of digging on the net for the regiments that were present but I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the list I have presented.
 
 This action was preceded by a reconnaissance and foraging operation from Centreville moving north, led by the Confederate General J. E. B. Stuart. At about the same time, General Ord of the Union army was moving his Corps east, along the south bank of the Potomac River to clear any Confederate forces from Loudon and Fairfax County.

Ord left half his Union force [ 5,000 ] at Colvin Run Mill so that he would not be outflanked. Neither force was aware of the other until both forces reached the area  south east of Dranesville. General Ords force, having driven off some Confederate cavalry piquets, was just resuming the march eastward when Jeb Stuarts force was encountered coming from the south.



UNION ARMY, 5,000 = 5 pts x 5 = 25 pts.

1 General and C-in-C [ Edward Otho Cresp Ord ] @ 1 point.
1 General [Lt Colonel Thomas Kane ] @ 1 point.


13th Pennsylvania Infantry = 2 stands of 2nd class Line Inf @ 2 pts = 4 pts.
6th Pennsylvania Infantry = 2 stands of 2nd class Line Inf @ 2 pts = 4 pts.
10th Pennsylvania Infantry = 2 stands of 2nd class Line Inf @ 2pts = 4 pts.
12th Pennsylvania Infantry = 2 stands of 2nd class Line Inf @ 2pts = 4 pts.
9th Pennsylvania Infantry = 2 stands of 2nd class Line Inf @ 2pts = 4 pts.
The Rearguard Infantry = 1 stand of 3rd class Skirmish Infantry @ 1 point.

1st Pennsylvania Cavalry = 1 stand of 3rd class Cavalry @ 1 point.
Battery A,  Hezekiah Easton. = 1 stand of Light Artillery @ 1 point.

CONFEDERATE ARMY, 3,800 = 3.8 pts x 5 = 19 pts.

1 General [ James Ewell Brown Stuart ] @ 1 point.

11th Virginia Infantry = 3 stands of 3rd class Line Inf @ 1 point = 3 pts.
1st Kentucky Infantry = 2 stands of 2nd class Line Inf @ 2 pts = 4 pts.
10th Alabama Infantry = 2 stands of 2nd class Line Inf @ 2 pts = 4 pts.
6th South Carolina Infantry = 2 stands of 2nd class Line Inf @ 2pts = 4pts.

1st Carolina Cavalry Company = 1 stand of Cavalry @ 1 point.
Company C, 2nd Virginia Cavalry = 1 stand of Cavalry @ 1 point.

Georgia Battery, Sumter Flying Artillery = 1 stand of Light Artillery @ 1 point.

Here are the opposing armies ready for battle;




Notes;

 * You may wish to supply Dismount Markers for the Cavalry. If so, they have no points value, a basic die is rolled for the stand when firing or in combat.

* With regard to the Light Artillery, I dont know if these Batteries had the equipment to be true Horse Artillery given supply problems of the armies in the west. Therefore these guns can only move two squares in any direction.

* You can use the "Regimental" style movement I set out in a previous American Civil War blog or, if desired move the stands individually as normal. I have read that formations suffered from a lack of senior Officers which led to confusion within and between friendly units during a battle. More often it was down to the individual bravery of soldiers on both sides that would lead to the success or failure in battle.



The battle;

* The Confederates move first and fire first on the first Game-Turn.

* From Game-Turn 2 until Game-Turn 8, both sides will throw a die to determine who gets the Initiative Point for that Game-Turn.

* If you play this Game solo it’s best to stick with the basic 2-player Game-Turn sequence.

* As this battle is in the Western Theatre all ranges are for smoothbore weapons. Again I am basing this assumption on supply problems.

* The winner after eight Game-Turns, will be the side that suffers the lower casualties. Once both sides discovered each other, neither side was prepared to back down, although the Confederates did so after their waggons were safely away.


* If the Confederates loose the higher number of stands they can force a draw if they can get a waggon into Dranesville and back to the Confederate base line by the end of Game-Turn 8.

* As you can see in the battle set-up picture above, the waggons are off the road. The waggons can start their move from the first two squares at the Confederate base edge. The waggons cannot move through wooded areas.

CREDITS;

The figures are a mix of mostly Miniature Figurines and Peter Pig with some Essex Miniatures. The waggons are Peter Pig.

The buildings are Peter Pig. The hills were made by Brian at Essex Miniatures. Two are home made.  Most of the wood 0utline bases are from S and A Scenics. The trees are from various manufacturers. The roads are made from thin cardboard.






The square figure stands are made from picture framing cardboard. The round mdf command stands are made by Minibits.


Saturday, 22 May 2021

Battle of Fredericktown ; Madison County, Missouri; October 21st 1861.

 This blog is my personal interpretation of the historial action as a wargamer. Any errors are my own. The positions of the formations and the numbers involved are also my best guess due to the limited information I had access to.

At this time skirmishes and partizan activity were taking place all over Missouri in order to secure the state for either the Union or the Confederacy. In the South-Eastern part of the State, the 1st Division of the Missouri State Guard were raiding Union Facilities. General Merriwether "Jeff" Thompson led this formation aided by Colonel Aden Lowe.

The Union Army sent Colonel Joseph B. Plummer aided by Colonel P. Carlin to bring Thompsons actions to an end. When the Union force advanced to Fredericktown, Thompson,s force was pushed 12 miles south. Thompson did not want to give up the town so, after securing his supply waggons, he decided to lead another attack against the Union position.

In order to lure the Union troops forward Thompson positioned one Regiment forward of his main line with an old 12lb field gun hoping to spring a trap-----,


Here are the armies  positioned for the battle;


Confederate Forces; 1st Division; Missouri State Guard.

1st Division 1,500 = 1.5 x 20 = 30 points.

Brigadier Merriwether "Jeff" Thompson @ 1 point.

Colonel  Aden Lowe @ 1 point.

1st Missouri Line Infantry Regiment; 2 x 2nd class infantry stands @ 2 pts = 4 points.

2nd Missouri Line Infantry Regiment; 2 x 2nd class infantry stands @ 2 pts = 4 points.

3rd Missouri Line Infantry Regiment; 2 x 2nd class infantry stands @ 2 pts = 4 points.

4th Missouri Line Infantry Regiment; 2 x 2nd class infantry stands @ 2 pts = 4 points.

1st Cavalry Regiment; 3 x 2nd class line Cavalry stands @ 2 points = 6 points.

2nd Cavalry Battalion [ Stoddard County Rangers ] 1 x 3rd class Cavalry @ 1 point.

13th Missouri Light Artillery [ Harris,s Battery] 1 x Heavy Artillery stand @ 2 points

  "         "               "         "            [Harris,s Battery] 1 x Light Artillery stand @ 1 point.

2 x  Supply Waggons @ 1 point = 2 points.


Union Army; South Western Missouri.

1,800 = 1.8 x 20 = 36 points.

Colonel Joseph B. Plummer [ Commanding] @ 1 point.

Colonel William P. Carlin @ 1 point.

8th Winsconsin Infantry; 4 x stands of 2nd class Line Infantry @ 2 pts = 8 points.

11th Missouri Volunteer Infantry; 4 x stands of 2nd class Line Infantry @ 2 pts = 8 pts.

17th Illinois Infantry; 4 x stands of 2nd class Line Infantry @ 2 pts = 8 points.

1st Indiana Cavalry Regt; 2 x stands of 2nd class Line Cavalry@ 2 pts = 4 points.

Captain Stewarts Illinois Cavalry; 1 x stand @ 1 point.

1st Mississippi Light Artillery Battery; 3 x stands of Light Artillery @ 1 pt = 3 points.

2 x Supply Waggons @ 1 point = 2 points.

This is the map;




Notes;

This is a Regimental  level game. A slightly alternative method is that the stands of each Infantry  Regiment when moved, must stay in adjacent squares to each other even diagonally. All infantry are classed as Line so these stands can only move through the face of a square, not diagonally.

If one stand of a Regiment suffers a "MOVE BACK" as a result of FIRE or COMBAT, Then on the movement phase of the next Game-Turn the stands of that Regiment must be moved to be adjacent to each other.

According to the maps I have seen, the Cavalry Regiments were operating in independant Squadrons/ Companies ? therefore the Cavaly stands do not have to be adjacent to each other.

Dismounted Cavalrymen are classed as skirmishes so can move in any direction.Some mounted cavalry are only 1 point. If they dismount the dismounted cavalry only get a basic die roll for the stand.

In regard to the Artillery, The Confederate Artillery positioned their guns individually. The Union Artillery were kept together.

I,m surmising that because this action took place early in the War and in the Western theatre, where both sides suffered supply problems, All the weapons would be smoothbore.

Also, I don't know if the Light Artillery had horses or not so I went with the two square move distance.

Victory conditions; 

The winner will be the side that has lost the lower number of stands at the end of  8 Game-Turns.

The battle was fought on a 3 foot x 2 foot  (90cm x 60cm) board

Credits,

The figures used in the scenario are a mix of Peter Pig and Miniature Figurines with some Essex Miniatures, all 15mm.

The flags are from the Peter Pig range as are the Supply Waggons.

The Hills are mostly by Brian at Essex Miniatures. One hill was made from a garden kneeling pad from Wilkinson’s Stores!

Most of the wood outline bases were made by S and A Scenics with some made from cardboard.

The buildings I think all came from Peter Pig. The roads are made from thin cardboard.

The snake fencing was made by MBM Scenery in 10mm.

The trees were made by various manufacturers.

The square bases were cut from picture framing cardboard 40mm square ( one and nine sixteenths of an inch Imperial) and the round MDF stands are from Minibits.





 


Most of the information on this battle was obtained from internet searches of American Battlefield Trust sites.



Monday, 8 February 2021

The Battle of Wilson's Creek; Missouri August 10th 1861

 This is my own interpretation of the battle so, any mistakes in the narrative are purely my own.

At this time. Missouri,s political direction was still undecided. There was an attempt by some members of the State Legislature to maintain Missouri as a neutral state. However there were those on both sides of the political divide who wanted the state within their sphere of influence and the manpower it could provide. 

The Army to defend the area was being gathered at Wilson's Creek. However a massive row and eventually, a civil riot broke out  over the  actions of Nathanial Lyon ( who was pro Union ) regarding the arrest of  some civilians.

Lyons himself ( who by nature was a real firebrand) bought things to a head when he declared war against some members of the Missouri state council by stating that Missouri should remain within the Union.

To that end Lyon gathered up as many Union sympathizers as he could. These men were organised into four brigades which Lyon eventually led to attack the Missouri state troops gathered at Wilsons creek. 

It is worth noting at this point that a fair number of troops gathered within Missouri  of both forces were wearing civilian clothing of a greyish colour because the troops of both sides had yet to be formally inducted into distinct organisations.

On the Confederate side a row ensued as to who was to command. Stirling Price was picked to command but he could not get along with Nicholas Pearce, the commander of the 1st Division. Pearce himself decided to work with McCulloch.

 Pearce also caused confusion, in that he was numbering units as they turned up at the muster point rather than follow the official listing.

( this is why there is the 3rd Arkansas Infantry and the 3rd Arkansas State Troops. Each was distinct from the other!).

Prior to the battle Lyon sent Franz Sigel and his second Brigade to circle East and attack the Confederate camp from the South while Lyon with the 1st, 3rd and 4th Brigades attacked from the North. Either Lyon was ignorant of the numbers he was going against or he thought the men encamped at Wilson's Creek would not put up much of a fight.

Either way he would have a battle on his hands!



Union Army; 5,404 = 5.404 points. x 6 = 32 points r/d.

1st Brigade;

General Samuel D. Sturgis   @ 1point.

2 stands of 3rd class Infantry  @ 1 point = 2 points.

1 stand of 3rd class Cavalry  @ 1 point.


2nd  Brigade;

General Franz Siegel  @  1 point.

2 stands of 2nd class Line Infantry @ 2 points = 4 points.

1 stand of 3rd class cavalry  @ 1point.

General Nathanial Lyon ( C- in-C ) =2 points.


3rd  Brigade;

General George Andrews @ 1 point.

2 stands of 2nd class Line Infantry @ 2 points = 4 points.

1 stand of Light Artillery @ 1 point.


4th  Brigade;

General George Deitzler @ 1 point.

4 stands of 1st class Line Infantry @ 3 points = 12 points.

------------------------------------------"----------------------------------------

Confederate Army ; 11,000 =11 points x 6 = 66 points.


McCulloch,s Division; (Yellow).

General Benjamin McCulloch  @ 1 point.

2 stands of  2nd class Line infantry @ 2 points = 4points.

3 stands of  2nd class Mounted Infantry @ 2 points = 6 points.


Pearce,s Division; (Green).

General Nicholas Bartlett Pearce  @  1 point.

3 stands of 2nd class Line Infantry @ 2 points = 6 points.

2 stands of 2nd class Cavalry @ 2 points = 4 points.

2 stands of Light Horse Artillery @ 1point = 2points.


Price,s Division: ( Light Red ).

General Sterling Price @ 1 point.

4 stands of 2nd class Line Infantry @ 2 points = 8 points.

1 stand of Light Artillery @ 1 point.

Cawthorns Cavalry Brigade;

Colonel James Cawthorn @ 1 point.

3 stands of 2nd class Cavalry @ 2 points = 6 points.


Combined 3rd, 4th, 6th and 7th Division;

3rd Division;( Purple).

General John Bullock Clark Jnr  @ 1 point.

1 stand of 2nd class Line Infantry @ 2 points.

1 stand of  2nd class Cavalry @ 2 points.


4th  Division: ( White).

General William Y. Slack @ 1 point.

2 stands of 2nd class Line Infantry @ 2 points = 4 points.

1 stand of  2nd class Cavalry  @ 2 points.


6th Division;( Orange).

General Moseby M. Parsons  @ 1 point.

1 stand  of 2nd class Line Infantry  @ 2 points.

1 stand of  2nd class Cavalry @ 2 points.

1 stand of Light Artillery  @ 1 point.


7th Division; ( Red ).

General James H. McBride @ 1 point.

2 stands of  2nd class Infantry  @ 2 points = 4 points.

1 stand of  2nd class Cavalry  @  2 points.



Special Rules;

● The Union Army keeps the Iniative Point for the entire battle. This is because there were regular troops present.

● On the first Game-Turn, the Union army moves first and fires first. For Game-Turns 2 until Game-Turn 8 both Players will roll a die as per the normal rules to decide which side goes first.

● Stands cannot be moved over or into any squares marked as " rough ground" of which there are five. Stands can still fire through the squares.

● Stands cannot be moved over or through any squares with a tent on it. Stands can still fire through the tented squares.

Skeggs Branch:  The battle took place across this stream. I don’t know how deep it is ( or was) but it did not seem to impede movement. Therefore stands can move and fire as normal while standing in the stream. Wilson’s Creek can only be crossed via the bridges.


Notes on the Cavalry: 

Any dismounted cavalrymen are 1 point less than when they are mounted. For Third Class cavalry at 1 point, the dismounted unit has no points, therefore it's just a die roll.

For firearms, the Cavalry use Pistols on horseback. Dismounted Cavalry use Carbines.

Dismounted cavalry can move in any direction.


The Artillery and Muskets:

I honestly don't know whether either army had true horse artillery so, when I fought this battle I assumed that being as both armies were not readily supplied with weapons, both sides would have smoothbore guns and muskets. Therefore;

● All muskets are two squares range as are cavalry carbines.

● All artillery have a four square range.

● Stands of artillery move at two squares in any direction. They can move and fire.

In the army list above and in previous battle descriptions I use 1st class, 2nd class etc. This is not a reflection of fighting ability. The description is used to label points to a stand and is also connected to the strength of the real units. The American Civil War did not have unit designations such as Guards, Dragoons etc.

However I've used the "Line" designation to show which stands can only move through the face of a square and those which can move in any direction.

The battle is played for eight Game-Turns. If the Union player still has stands on Oak Hill by the end of the Eighth Game-Turn the battle is a draw. The Confederates win if they can overcome the Union forces on Oak Hill by the end of the Eighth Game-Turn.

The Union Army can win by causing more casualties in stands  in the Confederate Army by the end of the Eighth Game- Turn.


Well, this is my presentation.The battle was played out on a 3 foot by 2 foot board ( 90 cm x 60cm) The figures in the photo are a mix of Peter Pig, Miniature Figurines and Essex. The flags are from Peter Pig. The tent lines are from Peter Pig.

The trees are from various manufactures. The hills were made by Brian at Essex. The road and rivers are made from thin card. The square bases are from picture framing card. The round bases are 40mm mdf  from Minibits.



Saturday, 12 September 2020

Battle of Antietam 17th September 1862.



Having managed to take Harper's Ferry, General Lee was informed that his order 191 had been obtained by the Union high command. Lee quickly realised he needed to gather his scattered forces.

Daniel Harvey Hill,s Division had already held up the Union advance at Turners Gap. Now Lee, realising that his supply route could be compromised, put the army on the move  back to the Maryland border and into Virginia.

The Commander in Chief of the Union Army was George Brinton McClellan, " Little Mac" to the troops, with whom he was highly popular. As the Confederate army trudged West along the Boonsboro Tunpike, Generals Lee and Longstreet realised that they would have to turn and face the Union army or run the risk of being attacked while on the march.

Moving across a meandering waterway known  locally as Antietam Creek, Lee saw that the  local farmland with undulating ground and woodland would be an ideal location for a defensive battle. As the Confederate army took up positions East of Sharpsburg, there was an additional element of danger for Lee's Army.

 Further West beyond Sharpsburg was the Potomac River. There was only one crossing place. Should the Union Army win the day the Confederate Army would disintegrate 
trying to cross while retreating.

There was one person in the Union Army who could give the Confederates an edge in the coming battle. That was George McClellan himself. General McClellan was very cautious. He had seven Corps with which to overpower the Confederate Army but on the day, only four were used. Each Corps commander was left to conduct the battle in his own way, and none of the Union attacks were coordinated.

McClellan was great at logistics and did an excellent job of organising the Army of the Potomac but as events were to prove he could not command an army in battle.

It is of note that the men of Edwin Sumner’s Corps were new recruits and on two occasions in the heat of the battle fired into the backs of their own men. 


Regardless of the colour of the uniform, the Generals and soldiers of both sides did not realise they would be unwitting participants in one of the bloodiest battles of the war so far.....

The Union Army;

C-in-C George McClennan. ( not present).

1st Corps; 8,500 = 8.5 points x 2 = 17 points.

1 General ( Joseph Hooker ) = 1 point.
6 stands of 2nd class Line Infantry @ 2 points = 12 points.
1 stand of skirmishes @ 2 points.
2 stands of Light Horse Artillery @ 1 point = 2 points.

12th Corps; 7,500 = 7.5 points x 2 = 15 points.

1 General ( Joseph Mansfield ) = 1 point.
5 stands of 2nd class infantry @ 2 points = 10 points.
1 stand of skirmishes @ 2 points.
2 stands of Light Horse Artillery @ 1 point = 2 points.


2nd Corps; 10,500 = 10.5 points x 2 = 21 points.

1 General ( Edwin "Bull" Sumner ) = 1 point.
8 stands of 2nd class Line Infantry @ 2 points = 16 points.
2 stands of Heavy Artillery @ 2 points = 4 points.

9th Corps; 12,000 = 12 points x 2 = 24 points.

1 General ( Ambrose Burnside) = 1 point.
9 stands of 2nd class Line Infantry @ 2 points = 18 points.
1 stand of skirmishes @ 1 point.
2 stands of Heavy Artillery @ 2 points = 4 points.


The Confederate Army; 34,000 x 2= 68 points.

C-in-C Robert E. Lee (present) @ 3 points.

Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson,s Corps; 9,500 = 9.5 points x 2= 19 points.

1 General (Jackson) @ 2 points.
2 stands of Heavy Artillery @ 2 points = 4 points.
3 stands of skirmish infantry @ 1 point = 3 points.
3 stands of 2nd class Line Infantry @ 2 points = 6 points.
1 stand of 1st class Line Infantry ( Hoods Texans) @ 3 points.

James Longstreets Corps;

General Longstreet @ 2 points.

Daniel Harvey Hill,s Division.4,500= 4.5 points x 2=9 points.

1 general (Hill) @ 1 point.
3 stands of 2nd class Line Infantry @ 2 points = 6 points.
2 stands of Light Horse Artillery @ 1 point = 2 points.

David R. Jones Division. 5,000 =5 points x 2=10 points.

1 General (Jones) @ 1point.
4 stands of 2nd class Line Infantry @ 2 points = 8 points.
1 stand of Light Horse Artillery @ 1 point.

1st reinforcement;

Lafayette McLaw,s Division. 3,000=3 points x 2=6 points.

1 General (McLaws) @ 1point.
2 stands of 2nd class Line Infantry @ 2 points = 4 points.
1 stand of skirmish infantry @ 1 point.

Richard H. Anderson,s Division. 5,000 =5 points x 2 =10 points.

1 General (Anderson) @ 1point.
4 stands of 2nd class Line Infantry @ 2 points = 8 points.
1 stand of Light Horse Artillery @ 1 point.

2nd reinforcement; 

Ambrose Powell Hill,s Light Division. 4,500=4.5 points x 2=9 points.

1 General (Hill) @ 1 point.
3 stands of 2nd class Line Infantry @ 2 points = 6 points.
1 stand of skirmish infantry @ 1 point.
1 stand of Light Horse Artillery @ 1 point.

Here is a view of the battlefield.



Here is a map of the battle;



 Notes on the battle;

Solo Play;

To keep the battle within eight turns, the following sequence is recommended;

1st  Game-Turn) Only the Union 1st Corp moves this Game Turn. The Confederate Daniel Harvey Hill only moves this Game Turn.  The Union army has the initiative and fires first. All stands of both sides can fire if in range. Use the fire rules for the 2 player game.

Game-Turn 2) The Union 1st and 12 Corps moves first only in this Game Turn. Jackson and Harvey Hill's Divisions only move this Game Turn moving second. The Union army has the initiative and can fire first. All stands of both sides can fire if in range.

Game-Turn 3) As in the previous Turn, the Union 1st and 12th Corp moves first only.
Jackson and Harvey Hills Divisions only move second. The Union army has the initiative and can fire first. All stands of both sides can fire if within range.

Game-Turn 4) The Union 1st, 12th and 2nd Corps can move on this game Turn. The Confederates Jackson, Harvey Hill, Jones, Mclaw and Anderson's Divisions move second The Union army has the initiative and fires first. All stands of both sides can fire if within range.

Game-Turn 5) The same order as Game Turn 4.

Game-Turn 6) Both sides have a die rolled for them to see which side gets the initiative and moves first. All the Union army can be moved as can the Confederate army. Both sides have a die rolled for them to see which side fires first. Use the fire and combat rules for the 2 player game.

Game-Turn 7) As game-Turn 6.

Game-Turn 8) As Game-Turn 7.

This finishes the Game. The side with the lower losses in Stands is the winner.

The system used here is a bit different from the normal solo rules. This is a big battle and using the above movement sequence ensures all the Stands come into play historically.



The Two Player game.

Game-Turn 1) Only the Union 1st Corp is moved this Game Turn and has the initiative. On the Confederate side only Daniel Harvey Hills Division can be moved. The normal Fire sequence takes place.
The Game is played as normal  from Game-Turn 2 onward.

The Confederate  Ambrose Powell Hills Division can only enter the game on Game-Turn 5.
However that does not stop you playing the battle out in your own style.

The Sunken Lane;
This is a Trench, and is covered by the rules for Trenches.

Nicodemus Hill.
Stands cannot be moved on or off Nicodemus Hill on the front face. The stands can only be moved via the squares adjacent to the West Wood.

Antietam Creek can only be crossed via the bridge.

Rail Fences ; These do not count as cover

Ranges of weapons;

All muskets are rifled ; 3 squares.
Artillery; most of the artillery at this battle were either Napoleons or 3inch rifled. Both  had the same range so all artillery is 4 squares.

Well, this is my interpretation of the battle. The figures are 15mm Peter Pig and Miniature Figurines. Most of the Generals are Peter Pig.

The flags are from Peter Pig. as are nearly all the buildings. The Dunker church is a Peter Pig building with a cocktail stick cross although I think the Company also has a church amongst its building range.

The split rail fence was made by MBM Scenery in 10mm.

Some of the hills were made by Brian at Essex Miniature, and some were home made especially Nicodemus Hill.

The roads, river and cornfield are of thin card.
The trees were from various manufactures.

Finally the bases are 40mm square cardboard mounting card. The round Command bases are 40mm mdf from Minibits.






 








Friday, 21 February 2020

2nd Bull Run ( Battle of Manassas) 29th & 30th August 1862.

Well, this battle was more involved than I thought. Not having an in- depth knowledge of the war, there were a couple of points I found confusing.

One item is that there were two formations designated as 3rd Corp. Anyway, I digress.

This battle came about because, Robert E. Lee managed to out-manoeuvre Pope. Lee also managed this because of the mental stamina of the men under his command.

The battle of Brawners Farm took place South of Stoney Ridge a few days before Manassas. Although a small action it was no less sanguine, with both sides standing toe-to-toe in close range fire. Even the Officers suffered.

Amongst the Confederates, Taliaferro was wounded three times and General Ewell had his leg shattered by a minie ball which led to amputation.

This was a foretaste of events to come. Jackson had found an excellent position on the wooded
hillside of Stony Ridge from which to fight a defensive battle.

Jackson was also aided in his defense by an unfinished railway embankment. Knowing that Longstreet was on his way in support Jackson  settled his men in position for the coming battle.

The Union General Pope finally found out where Jackson was, having found out about the battle of Brawners Farm. However, Popes army as well as his battle plan was in total chaos thanks to the speed and hard marching of the Confederate forces.

The Union Army gradually assembled from all points of the  compass in front of Jackson's position as Pope sent forward any formations
within marching distance.

The battle was fought over two days. On the first day (the 29th ), Jackson was against the Union Generals; Siegel, Heinztelman and Reno
plus a Division led by John F. Reynolds.

Longstreet, with Lee, turned up later on the first day. As much as Lee wanted Longstreet to attack to take the pressure off Jackson, Longstreet demurred wanting to know what was in front of him.

Jackson's men held on, at one point throwing rocks at the advancing Union forces due to a shortage of ammunition.

On the 2nd day, ( the 30th ) Longstreet attacked!!;

Confederate Army of Northern Virginia.
Left Wing ( 29th August)
24,000 = 24 points.

Major General Stonewall Jackson @ 2 points.
General Ambrose P. Hill @ 2 points.

3 stands of 1st class Line Infantry @ 3 points = 9 points.
3 stands of 2nd class Line infantry @ 2 points = 6 points.

1 stand (A ) James E.B Stuart,s cavalry;
dismounted @ 1 point = 1 point.

1 stand ( B ) Fitzhugh,s cavalry;
dismounted @ 1 point = 1 point

3 stands of Horse Artillery @ 1 point = 3 points.

Union Army of Virginia;
Formations present on the 29th  August
48,000 = 48 points.

1st Corp ;

Franz Siegel ; @ 1 point.
6 stands of 2nd class Line Infantry @ 2 points = 12 points.
2 stands of Horse Artillery @ 1 point = 2 points.

3rd Corp ( from the Army of Potomac )

Samuel Heinztelman @ 1 point.
4 stands of 2nd class Line Infantry @ 2points = 8 points.
2 stands of Heavy Artillery' @ 2 points = 4 points.

9th Corp;

Jesse L. Reno @ 1 point.
4 stands of 2nd class Line Infantry @ 2 points = 8 points.
2 stands of Heavy Artillery @ 2 points = 4 points.

John F. Reynolds @ 1 point. Reserve Division;
1 stand of 1st class Line Infantry @ 3 points = 3 points.
1 stand of 2nd class Line Infantry @ 2 points = 2 points.
1 stand of  Horse Artillery @ 1 point = 1 point.

Notes;

● This 1st battle will last for 8 turns.

●The Confederate Army get the Initiative Point on every turn even when they move 2nd.

● The Confederate Army moves 1st on the
first game turn. All other Game-Turns are
diced for as usual.

● The line of trees count as a wooded area.

● The railway embankment counts as a Trench
or low earthworks.

The Battlemap;



The Battle. The first day;



The second day, 30th August 1862;

Confederate Army of Northern Virginia
Right Wing; 26,000 = 26 points.

Major General James Longstreet @ 2 points.
Nathan " Shanks" Evans @ 2 points.

4 stands of 1st class Infantry @ 3 points = 12 points.
4 stands of 2nd class Infantry @ 2 points = 8 points.
2 stands of Horse Artillery @ 1 point = 2 points.

Union Army of Virginia = 22,000.

5th Corps;

Fitz-John Porter @ 1 point.
5 stands of 2nd class infantry @ 2 points = 10 points.
1 stand of Horse Artillery @ 1 point = 1 point.

3rd Corp;
Irvin McDowell @ 1 point.
4 stands of 2nd class Infantry @ 2 points = 8 points.
1 stand of Horse Artillery @ 1 point = 1 point.

As you can see on the map, those Stands that are positioned on the table for the 2nd  battle are marked in red.

This second picture shows the stands that show up on the 2nd day.



Robert E. Lee turned up late on the first day with Longstreet.
The Union General John Pope finally arrived on the second day.
Although both Generals were present, they did not directly influence the battle so they have no points.

The Confederate Cavalry are worth 1point.  When dismounted, the cavalrymen  have zero points and a basic die is rolled for their firing and close combat.

The two Confederate stands positioned on the
flank of Chinn ridge can be bought on during
the 2nd battle. The Confederate  player throws
a die 6 at the start of their chosen Game Turn.
A six must be thrown for these two stands to
be moved onto the table.

The first and second day of the battle are played as two games each of 8 Game Turns. At the end of the first game, the Confederate player may reorganise any Stands still positioned on or around Stoney Ridge.

Bull Run can only be crossed at the bridges.

Well, this is my interpretation of the battle.
All done on a 3 foot x 2 foot table with 15mm
figures.

The figures shown in the pictures are Peter Pig and Miniature Figurines with a few Essex Miniatures.
The flags are by Peter Pig. The square bases are cardboard and the round bases are 40mm MDF From Minibits ( Pendraken ).