Blue vs Grey - Battle Report

 Phil paid a visit recently and we decided to have a go at an American Civil War game.  We used a set of home grown rules that smacked of Featherstone/Grant, but with a twist.  An idea borrowed from Perry's Travel battle, we increased the importance of brigade commanders, them having to be in close proximity to units for orders to be issued. This added a new dynamic and interest to the game as units carried out orders then stopped awaiting new direction, although they can engage enemy units that threaten when required.  Deploying the commanders forward increased the likelihood of their becoming casualties and complicating the command process.

I played blue, while Phil played grey.

An overview of the battlefield, with the grey forces on the left; blue to the right

The Federal commander deploys his forces on the right, with the idea of sweeping up the Confederate left flank.

Confederate cavalry, some skirmishers and the Alabama regiment hold their left, with two batteries of guns in the field towards the centre.

A whole Brigade of infantry in column begin to move forward on the Confederate right flank.

The Confederates quickly occupy a farm, which will later be supported by artillery and this position will become a thorn in the side of the Federal army.

Concerned about the Confederate build up on the left, federal reserves are called forward, while the guns fire into the Alabama Regiment and the Confederate artillery.

Phil pushed out the Alabama Regiment to threaten the Federal right, supported by his artillery:

However, I had deployed the Federal Sharpshooters into a wood and they picked off the grey troops, forcing them to halt and withdraw.  During this action one of the Confederate brigade commanders falls, causing some chaos:

The Sharpshooters were supported by a regiment of cavalry that trotted around the Confederate left.  For some reason the Confederate cavalry had moved off over to the other side of the field, giving the federal cavalry the freedom to move around the flank:

Seeing the Confederate brigade moving around to threaten the Federal left flank, the Pennsylvania Regiment is deployed up against the rail fence in support of the New York Zouaves, who by now had taken quite a few casualties from rifle and cannon fire.

Early on one of the federal batteries is destroyed and the unmanned gun can be seen on the left in the field.

Two regiments of Confederate infantry are now approaching from the the Federal left, moving through a wheat field.  In the far distance another federal regiment attempts to attack the Confederate guns, supported by Sharpshooters and cavalry.  However, the field is being swept by close range artillery and casualties mount.

The Federal cavalry sweep into the remnants of the Alabama Regiment and see off some Confederate skirmishers, but hindered by the rail fence and suffering casualties from the guns, their success is short lived; however, the Confederates lose another commander, leaving just one general to command the whole army.  Things slow down for the Confederates 

The Confederates emerge from the wheat field and are met by federal volleys causing some casualties amongst the Texas Regiment and the Kentucky Volunteers.

Without leaders, the Confederate advance comes to a halt and Phil decides to call it a day, which was a shame as the Confederates looked to be in a strong position.  

BUT

After a beer or two, we decided to return to the game, allowing the Confederate Army Commander to take tactical command of the units on the Confederate left. The one remaining brigade commander could now reengage around the wheat field.  Soon the Confederates gained the upper hand and the result of the game was reversed.

This was a most enjoyable game, played with my old Spencer Smith troops and simple but effective rules.

        
    

General Update

I recently finished painting these rather charming 30mm British Lancers from the Spencer Smith Classic range.  The lance arm is a separate casting, so it would be a simple task to create sword equipped cavalry, something that I might try.

Elsewhere, I have been very distracted by other projects.  I recently received a heap of plastic Samurai figures and I have been working through those. the infantry are from the MB board game 'Shogun' and the cavalry are by Zvezda:

However, I have been further distracted by the release of the Warlord Epic Battles Waterloo series, which has seen some major painting sessions underway.  Bob Black has bought the French and I the British. In each army there are 12 infantry, six cavalry and 5 batteries.  Not only an epic battle, but an epic painting project too!

New Spencer Smith ACW Castings

 Just before Christmas I asked Peter Johnson at Spencer Smith Miniatures if he would be able to do some conversions on his ACW 30mm classic range.  He has done this and some samples arrived yesterday.

From left to right there is a Zouave wearing boater hat, Zouave in kepi, standard bearer in soft hat as well as a drummer and bugler. Next there is an officer with raised sword arm in kepi and finally a riderless horse for dismounted cavalry.  Not shown here, but Peter has also produced standing and kneeling dismounted cavalry in kepi.

These figures are not listed yet on the Spencer Smith site, but Peter assures me that they are available on request.

These small additions will greatly expand the uniform options for the range and, along with the new limber and riders, provides a good range of ACW figures.

Spencer Smith ACW Artillery Limber and Gun

In conjunction with Peter Johnson at Spencer Smith Miniatures, I have been developing a limber to go with the ACW artillery piece that is already available in the range.  The basis for this project is the horse and musket era limber that has recently been added to the Spencer Smith catalogue.

The main differences are that I have four horses rather than two, I have used larger gun wheels on the limber and have added some hand rails.  Peter has also sculpted some outriders, which I have added.

Overall, I am quite pleased with the results and these limbers (I have to construct five more) will add interest to games.

 

Spencer Smith ACW Dismounted Cavalry - Test Shots

 Peter Johnson at Spencer Smith Miniatures has very kindly produced some ACW dismounted cavalry figures wearing kepis.  In addition he has converted a kneeling figure, which will be very useful.

I have a regiment of cavlry for both north and south, but I wanted to depict them in the dismounted role on the wargames table.  I also wanted them wearing kepis.  The other requirement is to have horse holders, so I have used the standing figure with three riderless horses in the role, while the kneeling chaps form the firing line.  I had to use horses from Irregular Miniatures, although I would have preferred something from Spencer Smith, if it were available.

Here are some test shots of some samples recently received from Peter:

I am also working on some ACW limbers from Peter, which look very promising too.

Spencer Smith Zulus

 I got these figures out to do a little touching up and thought I would post some pictures.  These are charming, solidly made figures from the Spencer Smith range that are very easy to paint:

Rabbit Run part 2 - Battle Report

 Many have observed the similarity of this game to the demonstration game set in the Plattville Valley by Donald Featherstone. Those observations were correct.  I was going to refight this battle, however, given the size of my table I had to adapt it somewhat.  Also, the troop levels were completely different.

All that said, the battle kicked off just after lunch, both sides having deployed on to the high ground on each side of the river.  The CSA forces decided their position was strong enough to defend, while Federal General Smith realised he was going to have to assault and force the rebels off Mole Hill and the features dominating the bridge over the river.  

The Federal plan was to attack on the left across the bridge to fix the rebels and try to draw off the resrves and put in the main attack on the right flank against Mole Hill and its farm.

The action began with the Iowa Regiment rushing the bridge in the face of artillery fire and musketry from the Texans.  They got off lightly, only losing one figure, while Union battery 3 engaged the rebel guns taking out a gunner:

,

The Iowa Regiment made it to the fence line OK and attempted to shake out into a firing line:

But, now they were in range of the Texas veterans who poured volleys across the wheat field, as did the rebel gun:

The Iowa's colonel fell and their morale broke causing them to rout back over the bridge, where they were decimated by fire from the Alabama Regiment on Warren Ridge.  Their rout continued off the table despite an attempt by General Reeves to rally them:

The Federal attack on the left had failed and action was reduced to an exchange of fire over the river between the Alabama Regiment and the New Jersey boys, that caused casualties on both sides.

Federal General Smith, decided that further attacks on the left would be futile and he sent orders for Parson's Brigade to take Mole Hill.  This action began with the Federal Sharpshooters advancing towards the corn patch where they ran into the Mississippi Sharpshooters.  A brisk fire fight developed between the two groups of skirmishers. Initially the Federal sharpshooters were forced back after taking light casualties:

However, having rallied the Federal skirmishers saw off the Mississippi Sharpshooters, who doubled away to the rear past the Kentucky Regiment::

The Federals now concentrated their fire on the Georgia Regiment holed up in Mole Hill farm and the combination of musket, skirmish and artillery fire caused several casualties:

Meanwhile, having been tangled up amongst the snake fences around the Wheatfield, Parson's brigade shook out and began its move towards Mole Hill:

Taking some fire from the Georgians, the new Yorkers and Illinois Regiment pushed on. With a final charge, the Illinois Regiment stormed into the farm and a furious melee ensued:

Realising that the Georgians in the farm were in danger of being overun, CSA General Johnson orders the Kentucky Regiment to advance, while he heads off to shore up the defences of Mole Hill.

Unfortunately for Johnson, the Georgians are all but wiped out and the farm falls to the Illinois Regiment, who continue their rampage by charging into CSA Battery A, wiping that out too.  In the Melee General Johnson is pulled from his horse and dies:

The collapse of the Rebel left begins. With the loss of General Johnson, the Georgians and the artillery, the Kentucky Regiment must take a morale test. They fail and rout from the field.

On the other side of the field the New Jersey Regiment on Twin Buttes continues its exchange of fire with the Alabama Regiment, eventually forcing the latter back off Warren Ridge:

At the same time Federal artillery Battery 3 scores a direct hit on CSA Battery C, wiping out the crew:

With the demise of the CSA gunners, the Vermont cavalry decide to make a charge across the river bridge:

This is a mistake as they run into a hail of fire from the Texans, losing nearly half their number. However, this small victory cannot save the CSA army and General Spencer gives the order for a withdrawal, covered by the Texans and Virginia cavalry.  The battle is over leaving the Federals in control of the field, but they are exhausted and unable to pursue.

For this game I used Featherstone's rules.  I found that they could be very cruel when it came to a firefight, especially when followed by poor morale.  Infantry volleys are devastating when they hit home. That said, this was a fun game and an excellent way to give these lovely old soldiers a try out. It was certainly enjoyable and spectacular.  I think the Texans deserve a battle honour for this one!

First Action at Rabbit Run - Part 1

 My newly painted and reorganised Spencer Smith figures have deployed for their first action - the battle of Rabbit Run.

1861, CSA General Spencer's Division has been detached to rapidly move forward to seize and hold the high ground overlooking the crossing of the Rabbit Run river. The Union has a similar idea and General Smith is rushing up the Turnpike with his division, with a very similar Mission.  The forces of Generals Spencer and Smith are about to collide.

The battlefield is shown below, looking from the North (Union side), with Rabbit Run snaking from North around to the east.  Key features are Warren Ridge, Twin Buttes and Mole Hill, with its farm on top:

The organisation of the two forces are:

Spencer's Division CSA:

Buller's Brigade

Texas Regiment,

Alabama Regiment

B Battery Artillery

C Battery Artillery

Johnson's Brigade

Kentucky Regiment

Mississippi Sharpshooters

Georgia Regiment

Virginia cavalry

A Battery Artillery

The Texans have deployed forward and are defending a wheat field on the east flank, amongst some trees, with C battery in support:

The Alabama regiment are working their way onto Warren Ridge, with B battery in support:

On the West flank the Georgia regiment holds Mole Hill, with A Battery and the Virginia cavalry in support:

Meanwhile, the Mississippi Sharpshooters hold the Corn Patch, with the Kentucky regiment in Reserve:

General Smith's Union Forces consist of:

Reeve's Brigade:

Iowa Regiment

New Jersey Regiment

No 3 Battery Artillery and Vermont cavalry in Support.

Parson's Brigade:

New York (Zouaves) Regiment,

Illinois Regiment,

Berdan's Sharpshooters

Nos 1 & 2 Artillery Batteries in support.

The Union have pushed the Iowa regiment up along the Turnpike, while the New Jersey regiment advance up the Twin Buttes:

On the west flank Parson's Brigade is deployed facing Mole Hill, behind the snake fences of the Wheatfield:

The battle is about to commence - more later