Camp VIP Begins

This coming Monday I'll be starting another year of my miniatures class.  I'll be offering three weeks this summer, and all three are filled.  We'll begin with a French and Indian War skirmish game using Sharp Practice.  I have dozens of units for the kids to choose from and I think it will be fun.  Week two will see us refight the Hornet's Nest at Shilo using Regimental Fire and Fury.  This will be my first time using them at the camp so I am interested to see how the kids react.  Finally, week three will be a huge Seven Years War recreation.  There will be five territories held by the different powers.  Alliances will be formed, treaties established and military objectives stated.  And then I am sure there will be deceit and betrayal; at least I am hoping so.  The French will be augmented with loads of Highlander mercenaries.  The Hanoverians will get some help from jolly old England.  The Austrians, Russians and Prussians will be powerful on their own. 

I'll be posting reports almost daily, so stay tuned.

This past Saturday, June 9, I had the last of four Saturday classes in my room at school.  13 young and eager wargamers showed up at 8:00 A.M. and battled fiercly until 12:00 that afternoon.  It was a fictional battle pitting three Union divisions agains two and a half Confederate.  The objective was a bridge in the middle of the table.  Despite being outnumbered, the Rebels went on the attack on their left and pinned down one Union division, destroying one of its brigades.  On their right, Hood's elite division did its best to tie down the other two Yankee divisions.  Law's brigade took the brunt of the punishment, but did delay Meade's and Doubleday's divisions enough for McLaws men to establish a defense.  In the end, neither side controlled the bridge, so it was a draw.  But the young generals all enjoyed the morning's encounter, it was therefore deemed a success.

The beginning of the game, Conferderates to the left.

The Rebel left, with the vital bridge to the right of the picture.

The Rebel left closer up.

This became the game's "Bloody Angle."

Just before the Confederate charge the last two turns of the game.

Most of the Union left's regiments got tangled up with Hood's men and never made it to the bridge.  Some important tactical lessons were learned.