Monday, April 26, 2021

Battle's End

 I'm not quite back to my leisurely life but a man can't work all the time. An apology in advance for the poor picture quality today.

At the crossroads, the Reb's have overrun the battery and taken the high ground that dominates the cross roads. One more push and they might be able to breakthrough the thin Yankee line and cut the line of advance of the main Federal army or even crumple it  before it can deploy.


A balloon's eye view as the battle resumed.  It was hard to coordinate an attack in such wooded ground and the Yankees weren't showing any signs of giving up


With a Rebel yell, the line came forward. The flanks were stalled by heavy Yankee fire but the centre blew a hole in the Federal line and pursued into that troublesome Federal battery.
(Please note the approach of the new Hat Confederate regiment in the foreground  while in the distance, barely visible behind a tree, the first charge of the Black Hats has retaken the battery on the hill.)


The Confederates soon recaptured the crossroads and prepared for one last push.

On the Federal right, some bitter fighting saw the Confederates push forward and then stall while in the center, a Yankee counter attack inflicted heavy casualties and drove the Rebs back to their starting line. 
Already the dusk was gathering and with it came the head of the main body of the Federal army. Both armies had suffered heavy losses and the Rebs had forced the Yanks back, but they hadn't broken them. It was time to fallback.

I think we'll see the ACW boys on the table more often this year but I've put my name forward to run a virtual game for a Virtual Huzzah con and I have to spend time getting prepared. A game with larger figures and fewer trees for sure. I have a month to prepare but only a few days to figure out what I'm going to run!

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Heads up: I'll be putting a call out for human guinea pigs in 2-3 weeks time so I can test my upgraded equipment and see what I need to learn about GMing a game for 4 remote players as opposed to a one on one game. 

20 comments:

  1. Fantastic stuff in 1/72 scale. Love the overall look of the terrain and units.Look forward to more insight on the current rules u worked on. May I ask what size bases you are using for your infantry, cavalry, artillery and limbers?

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    1. Thanks, my first games were played with Airfix, now, after trying everything from 6mm to 54mm, I have to admit it is just about the perfect scale for tabletop battles, not that I'm going to give up the bigger figures anytime soon.

      The bases were carefully chosen when I received a gift of a collection of old club figures, which is to say that the old figures supplied enough bases to save me from buying or cutting more!

      At the moment, by serendipity, a regiment of 3 infantry or 2 cavalry bases just fits in a 4" hex if they face a corner. The guns are a tick too wide to fit 2 in a hex so I'm going to either shave them or rebase them since there are too many and several need new crews etc or are on temporary bases anyway. The limbers have been looking for a job so most aren't based yet but I'm working on something to have them be more than decorative.

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  2. Good looking battle, Ross, and the photos look fine to me. I look forward to your remote gaming trial. I may even throw my hat into the ring when details are announced.

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    1. Thanks, the phots are ok till you hit full size at which point the details are fuzzy.
      You would be very welcome to the test game! Or the real one when it comes.

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  3. Pix look good to me--as does the game. I'm sure you'll be Huzzah! ready!

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  4. I really like the look of your game - a perfect ACW setup!

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  5. Great images and Battle report Ross! Thanks for sharing.
    For this game, did you use the rules posted on your rules page?

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    1. Thanks Cesar. A small action which your Zouaves missed out in. The rules were the first go at going back to a different approach closer to the old Hearts of Tin but on a grid.

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  6. Count me in a possible test subject.

    you have my email.

    Cheers

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    1. Thanks, You're on the list. Looking at one on either the 8/9 and one on the 15/16.
      One French Rev, one possibly Prince Valiant or ACW or...

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  7. Ross, I like the photos, particularly the first one. Remember ACW wargaming with friends in the early 1970s, and we used 20mm Airfix figures. I do think the period looks right in that scale, or it could be nostalgia.
    Michael

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    1. Both apply for me but 20's are now what 15's were for me 20 years ago.

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  8. Ross;
    Sorry I've been a bit distracted. 1800mm Moderns. Love the look of the table and the way the new HaT figures look in the collection. I'm taking some 1/72nd scale IMEX with me on my "adventure" and I'm hoping they (and their various paints and adhesives) won't suffer from the heat. I'm going to order a Cigar Box Mat, I think, once I'm on station and try an ACW campaign a la One Hour Wargames. I think your project has nudged me that way. It beats endless revisions of PowerPoint slides and spreadsheets no one cares about anyway.

    Eric

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    1. Sounds like a good idea to me. Have a safe "adventure"!

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  9. Let me know if you need an assist, Ross, happy to help out. Good looking game too - what make are the figs?

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    1. Thanks (See Atl Sim FB page)

      The majority of the figs are Airfix, most painted by various people inc me in the 70's and 80's.
      There are others by 4 8+ different manufactures painted over the last decade. 95% soft plastic. all 1/72nd-ish or 22mm.

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  10. What an intense game of American Civil War. Your photos presented it perfectly. Most 'atmospheric'.
    Regards, James

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