On Saturday the local HMGS-South group played an American Civil War game at the Dogs of War shop. The rules were Black Powder and the scenario was based on the Battle of Piedmont, June 5th 1864.
In the actual battle, the Confederate infantry formed behind the ridge along Walker Lane and later fell back to barricades in the woods behind. The players were allowed a free setup (still in progress in this photo) and placed the bulk of their infantry and guns to the east of East Road, covering the gap between the two main wooded areas. Confederate cavalry were deployed to the east of the eastern woods.
Union infantry advance to engage at close musket range. Two regiments bypass the Confederate infantry line to threaten the guns on the ridge. In the distance, Confederate cavalry have dismounted and advance on the Union left flank. A Confederate horse battery advanced beyond the lines and was destroyed by a Union mounted charge.
View from the east, Union cavalry move to find room to deploy on the east flank. Union artillery are firing on the Confederate dismounted cavalry. On the ridge, a Confederate battery is destroyed by an infantry charge.
Union cavalry have formed for a grand advance, but poor command rolls delay movement. The Union artillery pounds the right of the Confederate line, but the dismounted cavalry retire in good order. A Confederate cavalry brigade in the woods has broken and retired. The Union infantry forces the Confederate center back, but takes heavy casualties.
The Confederates avoided the rout of the historical battle, while taking significant losses in cavalry and artillery. The Union side was hampered by the cramped deployment area, but attacked boldly in spite of heavy losses in infantry.