American Civil War

Piedmont – Black Powder ACW AAR

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.

Salem Church – Black Powder ACW AAR

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 (modified from Johnny Reb) was based on the action at Salem Church during the battle of Chancellorsville.

The 15mm figures used were generously donated to several Florida HMGS groups.

Initial positions with the Union on the right on Toll House ridge and Confederates on the left split between the Salem Church ridge and the valley below. The entire valley floor is scrub providing light cover.

Brown’s Brigade has advanced rapidly to the Confederate skirmish lines, forcing them back. Bartlett’s Brigade moves slower on the Union left. Artillery advances down the turnpike. Confederate reinforcements (Semmes’ Brigade, to be followed by Mahoone’s) are slowed by the congestion on the turnpike.

Confederate fire from Wilcox and Semmes, and a flank threat by skirmishing dismounted cavalry have halted Brown’s Brigade, but Bartlett continues to sweep forward through the woods on the Union left.

After several turns of sitting idle on Toll House ridge, Russell’s Brigade rushes across the valley to extend the Union right. This ends the threat to Brown by Semmes’ Brigade and forces the enfilading Confederate battery to retreat. Bartlett has reached Salem Church ridge on the Union left. Mahone’s Brigade has arrived and is deploying on the Confederate left.

Tactically, the action ends with a stalemate at nightfall like the historic action, but for the overall battle that is all the Confederates needed. The Union VI Corps will not be able to move on Chancellorsville.

ACW Kernstown Johnny Reb III Game

The local HMGS-South group played a game based on the first battle of Kernstown, March 23, 1862. Johnny Reb III rules were used. The outnumbered Confederates took the bulk of the casualties, but achieved a strategic win by delaying the Union troops.

These photos show some of the 15mm terrain and miniatures, by Rob of Real-Terrain (RMLHM901@aol.com):

The initial cavalry clash. The Union troops have made a charge straight down the road to forestall the Confederate advance.

Union infantry arrive via several roads.

The main road is crowded with Union reinforcements.

Confederate guns and infantry rush to occupy the stone walls.

The cavalry on both sides have fallen back after the initial clash.

Union infantry moving off the road to make way for the guns.

Union infantry and cavalry try to skirt around the left flank.

Confederate reinforcements have arrived via a road close to the lines and formed up on the right.

Black Powder ACW

Another attempt to reuse old game pieces: TFP (Total Fighting Power) Games counters for American Civil War (the original game was called ‘Iron and Fire‘) used with Black Powder rules by Warlord Games. The TFP brigade organizations (3 infantry regiments and an artillery battery, 4 infantry regiments or 3 cavalry regiments) with some Union artillery attached at division level work well with BP.

The Union attempt to ‘get there firstest with the mostest‘ failed due to bad command rolls.