Whilst in an ACW mode I had a go at a scenario I haven't tried before, number 22 in Grant & Asquith (Scenarios for all Ages).
Setting the Scene
Colonel Zebediah Protheroe and his brigade of Missouri Bushwhackers have been harrying General Wise's Union Army of The Potonail throughout the Spring. Finally, the General has managed to corner Old Zeb in a wild part of Featherstone County and has a chance to remove the thorn in his side on a permanent basis. Unfortunately, the General blunders in his choice of officer to undertake the coup de grace, and sends the hapless Colonel Brandon (not the dashing hero of Jane Austen's Sense & Sensibility but a fellow from a much weaker branch of the Brandon family tree, more of a twig really).
Colonel Brandon is lost. Finding a road (it must lead somewhere) he orders his brigade to start marching. They become spread out...
The Bushwhackers have bivouacked on the edge of the road just before it plunges into a wood; Colonel Protheroe has sent his cavalry to forage for food / boots / booze etc
The game begins as the two forces encounter each other. In Turn 1 artillery cannot fire as the guns are not ready. The objective of the Union side is to get at least 50% of their force off the board by the road through the woods, or eliminate the Confederate commander. The CSA objective is to stop the Union force escaping. Game length is 15 turns or when both sides reach Exhaustion Point.
The Game
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| Positions as the 2 sides encounter each other |
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The Bushwhackers leap into action
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Col. Brandon leads from the centre
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Union cavalry hurtles towards the currently silent guns
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The 21st Michigan get caught in the crossfire
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and are wiped out
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The Union cavalry have finally cleared the road
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With a Rebel Yell the Bushwhackers charge in to stop the Union force escaping
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Taking casualties fast, the US Army reaches EP at Turn 9
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Next turn the CSA join them and the battle is over
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The sun goes down. The Bushwhackers melt into the woods and the remains of the Union force must look for a way to rejoin the main Army.
Love the action and great plastic figures.
ReplyDeleteGood to see the Revell boys gettin' in on the action too.
With your permission, I really have to use Zeb Protheroe in a scenario sometime.
Cheers Duc. Feel free to utilize crazy Zebediah - he has a long history of robbin' and killin' and is a thoroughly bad lot! (Colonel Protheroe is of course an Agatha Christie creation - nasty man who gets murdered in a Miss Marple!)
ReplyDeleteTerrific stuff!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I enjoyed it.
DeleteGreat scenario Jack, it looks like it was a great laugh to play out.
ReplyDeleteIt was a fun little game, though not if you were trying to get through the defenders and into the woods
DeleteTough scenario that one, especially for the attacker. I haven't played it in a few years now (or anything from the Redbook now that I stop to think about it.
ReplyDeleteIt is tough and the Book actually says the attackers have to get 60% of their force off the board via the road through the wood which is a big ask.
DeleteA none to easy scenario and a very interesting battle report.
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
Bob
Thanks Bob - I gave the Confederates a +1 on their first round of Close Combat which contributed to the rapid demise of the Union side. I have also given +1 (firing) to Sharpshooters (Union unit in green, running with one hand up) and a firing range of 3 rather than 2 - it didn't help though!
ReplyDeleteI did try very hard not to mention that unit full of sergeants.... (note the sword scabbard)
DeleteTo be honest I hadn't noticed Ross! They must have all been promoted on a whim
DeleteHi Maudlin- Very good to see the 1/72nd ACW Armies- always like this- looks to be a great little Battle. Thanks for Posting. Cheers. KEV.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kev. The next game sees Late 19th Century ImagiNations battling, but I hope to be back to the ACW again soon!
DeleteExcellent scenario and wonderful report. I will be trying this game out soon. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you Mark. It's a nice scenario, as you would expect from two of the giants of Wargaming!
DeleteEven withough deployed artillery, the Union forces were up against it; nevertheless, a good scenario and imho, one that would bear repeating.
ReplyDeleteYou're right there Joe. Definitely one to play a few times.
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