The Battle of the Bloody River

My opponent, Bill G, is an old army mate. He is mainly a WWII gamer, but also has played NMTBH and a couple of games of Green Jackets (a light version, without the card bidding), and is new to horse and musket battles. This game was set up as a training game, to see how he liked the smell of black powder and horse manure. Bill is defending an important bridge over the Bloody River, in southern Pennsylvania, 1863. To do that he has a US infantry brigade (Bartlett's 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, VI Corps) of four regiments, an ammo’ train and attached artillery and cavalry. There are also some old earthworks on the west bank of the river and some reinforcements, at least two more infantry regiments, arriving shortly. Opposing him I have Early’s Division, supplemented by Chambliss’ brigade of cavalry.

I have to seize and clear the bridge within 14 turns. Here’s the final terrain set up with houses, fences, walls and enclosed fields.

The game map

The bridge on the Bloody River and Pekkerville.

The Confederate entry side- and US ambush killing ground.

Bill's situation and forces can be read at https://dalg.id.au/ACW/ACW%20Game.doc

The rules are as written, with two house rules:

1. Units can’t go out of ammo on their opening volley unless the scenario states that they are low on ammo’
2. Units that have fired their opening volley have a short length of black pipe cleaner placed on their command stand, as a reminder.

Bill doesn’t know what I have, just that a division-sized force is heading his way and he can deploy within six inches of the table edges to the east of the river. Bill’s first decision was whether to deploy forward or to man the breastworks and let the river and fire keep the Reb’s at bay.

The Reb’s order of march, written before Bill had made his decision, has the classical cavalry vanguard, deployed as skirmishers, and two flank guards are cavalry regiments, moving in march column. The main division’s body is in march order/limbered along the road (12 regiments in total). Each brigade has an attached battery of artillery. On turn 1 my troops have to march onto the table, thumb in bum and mind in neutral, into whatever greeting Bill had organised. They can’t start deploying until the vanguard or flank guards find some enemy (one way or the other). So Bill may be able to ambush my troops on Turn 1, but that’s the idea- get straight into the nitty gritty of the rules.

Coming down the North Road is Hays’ Louisiana brigade, led by the 13 Va Cavalry as advance guard. This force had been detached to secure the north road from US troops.

GT1

Bill chose well and a dismounted cavalry regiment (1st WV- a big unit, armed with Spencer repeating rifles), two regiments of infantry and a gun battery were waiting when the Reb's ambled up the road, complaining about the food, the weather, why you should only use 10 herbs and spices on chicken, how the new music sounds like a tomcat being neutered while also being strangled, and why the bloody kids of today have no respect.

Then the shooting started.....

In the movement phase of Game Turn (GT) 1 the Rebel’s main body van and flank guards finished their turn on the eastern edge of the board, while the detachment coming down the North road appeared on Bill’s left front. This force was led by the 13^th Va Cavalry, in skirmish order, and an infantry regiment (5^th Louisiana) was in march column on the road. Bill’s troops were on “Hold” orders, which allowed them to fire on the Rebs when they appeared. The ambush was sprung!

Bill’s dismounted cavalry, armed with repeaters, concentrated their fire on my left flank guard, which was in march column. Despite being in skirmish order Bill’s cavalry reduced the 10^th Va Cavalry by 60% with their opening volley (thanks to a roll of 11 on the dice). His right infantry regiment (121^st New York (NY)) and artillery aimed at the 9^th Va Cavalry, who were in skirmish order. The artillery was ineffective, but the infantry dropped a few cavalrymen. His left hand regiment (95^th Pennsylvania (Pa)) fired into the 2^nd North Carolina (NC) Cavalry, also in march column, causing 20% casualties.

The Reb cavalry, being only armed with pistols when mounted, were out of range of the Yanks, and couldn’t return fire. While 2^nd NC and 9^th Va Cavalry weathered the lead storm, the high losses of the 10^th Va saw them withdraw, shaken.

On GT 2 Bill’s troops immediately resumed their fire , having been given “FR” orders. A couple more casualties were suffered by the 9^th Va Cavalry, and 2^nd NC Cavalry lost another 20% casualties to artillery and rifle fire. In the movement phase the (offboard) main body infantry and artillery were shaking out into fighting formations, masked by their suffering cavalry. Morale tests saw the 10^th Va Cavalry regain their morale, but they were held back from returning to the fray. On my right flank the 13^th Va Cavalry dismounted and, in skirmish order, advanced towards the guns. The 5^th La had formed line and were advancing on the flank of 95^th Pa.

A rush of blood saw the CO of the 9^th Va Cavalry decide to do a “ride by” on the troublesome Yankee horsemen. The regiment moved off to its left, curling around the Yankee right and closing with the US troopers. They were firing their pistols, and threatening to capture the 1^st WV Cavalry’s horses. However, further losses triggered a morale check and I rolled a three. Shaken, the 9^th Va Cavalry pulled back, leaving the Yankee mounts uncaptured.

GT 3 saw Bill’s troops, having completed their orders to delay the Rebel force and do as much damage as possible, retiring. The guns limbered up and started down the hill, screened by the 95^th Pa. 121^st NY withdrew in good order and 1^st WV Cavalry withdrew to their horses and mounted up. The first troops from the main body Confederate infantry (the 6^th NC and 31^st Va in extended line, flanking the 13^th Georgia (Ga) Infantry , who were in skirmish order) had just entered the board- too late.

Back in Pekkerville Bartlett was getting some quick repairs done on the breastworks, and had sent one of the regiments (96th Pa) to look for fords that the Rebs may try to use. He was "encouraging" the troops, and was mightily pleased. Having noticed a dustcloud to his south-east, he'd dispatched an ADC to identify the source of the dust. The ADC had just returned with the welcome news that two regiments from Russell's brigade, his promised reinforcements, were only a mile away.

Continued next weekish.