I have wanted to participate in some form of a campaign for many years but somehow it just never happened. So when Mick suggested that the two of us run a one for ACW similar to the one him and Scotty were doing for the WSS I jumped at the chance.
Maybe this isn't a campaign with maps and such like but it is certainly a manageable sequence of battles, each one affecting and following on from the other. All I had to do as the Confederate player was calculate an army composed of three corps totalling 900 points. I won't put it on here cause the bugger will read it!
The three corp could be composed however one wanted, so one corp could be small with the other two larger, or one could be full of experienced troops while the others would be green (inexperienced).
Mick as Union commander would do the same, each of us would fight both our 1st Corps against each other, the 2nd, then 3rd. Casualties would be recorded and recruitment points given to each after the battles depending on capture of objectives, command of uncontested table top and casualties inflicted on the opposition. All of this worked out by Mick over many years practise, so credit to him for that!
A second and potentially third sequence of battles would then be fought with the winner of each getting closer to his opponents capital. Battles were fought using Fire and Fury rules adapted to Micks hex terrain with casualties measured terms of stands lost as per the rules.
First encounter. The battle of Oberglau 1862 - I know, we used the Blenheim battlefield length ways on with some woods, trees etc added!
A general view of the game table, you can see Micks Union forces (foreground), in this case cavalry brigades moving swiftly North up the railway track and road. We only allowed the command stands to be on the table initially to disguise the strength of the unit to the opponent. My Confederate Corps would enter the table from the North (top of the picture).
As can be seen my boys did not initially have a road to come on and the village of Lutzingen in the top photo would prove to be a bit of a bottleneck.
Oberglau in the centre of the picture at the rail junction would initially be the primary objective for both sides as the holding of this town would give double victory point at the end of the game.
As can be seen those damn Yankees got there first, one brigade dismounted in the town while the other had the temerity to charge my Confederate cavalry!
Reb horsemanship wins again, the Union brigade is thrown back next to the town, the confederates took some casualties from the occupants but well worth the effort.
Early on I had decided that to assault towns or villages would be too costly in terms of casualties particularly keeping in mind the rest of the ongoing campaign and I was determined to manoeuvre the Union forces out of these positions. Assault was out so as can be seen above the freshly arrived Confederate infantry brigades swept round to the west of the town of Oberglau, repelling a Union attack and driving the Yankees South with great loss.
Though at the cost of Confederate Brigadier General Cole (second photo from the top), commander of the victorious 1st Division the Union troops on the West side of the stream were driven back, Mick had to preserve his cavalry as he had already lost one brigade and would need them in future battles so he had to evacuate the town of Oberglau before being outflanked.
The East side of the battlefield was another story. I had placed two of my three Confederate Divisions and my four reserve corp artillery batteries on the West side in order to outflank and take Oberglau. The 2nd Division though consisted of only four brigades (see above) of average and green troops with one cavalry brigade to cover their flank. These boys had to hold onto their positions until I could force the Union left and outflank the superior troops to 2nd Divisions front.
As can be seen above the two forces slugged it out but as the Union left flank as described previously bent, buckled and finally gave way the opportunity to push the Confederate 3rd Division (bottom two pictures) over the stream and through the woods onto the engaged Union forces flank/rear was too good an opportunity to miss. Mick would have to either skedaddle (a voluntary rout move incurring severe disorder penalties) or be surrounded. Run it was!
Bollocks!!! A somewhat dejected Union commander in need of some moonshine liquor.
There were however a couple of twists still to come. The above two photos show the fight for the important crossing point at the village of Unterglau. Take this and the retreating Union right would be cut off.
Out of eight sets (once each side) of ten sided die rolls only once was anything less than a 7 thrown. three times each side threw a 10 resulting in huge casualties but a subsequent low on ammunition marker. The damn lead was thicker than a hornets nest. I did eventually take the crossing but at some cost and too late to stop Micks remaining forces from retreating off the table.
The (almost) final picture, Confederate forces advancing as fast as they can after the retreating Union troops.
He's not daft this lad, Mick craftily snuck a brigade in and took the opportunity to retake Oberglau after my army left it unoccupied while haring after the rest of his troops at the other end of the table thereby denying me campaign points - the sod!
A decisive Confederate victory and brill game enjoyed by both participants, it will be my turn next time no doubt. I will of course keep you informed regarding subsequent encounters.
Dave.
