There is an old army saying "Fastest with the most-est" but having studied military history, planning, and keeping a reserve, can also help a General to win.
For those who have just dropped in, the Northern and Southern armies were racing to seize a crossing over the Bloostream River, while preventing the enemy to do the same. Each army had 4 brigades of infantry support by cavalry and artillery and both were hurrying along parallel roads heading south.
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| An observer in a balloon made this illustration of the armies deploying. |
Both armies grabbed their end of the 1st bridge while rushing cavalry and infantry to seize the bridge in the town to the South. General Porter, the Union commander, ordered his 2nd brigade to rush by the road to reinforce the town. The 3rd brigade was ordered to move by road to block the ford in the middle in case it was attacked and the last was to move to a central reserve position.
It was soon obvious that the Union cavalry had out ridden their Confederate enemies, crossed over the far bridge and seized the town. General Kinch, quickly ordered his 2nd brigade to cut directly across the fields to seize the ford, while the cavalry and the 3rd brigade were to try to beat the Yankees to the town or to throw them out if needed, His 4th brigade was ordered to follow the road and be ready to move towards the ford or the town as the situation dictated.
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| The 2nd Rebel brigade marched hard, crossed the ford, and prepared to hold it. |
The fighting was heavy along the line but the Yankee cavalry had reached the town first (by the turn of a card). In the center, the 2nd Reb brigade had to halt their march to the town to face the Rebs coming over the ford. As the 3rd brigade moved up, there was a traffic jam. Porter decided that the quickest answer was to have the 2nd Brigade withdraw and resume their march while the 3rd Brigade deployed to push back the Rebs crossing the ford.
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| A fierce firefight around the ford soon broke out and lasted much of the day. |
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| On the far end of the battle field, the fight was bloody on both sides even though much of the fighting was at long range. |
The 4th Southern brigade had been marched up the road as a reserve. As they approached the fighting, they were in a good position from which they could move speedily to any of the three crossings.
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| It appears that the balloon corespondent was still hanging around. |
At last the General made his decision. There was no room at the first bridge or the ford but the town was lightly held and it was wide open to a fresh brigade, The order was sent: "Storm the town and carry the Southern bridge."
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| The 4th Reb brigade veers off towards the south and marches . |
No time was lost.
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| The 4th Brigade stepped out, deployed with two regiments in the front and one in reserve, and then advanced on the town despite artillery fire and musket balls. The 2nd Brigade and cavalry, despite heavy losses, continued to press the rest of the Yankee Brigade and the dismounted cavalry. |
In moments, it was over.
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| All across the field, Union brigades, having taken heavy losses in the firefights, collapsed and ran. Only the reserve brigade was there to cover the retreat, |
Now, this was supposed to have been a 16thC game, but an urge came over me....so.....that MIGHT be the next game.
IMPORTANT NOTICE (maybe...for some...) Over the last decade I have had at least 4 gracious gifts of various plastic 20mm ACW figures, many painted in various styles, some still paint-less. I've been very appreciative of these donations and they have swelled my armies and broadened my options, BUT my table has shrunk from 6'x8' to 5'x6' to 4'x5'. As a consequence, I don't have much room for many more 1/72nd ACW figures. SO, if anyone wants SOME OR ALL of the reserves, drop me an email (rmacfa@gmail.com) with your address and I'll pass them on to be enlisted elsewhere.
