Regimental Fire and Fury Battle Report Part 1

At long last my summer vacation has arrived. Normally, I would be preparing for my miniatures class, but this year the camp I participated in did some downsizing; my class was cut despite always having good numbers. I looked into an alternative venue, but after considering the extra work that would be involved, I decided to take a break. However, I haven't lost my desire to put my figures to use, so I plan to have several solo games to quench my hankerings.

My first undertaking will see my new ACW cavalry stands put into action. I thought I had added a significant number that would allow me to recreate some really big cavalry engagements. I was wrong. Confederate regiments tended to be 400 or more men. That is ten stands in RFF accounting. Regardless, I still have a lot of guys to push around.

The Battle of Sherpherdsville is fictional. It is set in the northern Shenandoah Valley later in the war. Shepherdsville is an important agricultural center for the rebels and the Union high command has ordered a cavalry raid to try to eliminate it as a source of supply for the starving armies of the South. A division of three brigades plus supporting artillery has been assigned the task. Two large Confederate brigades, also with supporting artillery, are racing to counter this move.

Dice have been rolled to determine when the opposing units will arrive. As fate would have it, both sides will enter the table at the same time and then roll on successive turns to see if reinforcements arrive.  The rebs' entry point is closer to Shepherdsvulle, giving the men in gray an advantage. Hampton rolls well for his movement, and on turn one his lead regiment, the 2nd South Carolina advances to the northern end of the town. From this vantage point, Hampton immediately sees a long blue column of horsemen just a couple of hundred yards away. In the next two turns, the 2nd SC wins two successive charges, driving Whiting's Yankees back while buying time for the rest of Hampton's brigade to extend their line east and west of the town. The initial numbers certainly favor the men in gray.

Hampton's Confederates reach the town first and gain the advantage

Rebel reserves move up to support.

The 1st South Carolina wins two successive charges to put the Yankees back on their heels.

The view from behind Whiting's line

The view from west of the battlefield

As turn three ends, both sides are anticipating reinforcements, but are not sure of what they will be. The question at this point is whether or not Whiting's men can hold on long enough to their position south of the bridge to keep the road open for those reinforcements to arrive.