Friday 14 October 2011

Battle of Shelbyville (part 2)

Well this week saw the conclusion of our club game. The union line was bolstered by the eventual arrival of elements of VI corps. Much to the relief of the Union C-in-C as 2 divisions from V Corps were streaming back to the table edge as they were severely mauled by the Confederates of Rodes' and Johnson's divisions. On the Union right flank II Corps eventually got some energy and began to advance against Hood's division, forcing the confederates back to the last bridge. However just when they thought things were going their way, Hood counterattacked, destroying a couple of brigades from Crawford' division before his advance was checked.

On the left flank, the remains of V Corps and Buford's cavalry, slowly ground down Early's isolated division. In the center things began to get very bloody, with brigades on both sides being knocked out of the line due to heavy casualties. Eventually though the Confederate attack began to run out of steam and the union launch a final counter attack and managed to sneak a draw out of a winning position. So honours even until the next battle of our campaign.

Who'll make the first move?

VI Corps timely arrival

Stuarts troopers prepare to repel union infantry

Hood launches his counterattack

Bitter contest for the hill

Union infantry prepare to repel the confederate advance

The bitter struggle continues

Rodes' and Johnson's division advance

McLaws gets his troops into position

Saturday 8 October 2011

Battle of Shelbyville (part 1)

This week at the club saw the opening moves of our latest ACW game. It was an encounter battle that saw both sides becoming embroiled after their respective cavalry divisions clashed the night before. For the Confederates they has all 3 divisions from Ewell's Corps, but only Hood's and McLaws'  from Longstreet's Corps. For the Union they had II, III, V as well as 1 division from VI corps. This gave the union only a slight advantage in numbers, artillery was about even.

The map below illustrates the respective options open to each side from where they could advance onto the table.


For the Confederates, Longstreet entered at point (C) while Ewell came on at (B). For the union, Hancock arrived on turn 1 at point (3), Sickles came on at point (2) and Sykes was due to enter at point (1) on turn 2. He was late and didn't arrive until turn 4. The division from VI corps was due to arrive on turn 3 at point (2), however they only managed to arrive on turn 7 just as the club was finishing for the night.

The confederates under Ewell immediately went onto the offensive, pushing back Buford's cavalry and eventually slamming into the advance elements of V Corps, sweeping aside 2 of their brigades. On the Union right flank, Hancock advanced cautiously towards the confederates of Hood's division, allowing the rebs to conduct an easy fighting withdrawal as the units were need to support Mclaws' attack against III Corps. Next week will see the 2 battle lines really come to grips with each other.

Did manage to take a few photos of the opening moves.




Saturday 1 October 2011

For sale

With me concentrating on my 15mm armies, I've reluctantly decided to part with my 28mm units and listed them on E-Bay. I'll be able to use any funds they generate to purchase the necessary figures to finish Union I Corps. So some final pictures of said figures.

The first unit. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/28mm-Perry-ACW-Confederates-/230680421593?pt=UK_Toys_Wargames_RL&hash=item35b59fe4d9




Second unit http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/28mm-Perry-ACW-Confederates-/230680421955?pt=UK_Toys_Wargames_RL&hash=item35b59fe643