Cavalry in the Shenandoah-Little Wars 2019

This is the third and final entry for Little Wars 2019.  In addition to running three events myself, I assisted my good friend and gaming mentor Mark Anderson with his ACW Fire and Fury game.

Mark is a veteran gamer of probably close to 50 years with a very sizable miniature collection.  He owns the largest gaming miniature collection I have seen in person and it is probably not an exaggeration to say it numbers 40,000 or more figures in various scales from ancients through WWII.

Shenandoah Valley

He hosts a weekly gaming group at his home that meets probably 40+ times a year.  I was fortunate enough to be invited several years ago after meeting at Little Wars and since then myself as well as well as my boys have attended countless times.   The group meet to refight many historical battles in miniature.   While Mark hosts in his home and has a massive collection many of the group members bring and put on their games throughout the year.  This is a great way to playtest new ideas for upcoming conventions.  On any given week you can expect to find between 6-12 gathered to refight the event planned for that week.

Captured wagons being escorted

I tell you this so you understand that Mark does not do anything small.  His submission for Little Wars this year was no exception.  He decided on a hypothetical ACW scenario revolving around a Confederate Cavalry raid North to capture supplies and wagons and the ensuing Union response to try to recapture or destroy the wagons before they could get to safety.  In total each side had 2 cavalry divisions with Artillery and the confederates had a brigade of militia in addition.

Garrison duty

The rules used were Regimental Fire and Fury.  We enjoy both the Regimental and Brigade Fire and Fury for ACW.  We have also used the rule variants to run a number of AWI battles.  They perform very well and are great for a convention game as they are easy to learn, have a very well one quick reference sheet and produce somewhat realistic results.  This is where I and a handful of other "Irregulars" came in to assist Mark in judging and interpreting the rules for the 12 players who had signed up to play in the six hour event.


Rebel Militia

The gaming table was 6x15' and had more 15mm ACW cavalry then I had seen in any event.  We had play tested the scenario a couple times in the months prior to make sure it was somewhat balanced.  The Confederates start on the North end of the table escorting a large wagon train with a goal to get them off the southern end of the table past Winchester, while preventing the union cavalry in pursuit from destroying the wagons and capturing buildings.

Guarding the population center

Once all the players arrived they were divided into teams.  I did a quick explanation of the rules following the turn sequence and how to use the QRS.  Mark did an overview of the scenario and issued OoB as well as orders to the commanders.  The teams briefly divided to form their strategy and then the battle was on.

The OoB and orders were as follows:

Federal Order of Battle                 Low Casualties

1^st Cavalry Division          BG W. Merritt Gallant   6,560 Cavalry 24 Guns

 

1^st Brigade        BG G.A Custer Gallant                                        1,760     Troopers 6 Guns

1^st Michigan     Crack 12-8-5       Beach loading Carbine          480         9,8,7 Stands

5^th Michigan     Crack 12-8-5       Beach loading Carbine          480         9,8,7 Stands

6^th Michigan     Crack 10-7-4       Beach loading Carbine          400         8,7,6 Stands
7^th Michigan     Crack 10-7-4       Beach loading Carbine          400         8,7,6 Stands
6^th Battery N.Y. Lt.            Veteran 3 sections 6-3” Rodman Rifles

 

2^nd Brigade      Col. T.C Devin Able                                              1,600     Troopers 6 Guns

4^th New York    Veteran 12-8-5  Beach loading Carbine          480         9,8,7 Stands       

6^th New York    Veteran 10-7-4  Beach loading Carbine          400         8,7,6 Stands
9^th New York   Veteran 10-7-4  Beach loading Carbine           400         8,7,6 Stands
17^th Penn       Veteran 10-7-4  Beach loading Carbine             400         8,7,6 Stands
2^nd U.S. Battery B             Veteran 3 sections 6-3” Rodman Rifles

 Reserve Brigade   Col. A. Gibbs Able                                         1,600     Troopers 6 Guns

^1st U.S. Cavalry   Veteran 10-7-4  Beach loading Carbine         400         8,7,6 Stands
2^nd U.S. Cavalry Veteran 10-7-4 Beach loading Carbine          400         8,7,6 Stands
5^th U.S. Cavalry  Veteran 10-7-4  Beach loading Carbine         400         8,7,6 Stands
6^th PennsylvaniaVeteran 10-7-4  Beach loading Carbine         400         8,7,6 Stands
2^nd U.S. Battery D             Veteran 3 sections 6-3” Rodman Rifles

 

2^nd Cavalry Division                          BG William Averell

 1^st Brigade  Col. J.M. Schoonmaker Able                               1,600     Troopers 6 Guns

8^th Ohio            Veteran 10-7-4  Beach loading Carbine           400         8,7,6 Stands
14^th Penn         Veteran 10-7-4  Beach loading Carbine            400         8,7,6 Stands       
22^nd Penn         Veteran 10-7-4  Beach loading Carbine           400         8,7,6 Stands
1^st New York    Veteran 10-7-4  Beach loading Carbine           400         8,7,6 Stands
5^th U.S. Battery H      Veteran 3 sections 6-3” Rodman Rifles

 

1^st Brig., 2^nd Division IV Corps       Col. ATA Torbert Able       1,920

1^st New Jersey Veteran 12-8-5 Rifled Musket                          480         9,8,7 Stands
2^nd New Jersey Veteran 12-8-5 Rifled Musket                         480         9,8,7 Stands
3^rdNew Jersey  Veteran 12-8-5 Rifled Musket                         480         9,8,7 Stands
4^th New Jersey Veteran 12-8-5 Rifled Musket                         480         9,8,7 Stands
 5^th U.S. Battery                 Veteran 3 sections 6-12pdr Napoleon’s

 

 

General Merritt,

The enemy has just completed a successful raid into Clarke County with the objective of securing supplies they need desperately. A convoy of captured wagons has been sighted entering the Valley with the objective of reaching Winchester. You are to take your Division into the Shenandoah Valley to capture or destroy those wagons. You are also ordered to take Winchester, either occupy it or burn it and its’ railhead. You are also tasked with destroying all the farms and Plantations you can.

 Assigned to you for this mission is your 1^st Cavalry Division and 1^st Brigade 2^nd Division under BG Averell. 1^st Brigade 2^nd Division from VI Corps is also marching to assist you but we are not sure of when they may arrive.

 We have managed to out flank and penetrate the Valley with 3 of your 4 Cavalry Brigades. The enemy has brought up an Infantry Brigade to form a rear guard protecting the convoy at Dalton. Another Infantry Brigade may have been spotted protecting the bridge over the Shenandoah River near Winchester. Local guides tell us there may be a ford over the Shenandoah, this could be helpful. We believe Winchester to being held by Confederate cavalry and possibly the HQ for Wade Hampton’s Cavalry Division.

 We anticipate a tough fight, your forces are not strong enough to win this fight with frontal assaults only, stay mobile, maneuver where possible to gain an advantage. Remember your cavalry will have a hard time against his infantry. Destroy as much as you can and withdrawn your troop to our lines in Clarke County.

 Good Luck,

 Phil Sheridan

General Commanding

Confederate Order of Battle

 

A.N.V. Cavalry Corps  Maj. Gen. Hade Hampton, Gallant    4,800 Troopers, 16 Guns

                                                                                                                                                                               

3^rd Cavalry Division     Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, Gallant        2,400 Troopers, 8 Guns

Lomax’s Brigade          BG L.L. Lomax, Able                        1,280 Troopers, 4 Guns

5^th Virginia            Crack     12-8-5   Rifled Carbine                 480        

6^th Virginia            Crack     10-7-4   Rifled Carbine                 400

15^th Virginia          Crack     10-7-4   Rifled Carbine                 400

Chew Battery       Veteran               2 Sections 4 12pdr Napoleon’s

 Wickham’s Brigade    BG W.C. Wickham, Able                    1,280 Troopers, 4 Guns

1^st Virginia           Veteran    12-8-5  Rifled Carbine                 480         9,8,7 Stands

2^nd Virginia          Veteran    10-7-4  Rifled Carbine                 400         8,7,6 Stands       

3^rd Virginia          Veteran    10-7-4  Rifled Carbine                 400         8,7,6 Stands

2 Virginia BatteryVeteran 2 Sections 4 3’ Rodman Rifles

 

4^th Cavalry Division   Maj. Gen Willman H.F. Lee, Gallant    2,400 Troopers, 8 Guns

 Chambliss’ Brigade  BG J.R. Chambliss, Gallant                  1,200 Troopers, 4 Guns

9^th Virginia              Veteran 10-7-4  Rifled Carbine               400         8,7,6 Stands

10^thVirginia             Veteran 10-7-4  Rifled Carbine               400         8,7,6 Stands

13^th Virginia            Veteran 10-7-4  Rifled Carbine               400         8,7,6 Stands

Pegram’s Virginia Battery             Veteran    2 Sections 4 12pdr Napoleon’s

 Gordon’s Brigade    BG J.B. Gordon Able                           1,200 Troopers, 4 Guns

1^st North Carolina Veteran    10-7-4  Rifled Carbine               400         8,7,6 Stands

2^nd North Carolina  Veteran   10-7-4  Rifled Carbine              400         8,7,6 Stands

5^th North Carolina  Veteran    10-7-4  Rifled Carbine             400         8,7,6 Stands

Hart’s S.C. Battery Veteran 2 Sections 4 3’ Rodman Rifles

 

Johnson’s Militia Brigade    BG R.E. Johnson, Able             1,200 Troops, 2 Guns

16 Virginia     Trained 10-8-5   Rifled Musket                       400         8,7,6 Stands

19 Virginia     Trained 10-8-5   Rifled Musket                       400         8,7,6 Stands

6 Militia          Trained 10-8-5   Rifled Musket                       400         8,7,6 Stands

3 Virginia Battery  Veteran 2 Sections 4 12pdr Napoleon’s

 

 General Hampton,

As you know the Shenandoah Valley is the breadbasket of the Confederacy more now than ever before. It is vital we defend as best we can. Last week General H.F Lee took his4th Division into Clarke County on a raid to capture supplies for the cause. He has been very successful; he is currently escorting a convoy of captured wagon through the lines to Winchester.

He is being pursued by both infantry and cavalry formations. I have placed a Gen. Johnson’s Infantry Brigade under your command to help cover their retreat and protect the valley. Gen Chambliss’ Brigade is escorting the wagon’s while Gen. Gordon’s has been sent forward to help cover the retreat.

Gen. Fitzhugh Lee’s Division is currently in and about Winchester. He tasked with protecting the Valley, Winchester and the captured supplies are a priority. Use the Infantry Brigade and your Division’s as you see fit. Lomax’s Brigade is at your Headquarters in Winchester and Gen. Wickham’s Brigade is off the table near Winchester. The fate of the nation is in your hands.

Yours,

R.E. Lee

Commanding, Army of Northern Virginia

 

Scenario Rules

No Road Movement Turn 1

Unit may not charge from off the table the turn they enter

 Point Costs

Each building destroyed or held at the end of the battle    5 pts

Each Wagon destroyed or captured.                                  10 pts

Bridge Captured                                                                 10pts

20% chance per stand to fire a building

 Contested Artillery Fire     1-5 Hits enemy, 6-10 Hits friendly

 

The battle developed as it did when we play tested.  The Confederates achieved some early success keeping the wagons just out of reach of the Union pursuers.

On the move

 The Confederate cavalry were divided into 1 division returning from the raid with another posted in the valley with the command in Winchester.

Deploy to meet the invaders

 The Union pursued the wagons as well as sent Custer South in an attempt to flank and cut off the rebels before they could escape

Long lines of cavalry

 Along the way the Cavalry from both sides as well as the rebel militia clashed at numerous points.

 While the Union managed to destroy a few wagons it appeared the Confederates would be successful in their objective early on as the Union was not able to achieve a decisive breakthrough

Here come the Blue Bellies

 The Rebel infantry took up a very strong defense in the center allowing the wagons to pass and attempted to hold off the pursuit.

Go Around if you cannot go through

Holding strong

 Many charges were made and checked as the union invaders tried again and again to break through to destroy the supplies.

Contested ground

Formed for the charge

Wagons hotly contested

Rear guard action

As time was about to expire the Union made a final valiant attempt to breakthrough the rebel lines and get to the wagons.  This time they were able to maneuver a lone regiment ahead of the wagon train and successfully cut off the escape route securing a narrow victory.

It resulted in a great day of gaming in which both sides seemed to enjoy themselves in what proved to be a nail biter right to the end.

As always Mark pulled off another epic event and exposed several new players to wonders of American Civil War gaming using Regimental Fire and Fury.

Not wanting to rest on their laurels the group has already been working for several months to prepare for a refight of Austerlitz later this year in 15mm.  In fact, much of the terrain bards used in this battle were newly constructed for the upcoming campaign and repurposed to represent the Shenandoah.

GAMEHOLECON 2018

This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend GAMEHOLECON in Madison, WI.  Unlike many gaming conventions I attend, this one I was just playing and not hosting any events.

GAMEHOLECON is a fairly large convention that draws a national and even international crowd.  The focus is RPG such as D&D, board games and some miniature gaming.  Many gaming notables make an appearance here such as game designers and even some gaming "celebrities" who draw a crowd.

This was only my second time attending, but since I have ventured back into D&D along with my miniature gaming there was enough on the event listing to keep me busy.  The convention took up most of the Alliant Energy Center and ran Thursday thru Sunday.

Throughout the weekend I attended a couple of D&D seminars, played in multiple sessions of D&D adventure league, the D&D Open, Gettysburg historical game, and finished with Star Wars Legion Tournament on Sunday.

Rare picture of me actually getting my nerd on

Unfortunately I failed to get many pictures of the D&D sessions, but they were epic.  Imagine a room filled with close to 400 people simultaneously playing various D&D sessions.

Gettysburg was the only historical miniatures game I played.  It was scheduled from 10AM-2PM Saturday.  You will see the pictures look eerily similar to my set up.  That is because the game master has the exact same maps and terrain I use, just with different scale minis and his own home brew rules.  He had also added 3D building to his setup which look very impressive.

Looks very familiar



Gettysburg map

I signed up for this event as I have run this game several times using Fire and Fury and I wanted to see someone else's take. 

Town with 3D buildings

There were only two players for our session, so I took command of the Confederates and had a very enjoyable time learning a new system of rules.  Not to spoil the ending, but the Rebels won.


Confederate Arty on Herr ridge

Rebels driving off Buford's Cavalry

Infantry mixing it up at the stone wall

Confederates massing to take the seminary

The main difference was playing with 6mm figures (they are small even compared to mine) and the rule system.  It is a unique system of rules based on morale that goes up and down as the battle rages to show the impact of fighting on the troops involved.  Originally designed for Napoleonic battles it seems to apply well to this period.  I hope they are published for sale at some point.

The remainder of Saturday was the D&D Open scheduled from 2PM until Midnight,  During the Open there were over 350 people all playing the same adventure essentially competing to solve the mystery in the shortest time and score the most points.  fortunately it finished around 11PM.  Our team did not win, but we did accomplish most of the adventure goals and had a great time with some very chaotic moments and hilarity.

Sunday AM I came back for the Star Wars Legion tournament organized by my friend Ben.  There were only six signed up so we decided to go with a relaxed style of play as opposed to a rigid time limit.  I was glad for this as it had been awhile since I had played and was a bit rusty on the mechanics.

Imperial army ready to deploy

First table with amazing terrain



Snow troopers in position



Rebel scum

Die traitor!



Amazing save against an equally amazing attack



Second game fought in the desert

Troopers getting slaughtered by terrorist leader Luke Skywalker

Overall I won and lost and was able to play against Rebels with my Imperial list, so that was a win in itself.  Most importantly we all had a good time.  Congrats to Chris who finished undefeated.

In addition to all the gaming the convention also featured a large vendor hall which hosted an assortment of gaming supplies.  I practiced some restraint, but did score the nice dice box pictured above which will work well with all my gaming hobbies.

Overall GAMEHOLECON was a success.  Even better because my lovely bride decided to get a hotel so I did not have to travel back and forth, so I was able to spend some time with her as well.

Already thinking about the possibilities for next year.

Gettysburg -July 1st 2018 (155th Anniversary)

As planned my father and two sons Justin and Jared along with a friend Austyn refought the first day of the battle of Gettysburg on the actual 155th anniversary of the battle.

We used my 10mm armies on the custom map made by Cigar Box augmented with hills and trees which made for a great battle and epic diorama as the battle progressed.

The Union commanded by Justin and dad and later joined by Austyn fought to stave off the Confederate juggernaut commanded by Jared and I.  We used the 2nd edition Brigade Fire and Fury rules along with the scenario from the book.

 

Army of the Potomac

Army of Northern Virginia

 

 

The Battlefield viewed from the West

Archer's Brigade on the move



Iron Brigade in a precarious position after charging through Herbst woods

Union Artillery posted near the Lutheran Seminary

Fight for McPherson's Ridge

Cutler's Brigade stands fast

Gamble's cavalry Brigade defending the flank

Iron Brigade moves to support Cutler after sweeping the woods

Charge the cavalry

Counterbattery fire

Union reinforcements rush to the sound of the guns

Cavalry check a charge a temporarily hold

Support comes up and Pender drives off Bufford

Doubleday in retreat hotly pursued by fresh Rebels

Iron Brigade caught in the open

Meredith skillfully maneuvers his brigade to form a line  

Union 1st Corps hotly engaged by two divisions

Union attempts to hold the valley

Confederates quickly swarm in to attack

Battered survivors of Wadsworth's division hold on

Howard's XI Corps clings to the stone wall

Rhodes is now on the field pushing the XI Corps

Confederates quickly move past the Union defenders on the left

AP Hill presses on toward the objective Seminary ridge

Howard hold tough  stalling Ewells' advance

Hill will not be stopped despite heavy losses the Rebels drive on

All but one Union Battery is silenced and the Confederates push forward

Last of the 1st Corps survivors take up position  

Howard's Artillery pours it on to hold of Rhodes

XI Corps finally starts to fall back

Union 1st Corps and Cavalry  is wrecked and XI Corps casualties are mounting 

Hill's command just hit heavy casualties Ewell is still in good shape

In the scenario it was 2PM (Turn 9) and all the Union reinforcements were on the field.  The Confederates still had most of Early's division still due to arrive.  Despite finally pushing Hill into heavy casualties (most of Heth's division) Justin and Austyn realized the situation was desperate and most likely beyond winning.

Overall the scenario played out fairly historically with a few tactical differences.  The Union generals knew up front the were outnumbered and needed to fight a strategic withdraw. 

Best laid plans rarely survive first contact though.  In the heat of the moment they could not resist the temptation to go on the offensive early which resulted in leaving three Union brigades exposed as the bulk of Pender's division arrived on the field looking for a fight. 

All in all a great day of gaming and excellent way to remember the sacrifices made by both blue and gray 155 years ago that set the stage for the culmination of the battle of Gettysburg July 2nd and 3rd 1863.

Always look forward to getting this scenario on the table again.

Hope you enjoyed