Barren Victory, Scenario 1 “The First Day” – Session 4

Welcome back to the AAR for Barren Victory, “The First Day”.  And now… session 4.

 USA 11:00 am

As you may recall, Forrest overran the Reserve Corps HQ, pushing them into an emergency corps retreat.  Wilder has held up Hood’s avance on 14th Corps rear long enough for 14th Corps to trap Forrest and prepare for Hood’s 1st Corps to approach.

Stevens’ 1/Res Division gets intiative and issues a divisional goal to 1/Res.  This gets 1 of the Reserve Divisions out of defensive mode and on the move.  Two divisions of 14th Corps close in on Forrest, but Forrest’s boys are tough.  They manage to push back the Federal attack.

FORREST’S BOYS PUSH BACK 1/14 AND 3/14 WITH DEFENSIVE FIRE

At the South end of the map, near Lee & Gordon’s Mill, 2/20 Division gains initiative and they begin to set up a defensive line in an attempt to hold back Polk’s remaining divisions, should they begin to advance across the Chickamauga.

Meanwhile, Wilder and his cavalry Division are making like difficult for Hood’s 1st corps along the Lafayette Road.  They swoop in and destroy the 1st Corps supply wagon. 

CSA 11:00 am

Things start off rather interesting for the Confederates 11:00 am turn.  F-Cav rolls for Corps Attack Stoppage and fails.  This means that the entire division must be out of small arms range at the end of the movement phase.  This is fortunate for Forrest and his boys because they are taking a beating.  The terrain is good for a defensive position and they may just be able to hold out long enough for Hood to arrive and help out.

Over at Lee & Gordons Mill, C/P Division tries for and gets initiative; Not a moment too soon for the Confederates.  With Hindman’s Division decimated, the Federals have the upper hand and reinforcements are coming shortly.  Cheatam issues an initiative order to his Division:

Cheatam to C/P Division – Initiative, 11:00 am

“Cross the Chickamauga and support Stuart (S/B Division) in securing the roads South of the Lafayette Road”

Walker tries for and gains initiative for his Reserve Corps.  This is very fortunate for the Confederates.  His two Divisions will now be able to press 14th Corps from the West.  If only Hood could get moving, but he is still being harassed by Wilder on the Lafayette Road.

Cheatam’s C/P Division has been sitting by and watching Hindman (H/P) get torn apart with 1 Brigade eliminated and 2 Brigades along with the Division wrecked.  Now they are more than ready to “open the ball”.

CHEATAM’S DIVISION PUSHES BACK 2/20 AFTER HEAVY FIGHTING

Next up… 11:30

CWB Regimental Sub-Series, Session 1

Welcome to the first session AAR for my PBEM game with Keith Todd.  As you may have seen in my other ongoing AAR of Barren Victory, The Battle of Chickamauga, this will be a nice way to compare the gaming differences between the brigade series  and the regimental series.

We are playing a scenario from “This Terrible Sound”, the second game in The Gamer’s/MMP Regimental Sub-Series of their popular Civil War Brigade Series.  I do plan to do an article on the Sub-Series, for those that are not familiar with it or who have not tried it out.

We are playing the game via Email using Aid de Camp II (ADCII).  This is my first real attempt at using ADCII.  Keith and I started a smaller scenario to work out the bugs, but this is the real deal.

This Terrible Sound

The Battle of Chickimauga, September 20th 1863 

Scenario 6.5 “Polk vs. Thomas”

For those not familiar with the battle, this is the second day of the battle and Polk’s confederates have started to push East and have run into a well positioned and well fortified Thomas.  Historically, Thomas held firm, but since I am playing Polk, my hope is to alter history a bit

The game opens at 8:00 am -

The Confederate have orders at the beginning of the game.  Some of these orders are in delay status.  This means that the Confederate player must roll for acceptance each turn during the command phase before acting on the order.

Pre-Game orders for the CSA are as follows -

• H Corps is ordered to attack at once to clear the Lafayette Road
  • B/H Division is ordered to capture the McDonald Field and flank the Union line for the North
  • C/H Division is ordered to launch a frontal attack against the line along Kelly Field.  This order is in a D5 status, meaning that the player must roll a 5 or a 6 on a d6 to accept and activate the order
• The Reserve Corps have an order to support H Corps.  This order is in D6 status meaning the player must roll a 6 on a d6 to accept and activate the order
• C/P Division has orders to act as wing reserve and await further orders
• S/B Division is ordered to attack the Poe Field.  This order is in a D6 status
• F/Cav is ordered to advance with B/H Divison and protect its Northern flank with the help of 10 Conf/S/P/F Cav which is attached to D/P/F Cav

CSA 0800 -

With the orders above, H Corps drop there haversacks and begin to march forward into battle.   Reserve Corps rolls for order acceptance on its D6 order and rolls a 6.  The order is accepted and they are moving out in support of H Corps.

The Union works look very formidable. 

 

USA 0800

The Federal player also has several pre-game orders.  Those are as follows:

• 14th Corps is ordered to defend the line of the Lafayette Road from the McDonald House to the Brotherton House and Field
• 2/20 Division is attached to 14 Corps
• 2/21 Division is attached to 14 Corps
• 1/2/14 has orders to defend the Union flank in the McDonald Field
• The rest of 2/14 has orders to moved to Snodgrass Field and await further orders 

 CSA 0815

F/Cav takes up positions on the North end of McDonald Field and take a few long range shots from the Federal troops on the left flank of the Union line.  B/H Division moves in column East approaching McDonald Field and sets up lines of battle across the defending Federals

CWB Regimental Sub-Series AAR – A Preview

My good gaming buddy Keith Todd and I are just about ready to begin a “Play By Email” (PBEM) game from the wonderful game by the Gamer’s/MMP called “This Terrible Sound”. 

We have decided on scenario 6.5, “Polk vs. Thomas”.  This is one of the mid-sized scenarios from the game and it looks to be a good one.   Here is the description of the scenario borrowed right out of the book:

On the mornng of the 20th, Polk’s tardy attacks finally commenced against Thomas’ well sited line around the Kelly Field.  Despite repeated attacks and a temporary flank crisis near the McDonald House, Thomas’ line held firm.

You may know by now or have guessed that this game is yet another that takes place at Chickamagua.  We seem to have a little theme going here   I find it to be a fascinating battle and I look forward not only to the game but to learning more about the actual events.

My thanks to Keith Todd for the great games we have played so far, and for diving into a large effort such as this.  Look for Keith’s link on my blog roll.  Those in the gaming community may know of him, and I have been fortunate enough to get to know him.  My first PBEM game was with Keith and he was very patient as I learned and a great teacher.  Thanks Keith!

 Here is a quick screen shot of the Confederate setup at the beginning of the game.  There will be more to come before I get into blogging the action.  Look for a quick write up on the CWB Regimental Sub-Series (RSS) as well as a write up on the different PBEM options available to gamers.

Barren Victory, Scenario 1 “The First Day” – Session 3

Well if you are following the battle thus far, you are getting a treat.  The fighting has been concentrated in the area of Lee and Gordon’s Mill for the most part.  Elements of Crittenden’s 21st Corps have beaten back the lone assault by Hindman’s H/P Brigade. 

Thomas and the 14th Corps have pulled out of the area around Jay’s Mill and are falling back to Roseville Road with orders to link up with the Union Reserve Corps. 

On the Confederate side, Hood, who initially had no orders, accepted orders from Bragg and is currently marching North on the Roseville Road with orders to cut off Thomas and his 14th Corps. 

Forrest was able to gain initiative for F-Cav and is now riding full speed towards Missionary Ridge with orders to intercept Thomas as well.  The Confederates are hoping to catch the Union 14th Corps from two sides and crush them in a vise.

And now we continue with session 3 -

USA 10:00 am -

Granger’s Reserve Corps rolls for initiative and issues orders to advance West away from its defensive position at Missionary Ridge in an attempt to block F-Cav from flanking Thomas who has been marching North on the Roseville Road. 

One Division of Crittenden’s 21st Corps is still fighting it out with Hindmen’s remaining two brigades near the bridge at Lee’s Mill.  They have managed to severely cripple the rebels and are attempting to finish them off.  But at a cost;  1/21 Division is wrecked with one brigade routed and another pushed back out of the fight.

Meanwhile, along the Roseville Road, Wilder’s “Mounted Infantry” have attacked Hoods Division, interrupting their march to cut off Thomas.  This is more of a delaying tactic and although Wilder gets pushed back from the initial defensive fire of Hood’s 1st Corps, the tactic works; Buying time for Thomas to prepare for F-Cav coming in from the East.

WILDER IS PUSHED BACK BUT DELAYS HOOD’S 1ST CORPS

CSA 10:00 am -

Seizing a great opportunity, and in his typical aggressive, dashing style, Forrest overruns the Union Reserve Headquarters.  This triggers an emergency corps retreat for the Reserve Corps.  Those familiar with CWBS game rules know that this is not a great situation for the Union.  Not only does the HQ have to move back 6-12 movement points, but all the other units in the Corps must conduct straggler checks and move back far enough to stay in command radius.  Fortunately for the Union, the terrain is so hilly and wooded in this area, that 6 movement points may only be a hex or two.  Regardless the retreating HQ is now considered without orders and defending in place.  This manouver seriously hampers the Union strategy in this corner of the map.  Having read of Nathan Bedford Forrest’s real-life exploits, it’s cool to see it happen in a game.

Stewart’s Division of Buckner’s Corps rolls for initiative and after attempting to gain initiative every turn in the game, finally succeeds.  Seeing an opportunity at Lee and Gordon’s Mill after one Division of 21st Corps pulls out of the fight with H/P Brigade, Stewart issues the following order to his Division:

Order #5 [10:00 am] Initiative, Stewart

“Move S/B Division to Lafayette Road and attack the 21st Corps at Lee’s Mill”

With that order S/B Division move out and begin to move toward Lafayette Road as the sounds of battle start getting louder and louder as they approach Lee’s Mill.  Little do they know at this point, that they have the very rare opportunity to assault the rear of a Union Division.  With the remnants of a Brigade of Hindman’s Division in front of them and the Chickamauga to their left, the 21st Corps will face a very real chance of getting decimated.

USA 10:30 am -

After having their HQ overrun by “that devil” Forrest, the Union Reserve Corps is forced to retreat, taking with it a few of it’s brigades in order to remain in command radius.  Fortunately for the Reserve Corps, Wilder was able to delay Hood’s Corps on the Rosseville Road near Snodgrass Hill.  This buys enough time for Thomas’ 14th Corps to close in on Forrest.  It looks like Forrest’s gamble may prove to be fatal.  In an attempt to put the 14th Corps in a vice, Forrest himself ends up in a vice.

14TH CORPS CLOSES IN ON FORREST, TRAPPING HIM IN A VICE

CSA 10:30 am -

Near Missionary Ridge, Forrest is engaging the Union Reserve Corps in hopes of capitalizing on the bold move to overrun thier HQ.  Forrest is hoping to keep the massive Corps at bay long enough for Hood to arrive from the South on the Roseville Road.  Forrest is getting concerned at this point, because Hood should have arrived by now.  What could be holding him up?  As a precaution, Forrest leaves a battery of artillery behind, covering the approach from the Roseville Road.  This decision would prove to be most fortunate because Forrest’s worst fears are becoming a reality.  Hood has not arrived and Thomas is marching an entire Division on his left flank.  Now Forrest is caught between the vice of two Union Divisions.  The guns are able to push back the initial probing units of Thomas’ Corps, buying Forrest (and Hood) a little much needed time.

Over at Lee’s Mill, the remaining shambles of Hindman’s Division are barely hanging on.  As luck would have it, they can’t seem to get a Corps Attack Stoppage even though they need a 9+ roll to keep fighting.  On they battle.

Just as all seems lost for Hindman, Stewart’s Division of Buckner’s Corps (S/B) assualts the Union 21st from the rear.  Two artillery batteries are caught limbered and flanked, giving S/B all kinds of wonderful mods on their attack rolls.  Despite this, the dice are not friendly and S/B is not able to inflict much damage.  They are still in outstanding position for the next round of combat though.

STEWART’S S/B DIVISION ASSUAUTING THE REAR OF 21ST CORPS’ LINE

Look for Session 4, 11:00 am coming soon…

Barren Victory, Scenario 1 “The First Day” – Session 2

Welcome back to the After Action Report for Scenario 1, “The First Day” of The Gamer’s Civil War Brigade Series game Barren Victory.  I didn’t really elaborate much in the first installment, but this AAR is taken from a face-to-face (FtF) game that I am currently playing with a buddy of mine, Terry.  This is his second time playing CWBS; In fact the second time he has played a war game of any sort.  He is several years younger than I am, and didn’t even know they existed.  I’m excited about introducing him to the hobby, but even more excited about seeing the younger generation taking an interest in history; Specifically the American Civil War. 

And now to continue on with our little battle… 

Near the Chickamauga River  on September 19th, 1963

USA 0900 –

After some minor skirmishing, Thomas and his 14th Corps decide that the rebels are holding too strong a position.  Thomas was not expecting a full division of cavalry and 2 divisions of the Reserve Corps to be waiting at Jay’s Mill.  Thomas attempts and gains initiative, issuing new orders to his Corps and they begin to pull out toward the East.  Thomas has decided to pull back and join the Reserve Corps at Missionary Ridge.

14TH CORPS BEGINS TO WITHDRAW TOWARD THE EAST

Back at Lee & Gordon’s Mill, the 1st and 3rd Brigades of 21 Corps have survived the flank attack by Hindman’s H/P Brigade.  They have regrouped and and are mounting a counter attack in an attempt to push Hindman back across the bridge or possibly even crush them all together.

1/21 and 3/21 TRY TO PUSH BACK THE H/P BRIGADE

CSA 0900 –

Hindman’s H/P Division are putting up a stiff fight at Lee and Gordon’s Mill, but at a cost.  Manigault’s (M/P/H) and Anderson’s (A/P/H) Brigades suffer heavy losses and are wrecked. 

 

2 OF HINDMAN’S BRIGADES ARE WRECKED BUT H/P FIGHTS ON

Meanwhile, Bragg attempts to get some of his other troops moving and into the action.  All of Bragg’s Division and Corps commanders attempt to gain initiative, but fail.  Fortunately for the Confederates, Bragg got on his horse early in the day and road to Hood’s HQ’s to deliver and order for the 1st Corps in person.  Bragg’s order is accepted by Hood and the 1st Corps begins to move.  Here is how the order reads:

Order #1 [0900] Bragg to Hood

“Advance 1st Corps to Roseville Road.  Cut off and attempt to flank the Union 14th Corps near the McDonald House”

1st Corps collects their gear, unstacks arms and begins marching toward Roseville road.  Despite the anxiety of the almost certain combat that awaits them, after listening the the growing roar of combat coming from the South near Lee and Gordon’s Mills, they are happy to be on the move.  However, much to their surprise, they are moving North away from the sounds of battle.  Is Bragg retreating?  Are the Yanks rolling up our left flank and coming our way?

After reaching Roseville road, the Confederate 1st Corps has to stop and form up for battle because Wilder’s Brigade has taken up position with an artillery battery just East of the Roseville Road.  Wilder’s Brigade is very formidable.  They are armed with Spencer rifles and they are much more adept at infantry tactics than most Cavalry units. 

HOOD’S 1st CORPS RUNS INTO WILDER’S MOUNTED BRIGADE

USA 0930 -Back at Lee and Gordon’s Mill, the Union 3rd Division of the 21st Corps attempts and gains initiative to change it’s orders to defend the roads East of the Chickamauga. This leaves only the 1st and 2nd Divisions to repulse the attack of the now crippled Confederate H/P Division. The fighting continues on that front. M/H/P is routed and forced to retreat back 3 hexes. With the river to the West and the map edge behind them, M/H/P is forced off the map edge. The remaining strength points of the division are marked off as stragglers and they are placed in the Dead Pool; Out of the action for now.

Granger’s Reserve Corps begin moving away from Missionary Ridge and start moving West, back towards the Roseville Road. It appears that they are looking to intercept Hood’s Division en route.

CSA 0930 -At Jay’s Mill, Forrest’s F-Cav attempts and gains initiative. Much to the releaf of Forrest, he is now able to mount up and move out. After seeing Thomas’ 14th Corps suddenly pull out, the agressive Forrest is anxious to get back into the fray. Here is how the order reads:

Order #5 [0930] Forrest to F-Cav (initiative)

” Move F-Cav East to the Bacon House and attempt to prevent 14th Corps from falling back to Missionary Ridge”

Forrest’s cavalry troups mount up and begin to chase after Thomas’ 14th Corps.

Coming Up Next… 10:00 am!