Today, we set out to do an ACW skirmish game using my 'State of War' rules
However, it rapidly turned into a sort of 'Mini Campaign' - until we got a result!
I started off with a reduced company of 65 Pennsylvanians, I was tasked with dislodging an even smaller (though higher quality) Confederate company of the famous 'Louisiana Tigers'.
Sounded simple enough?!
The 'Tigers' set up in a small wood and some farmhouses.
My Feds 1st platoon started out of sight behind more woods.
The second platoon started to their right, also in cover.
2nd platoon advanced towards a small hill overlooking the Confederate right.
Hearing the Union advance, the Tigers moved to line the farm fences.
The US first platoon had formed into 3 lines, planning to assault the farm with successive lines shooting in quick succession.
Opposite the Confederate wood, 2nd platoon began to line a hillock and wood edge, which would give them a 3:1 advantage in shooters.
The Tiger's reserve section moved to try to reinforce the front line.
The Tigers in the wood moved left to make room for them.
Too late! - The Federals were ready to open up.
Their Lieutenant scanned the wood edge with his telescope.
On the other side, the Union troops were also in position.
The Union Captain prepared to drum the 'Attack'.
Seeing their position was likely to be overrun in short order, the Tigers fell back and abandoned the settlement, looking for a better defensive line.
The first table we randomised was pretty...
..But would be a nightmare to defend against a larger force!
The next table appealed to the Louisianans, and they set up on a wooded hill.
..and in a wood to their right.
The Federal arrival was behind a large wood, facing the Rebel positions.
Seeing the risk of my men engaging the half company on the wooded hill, the Tigers in the wood broke cover and ran to converge their forces.
The men on the wooded hill moved forward to cover their move.
The Federals, unhurried, moved towards their preferred firing positions.
...Though one Union section spotted the Tigers breaking cover, and opened fire at long range.
Amazingly, four of the Rebs fell,-- great shooting, boys!
The Union's advance continued.
The last section waited to reload before moving on.
Leaving their dead, the Tigers continued their move.
The new arrivals were shepherded into the new firing line.
The Union had no reason now to hurry, so sedately set up just inside the wood edge.
The Tigers were ready, waiting for their enemy to appear.
The Federal line set up in the wood...
...but still waited for their errant section.
Moving at the run, these were soon in position behind a large rock.
Next turn, the federal line stepped forward and fired, as one.
No reserve line, this was an all or nothing attack.
The waiting Rebels returned fire almost simultaneously with them.
Almost half the Tigers fell to an amazingly accurate volley from the Pennsylvanians (Incredible dice rolling here!)
In response, the Union only suffered about 10 dead and wounded.
These were mostly in the Union centre.
As the Federal line rapidly reloaded for another volley while the smoke cleared, the surviving Tigers retreated, taking their wounded with them.
Being brave men, they walked off, no-one ran.
They will be back!
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