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.