We are in the middle of packing up our house to move, so I have already packed and removed all my wargaming figures and scenery to a friend's house for safe storage - I was not going to risk it all on the removal lorries! As a result, I have not been doing any games or painting to show on the blog. However, I did manage a small solo game just after the New Year to test some amendments to my ACW rules (they are based on Mr. Thomas' very useful set). It involved a Union infantry brigade holding a river line and bridge and an attacking Confederate force of one infantry and one cavalry brigade with orders to secure the bridge for an onward advance, it being needed for artillery and supply wagons to cross the river.
The Federals, under General Thrower, had five regiments, plus an artillery battery, and a cavalry regiment; the Confederates under General Barber, had seven regiments of infantry, plus an artillery battery, with two cavalry regiments under General Fisher. The Union troops could not move on Turn One; the Confederates all arrive on the road in the following order: four infantry regiments, one battery, three infantry regiments, two cavalry regiments. The river was passable to infantry and cavalry only, at 2" per move only. I named the units randomly. The Confederates were Average troops, except one Veteran infantry regiment: the Union had three Raw infantry regiments, the rest were Average units. The table is four feet long and three feet wide, play is along the length, not the width.
The table set up. Allanville is at the top right.
Another view of the table.
The Union left wing: 2nd Indiana
The Union cavalry, 13th Ohio, posted forward on the hills, dismounted.
The Union right wing: 10th Ohio.
Out on the hills, forward of the cavalry, another Union regiment: 14th Iowa.
Along the river line: 16th Indiana covering the bridge, A Battery, 5th Indiana Artillery to their left, in reserve, 15th New York.
General Barber directing the 3rd and 19th Georgia along the road.
The Union commander, General Thrower, in the centre of his line.
The advancing Confederates come under fire from the Union battery.
A Battery, 5th Indiana Artillery, opens the engagement.
General Barber has his Georgians deploying astride the road and heading off to the hills, recognising he has to clear them before he can advance against the bridge, while 6th and 8th Louisiana move on behind.
The 19th Georgia has deployed across the hills and comes under fire from 14th Iowa, while 3rd Georgia astride the road is taking losses from the Union battery. The Louisiana regiments are hurrying out to the right.
The19th Georgia presses forward gallantly, as the 14th Iowa keep shooting.
A wider view of the field: on the left, the 14th Iowa has fallen back before the 19th Georgia could close, while on the Confederate right the 6th Louisiana has deployed alongside the 3rd Georgia. More Confederate infantry is arriving, along with their artillery battery.
14th Iowa has retreated before the 19th Georgia's advance, the latter urged on by General Barber.
The Confederates keep pressing forward, with General Barber particularly reinforcing his right.
14th Iowa rally and open fire once more on the 19th Georgia as the latter advances once more.
The build-up on the Confederate right continues and the cavalry brigade under General Fisher arrives.
4th South Carolina to the left; 18th Texas to the right. In front of them can be seen the 10th Texas infantry regiment.
19th Georgia charges the 14th Iowa's again.
A wider view of the field from behind the Confederate lines. Brown's Battery has deployed in the centre and is under fire from its Union opposites.
The 14th Iowa has skeddalded and the 13th Ohio Cavalry are now faced with the triumphant 19th Georgia. General Barber has brought up his veterans, the 15th Virginia, in support of the Georgians, pressing his success along the hills.
14th Iowa has rallied, but now the 13th Ohio Cavalry has retreated, probably wisely, as the 19th Georgia goes forward again, apparently unstoppable!
On the right, the Confederates await the signal to go forward from General Barber, but the latter is carried away by his enthusiasm on the left wing as his men surge along the hills.
14th Iowa stand fast this time and the 19th Georgia has to close to bayonet action; 15th Virginia is close behind.
14th Iowa gives way and retreats across the river, leaving 13th Ohio Cavalry to hold the line once more. General Barber is still leading from the front!
10th Texas waiting in reserve on the right wing.
18th Texas Cavalry moves up on the Confederate right wing.
The patient Confederate right wing waiting their turn to go forward.
2nd Indiana watching and waiting.
The much depleted, but enthusiastic 19th Georgia advances against the 13th Ohio Cavalry, but this time the latter stand fast and the Georgians falter before the steady firing carbines.
2nd Mississippi shift to the left and forward at the double quick.
General Barber now brings up the 15th Virginia; 14th Iowa has rallied once again behind the river.
4th South Carolina Cavalry move off up the road.
The men of the Old Dominion, state flag flying, led by General Barber, charge the Union cavalry.
Back go the cavalrymen and the 15th Virginia reach the bank of the Blue River.
Another wider view of the field. The 2nd Mississippi has deployed and is moving up behind the 15th Virginia. The Confederate right wing still stands fast.
The gallant 19th Georgia rallying on the hills.
The Buckeye troopers stand in the river to meet the 15th Virginia, supported by the 14th Iowa, but then change their minds...
Away go the dismounted Union cavalrymen and the 14th Iowa is faced by the charging 15th Virginia.
Musketry and artillery fire erupt along the Union line defending the river and bridge.
General Barber has finally ordered his right wing forward, pinning the Union defence as he realises his men have the advantage on his left wing. 6th Louisiana leads the advance over the snake rail fence.
6th Louisiana comes under a hail of rifle musket fire and artillery shells as it advances,
suffering heavily.
Disaster on the Union right wing! The 14th Iowa has collapsed and run as the 15th Virginia charged across Blue River. The 13th Ohio Cavalry have rallied, but are wavering. 2nd Mississippi wheels to the right and 4th South Carolina Cavalry comes up in support.
The wavering Union cavalry break and run, leaving the 10th Ohio to hold the line as the 15th Virginia push forward.
2nd Mississippi is engaging 16th Indiana at the bridge, while 3rd Georgia does the same
along the line of the road, At this moment, General Barber was hit by a musket ball and had to retire from the field, handing command to General Fisher.
The Confederate right wing is suffering badly; 6th Louisiana halted, 8th Louisiana tried to advance through them, but under heavy fire gave way and retreated; 10th Texas and the cavalry move up.
The 10th Ohio, rattled by the flight of the 14th Iowa and 13th Ohio Cavalry, decided it was time to go as well and broke and ran before the 15th Virginia, who sweep forward over the snake rail fence. 4th South Carolina Cavalry splash their way forward into the Blue River. The Union right has collapsed!
In the centre of the Union line, the 16th Indiana has broken and retreated into the woods and, by great misfortune, General Thrower was hit by musket fire and killed. The 10th Texas is pressing forward supported by the 18th Texas Cavalry. Their commander fallen and their line of retreat through Allanville cut, the Union troops waver.
The 19th Georgia has rallied back to the flag some of its men and looks ready to go forward, but the Federals have abandoned the struggle and retreat into the woods, leaving the Confederates victors.
It proved to be a fun and exciting game, a nice way to start the year with a small game in a period which first brought me to wargaming all those decades ago, although it was Airfix figures in those days!
The game also suggested my amendments worked well, these being to reduce the likelihood of troops actually coming into hand-to-hand combat and it being more likely for the defenders to run if the attackers kept coming, or for the latter to stall if they took casualties on the way in and the defenders stood. This certainly seems to be what happened from my reading of battlefield events in the Civil War. I think defenders are very likely to stand and fight if behind defences, but not in the open!
For now, my gaming is in abeyance waiting on the move. Maybe in April? Who knows! Moving house in England is, it seems, a most frustrating process!
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