Sharp Practice ACW

 I wanted to get my Louisian zouaves on the table for a game. The objective is a crossroads in rural Northern Virginia. 

The primary Confederate entry point is in the woods at the top left of the photo. The secondary is the barn in the top middle.

The primary Union entry point is in the foreground. The secondary one is in the woods at the top of the photo.

The crossroads that is the objective for both sides.

Turn One: The Union has the advantage as its entry points are closer to the objective. However, the chips definitely fell in favor of the Confederates. Their skirmishers entered first, and a force of four groups not only entered, but used four flags to get a second move. Unfortunately, the unit's big man sprained his ankle earlier in the turn (a random event) and the added penalty of moving through broken ground, the woods, and a poor roll meant no additional movement!

Confederate units enter.

A very poor roll trying to cash in four flags results in no additional movement.

Rebel skirmishers advance towards the crossroads.

Turn Two: Union columns rush forward. On their right flank, two groups of skirmishers also advance.  The Confederates continue to advance.

A force of two groups of Tigers move up the road.

A Union force of three groups brashly advances in a column.

Rebel skirmishers take up positions to contest the crossroads.

Berdan's elite unit readies for action.

Turn 3: The popping of musketry erupted this turn. The men in gray and butternut got the first shots off. Their target was the Union column of three groups which took several hits. On the Union side, Berdan's men tried to suppress the rebel skirmishers, but surprisingly inflicted no casualties at all. The other skirmish unit did some damage to the Confederate column across the field.

The first shots of the game.

The rebel columns advance still closer to the crossroads.

Berdan's men fire a pathetic volley that does no damage.

The other Union skirmisher group is more successful.

The rebel force of four groups shakes out into a line.

This Federal force redeploys into line, but not before being caught in column by the first fire of the rebel skirmishers. Significant damage was done.

To be continued...