28MM ACW: STORMING FORT WRIGHT ON THE NORTHUMBERLAND RIVER

This was the second scenario we have played in my garage from the Glory Hallelujah Black Powder American Civil War Scenario book.  Dave O’Brien, Colin Jack, Tim Watson, Donald Adamson and myself played the game.  Missing in action from our first ACW game was Dave Paterson who was moving furniture and Raymond Neal who is busy touring as a rock star in the USA but fortunately Ray left his Confederate troops for us to use.

Ironclad in my Union squadron

Fort Wright with it's heavy guns which stopped the Union squadron

  
I set up the game altering the initial troop deployment from the scenario however the forces and troop ratings were as given in the scenario. I supplied the US navy as well as some of the Confederate fort garrison and the fortress guns and their crews. Ray and Donald supplied the Confederate troops plus Donald supplied a five battalion brigade of Union troops while Dave O’Brien supplied the other four Union brigades as well as all the Union artillery. My wife Elena supplied us all with a wonderful meal before hostilities started.
 

Dempsey's Brigade defending the right flank ridge

One of the Union brigades advancing on the fort

Although the game seems massively set in favour of the Union side with overwhelming troop numbers plus naval support they had two really poor Brigadiers.  In addition half the Union army were armed with smooth bore muskets and the whole force was skittish with a low stamina of two.  Finally a complete brigade had 'seen the elephant' so were next to useless in an attack on the fort.

The two Union central brigades advancing against the fort

Despite the best efforts of Colin and Dave as the Union army commanders only one of their brigades actually managed to storm the fort but were unsuccessful.  Another brigade managed to reach the fort in the last move but ran out of time to launch an assault. Despite all their difficulties the Union players enjoyed the game and the surprised Confederates enjoyed the result of a Confederate victory.  This game finally gave me a chance to get my gunboats and heavy guns with naval crew onto a table and for Dave to get his ACW fort out of the box.  I need to develop some rules for ship to ship actions with these large models for future games.

LOGW: INDIAN MUTINY WEEKEND

I was away at the weekend at Kirriemuir in Angus for an Indian Mutiny event.  Over the two days 12 gamers attended from the LOGW.  The figures were supplied by various members of the group and Peter Nicholson supplied the vast bulk of the buildings.

TIGER HUNTING SCENARIO UNDERWAY

VIEW FROM THE AFGHAN HILL FORT

On the Saturday there was a choice of 5 tables with differing 2 player scenarios.  Each of the players played 4 games on a different table.  The scenarios were developed by Angus Konstam and the rules used were modified by me from Muskets and Tomahawks.

On the Sunday we played a single huge game – set on two impressive 18 foot long tables.  On one table was the city of Kirriepore which was divided between British, Mutineer and undecided factions.  The key building in the city was the very impressive British Residency.  The rules we used for the big game were an adapted version of Kevin Calder’ quick play ACW rules.  Despite gallant attempts by Colin Jack’s mutineers the Residency was still in British hands at the end of the game.  My own mutineer force was largely destroyed by Chris Henry’s uncommitted Nabob who unexpectedly declared for the British.

THE RESIDENCY

THE GREAT GATE OF KIRRIEPORE - KEVIN TAKING HIS PHOTOS IN BACKGROUND

RANI OF GARVALLI LEADS DESPERATE ATTCK ON THE GARDEN GATE

MUTINEERS ASSAULT THE BACK WALL OF THE RESIDENCY

HIGHLANDERS MANNING THE WALLS OF KIRRIEPORE

The other table carried the Great Trunk Road which was the route to be followed by the British relief force attempting to break through to Kirriepure.  The British failed to breakthrough the Mutineer blocking forces by the end of the game.

It was a very enjoyable weekend.  Hopefully back in June for an ACW game.

THE HILL FORT STILL HOLDING AGAINST THE RELIEF COLUMN

28MM ACW: IUKA 1862 SCENARIO BLACK POWDER

I had my first game of American Civil War since my long ago 15mm days at my house on Wednesday night using 28mm figures inspired by the Black Powder Glory Hallelujah supplement.

View along the peaceful table before armies deploy

Confederate centre/right

Myself, Dave O’Brien, Tim Watson and Colin Jack commanded the Union troops while Raymond Neal, Donald Adamson and Dave Paterson were the Confederates. We played the Iuka 1862 scenario which is set in the Western theatre of war in 1862. The scenario lists a victory condition for the Union side to control the crossroads by the end of the game but doesn't say anything for the Confederates so we assumed if they stop the other side getting the objective then they get the victory.

 

Donald and Mr Ray plot their counter-attack

Union centre driven back by the single large Rebel Unit

Most of the Union troops were supplied by Dave O’Brien while Donald supplied a small brigade for me to command. Donald and Ray supplied all the rebel troops and I supplied all the terrain.  The fences in the photos I used to demarcate the extensive light wood areas from the clear areas on the table.  Given the number of troops I made the table 8ft by 6ft.

Union right wing finally comes into action

Confederate right wing - still holding at games end

As we were using the 66% scale movement and ranges we extended the game from 7 to 10 turns. At the end the Confederates were still holding their crossroad so the game was declared a Confederate victory.  It was very enjoyable experience so in a month we will be doing a game which will finally see some of my 28mm ACW ships get onto the table. Many thanks to my wife Helena for feeding the 7 players before the game.  A 3 course dinner followed by a fun game – what could be better?

Tim Watson has posted a more detailed account of the action on his blog at
http://moth107.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/rebel-cleansing.html?spref=fb