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.