Dispatches from the Field (2)

As promised, here is a full battle report from Cesar. This is actually been queued up for about 2 weeks.

Report from Cesar Paz
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I decided to test the current version of McDuff playing de simple scenario of BWMS. The battle was played using Sencer Smith 30 mm ACW figures over an 4´x 6´ tabletop and lasted 8 turns.

Deployment was as in the book and armies were as follow:

Federals:

General

1^st. Infantry Rgt. (marching-kepi) 2 officers and 20 soldiers

2^nd. Infantry Rgt. (running-kepi) 2 officers and 20 soldiers

Cavalry Rgt. 8 troopers.(clad in some strange uniforms)

Gun w/1 officer and 3 gunners.

Confederate

General

1^st. Infantry Rgt. (marching-kepi) 2 officers and 20 soldiers

2^nd. Infantry Rgt. (marching-slouch hat) 2 officers and 20 soldiers

Cavalry Rgt. 8 troopers

Gun w/ 1 officer and 3 gunners.

In the 1st.Turn both armies advance in all the line sending their Cavalry to threat their respective lefts flanks. Conferate infantry and gun slightly turning to meet the flank menace. (picture 007)

In 2nd.Turn Confederate General win the initiative, and sensing an opportunity, joined his Cavalry and with a Follow Me! Order charged the 1st.Federal Inf. in the flank. The Infantry pass their Order Check and turned to meet the attack, and the Federal General joined his Cavalry and moved round his rear towards (and nearly reaching) the critical point. (picture 014)

Confederate Cavalry was defeated loosing three troopers and retreat, to be charged in the rear on next turn by Federal Cavalry. Unable to turn, it was destroyed with their General, on 4rd.Turn.

Meanwhile in the centre, the absence of his General and bad luck, freezed the 2nd.Confederate in the exposed and inconvenient position they have reached at 2ndTurn. From therein on, they fail all their Order Checks (5), leaving the 1st.Confederate and gun to fight an unequal battle.

On 3rd Turn 1st.Confederate manage to reach the cover of the stone wall, but a combined front and flank charge of both Federal infantry Rgts. forced them to retreat towards their base line, where after failing a pair of Rally tests, the Federal General and Cavalry destroyed them (another irresistible rear charge). (pictures 023, 028, 029 y 034)

On 6th Turn the Confederate gun manage to repulse a charge of a depleted 2nd. Federal Infantry shattering and destroying them despite the efforts of the Federal General (the +1 save them once of destruction) but was in time destroyed by the combined fire of 1st.Federal Infantry and gun. (pictures 036, 037)

After destroying the 1st.Confederate Infantry, Federal Cavalry charge the rear (again) of the static 2nd.Confederate, who of course, fail to turn and were defeated, pursued and finally destroyed at the end of 8th.Turn.(pictures 041, 042 y 048)

A total victory for the Federals.

I have enjoyed the game a lot. I really liked this set of rules, found it especially suitable for solo-playing and hope to play again with them. Thanks Ross!

Some doubts that aroused during the game:

On 5^th turn 2nd Federal infantry charged the rear of 1st.Confederate infantry. Unable to turn, the Confederate could not fire at them. But the Federals have crossed the front of Confederate gun who fired at them. They fail the consequent test, so retired one inch and return fire. In this situation: the Federals should have fired at the infantry they have infront or turn and shoot at the gun?

(In the game, I have let them shoot at the infantry) (picture 031)

(Ross answer: The rules are a little vague on this but I would have done the same.)

On turn 6^th the same 2^nd.Federal infantry was shattered, reduced to less than half strengh and compeled to retire by the confederate gun. Next turn their General joined them and save them from destruction, but they have to retire again. On turn 7^th they fail the Rally test and became routed. Should I have also removed the attached General? (In the game I haven´t remove him because I considered he has not when they where shooted)

(Ross answer: Strictly speaking  if he is attached when they rout he will be swept away or perhaps be hit by a "stray" bullet but with only 1 general, surely a generous opponent would offer to let him stay.)

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Gracias Cesar!