American Civil War

ACW Ironclads

This weekend the local HMGS-South group played a game of Ironclads, using the board game rules with some adjustments to accommodate miniatures larger that the game’s one-hex ship counters.

The scenario was to be loosely based on the CSS Arkansas attacking the Union fleet at Baton Rouge in August of 1862. The large number of players that showed up required some non-historical ship additions .

The ships were 1/600 scale models from Thoroughbred.

Confederate fleet.

Union fleet.

Initial setup with a lone Union picket watching the channel.

Signaling errors result in an early collision in the Confederate fleet.

The Union picket ship, under fire from the Confederate fleet, maneuvers out of the way.

Collisions are narrowly avoided in mid channel. The Union picket is on fire and will eventually be abandoned.

The Manassas has maneuvered for a ram attack but suffers a rudder hit just short of the enemy.

The Arkansas runs through the Union fleet. A Confederate sidewheeler’s boilers explode as she burns.

The Charleston rams a Union river ironclad.

Black Powder ACW – Piedmont 1864

This weekend the local HMGS-South group played a Black Powder Civil War game. The scenario was loosely based on the Battle of Piedmont, June 5th, 1864.

Black Powder rules modifications: BP-ACW specific rules (distances were adjusted for a ground scale of 50 yards per inch)

The river and hill terrain was based on Google Map terrain.

Barricades of felled trees protect some of the troops.

The Union advance with most of the artillery in the center, infantry brigades on each side and cavalry on the far left.

Union cavalry moving fast in march column are charged by Confederate cavalry. One Union regiment is destroyed.

The Union guns destroy a Confederate battery while the Union infantry advances.

Union cavalry and infantry gradually push back the Confederate right wing.

A Union regiment is broken by canister fire and another retreats. The second Union line charges in.

The Union assault on the barricades has failed, and the Confederate line shifts to face the threat to their right.

A Confederate battery is charged in the flank.

Union cavalry massed for an attack on the remaining Confederate cavalry.

After four hours of play we called the game. The Union took heavy casualties to their largest brigade, the Confederates lost two batteries and cavalry losses were about even.

Fire and Fury Brigade AAR

This weekend the local HMGS-South group played a Civil War scenario using the brigade Fire and Fury rules. Each side had three infantry divisions and one cavalry division. Eight players participated and each commanded a division. The scenario was a non-historical meeting engagement.

Large wooded areas will restrict movement of units entering the table.

Confederate cavalry temporarily occupies a central hill.

The weakest confederate division screens the right flank while the main force advances on the left. Union troops deploy from their road columns all across the front.

Union cavalry advances dismounted on the (Confederate) right. The main Union advance seems to be on the left. Several Union batteries massed on a hill begin to pound the Confederate lines.

Confederate infantry charge on the left.

Union troops continue to arrive in the center.

Confederate infantry charge on both flanks.

The lines are a bit confused at the end of play.

After about four hours of play we had to quit with the battle still undecided.

Fire and Fury (Brigade) ACW

This weekend the local HMGS-South group played a Civil War scenario using the brigade Fire and Fury rules. Each side had three infantry divisions and one cavalry division. The Confederates were tasked with attacking to capture a crossroads, the surrounding high ground and a town beyond. The Union deployed first, but were allowed to re-position one division after seeing the Confederate deployment.

The Confederates make their main attack on their left with two divisions, screen on the right with one division and leave the cavalry division off the table as a reserve.

The initial deployment as seen from the Union side. One Union infantry division is off table as a reserve.

The Union begins to redeploy to face the greater threat to their right.

The main Confederate attack is launched.

Infantry and artillery fire weakens the Union right.

The Union right wing has suffered heavy casualties. The Confederate reserve cavalry charges in column through the crossroads and captures two Union batteries. Neither was able to fire on the charging cavalry. The Union reserve infantry division enters behind the town.

The main Confederate attack on the left has destroyed or driven off a Union division.

The final position from the Union side.

We had to end the game at this point due to time. The Confederates held the crossroads and the three hills overlooking it, while the Union held the town. Union losses were heavier.

Fire and Fury AAR

This weekend the local HMGS-South group played another ACW game at the Dogs of War shop using the Fire and Fury (Brigade level) rules. In preparation for a campaign, this battle was set up to test an attack/defense scenario with the attacking force having a numerical advantage. Each side had two players, commanding a total of three infantry divisions, one cavalry division and several artillery units. The Confederate side setup first, lining a long ridge which gives a small advantage in charge (melee) combat. Most of the cavalry was dismounted to provide enough troops to cover the approximately eight feet of table. The Union players then chose to enter in supporting lines with their cavalry division on their extreme right.