Today at the club we played our last large game for 2022, The Battle of Freeman’s Ford, 22 August 1862. Utilising the scenario from Guns of Gettysburg scenario book 4 (The Battles of Gen TJ Jackson) and playing Regimental Fire & Fury we managed to have a great afternoon of hard dice rolling, close combat, nail bitting charges and general all-round good banter between the players.
The Confederate Army under the overall command of Brig Gen JB Hood (Brian and Tim) mission was to ensure that no steady and supported Union regiments are on the Confederate side of the Rappahannock River on Turn 12 and get 4 plus wagons off the table.
The Union Army under the command of Brig Gen C Schurz (Josh and Terry) mission was to prevent the passage of more than 3 wagons and have at least on steady and supported regiment on the Confederate side of the river by Turn 12.
Our game played well with the first two Union infantry Brigades rapidly deploying troops across the river and over to main road, cutting wagon movement in the same instance. However, the Union cavalry regiment after finding the second ford was hit in the flank by a hidden Confederate Bde and was repulsed back across the river.
By the third turn all three Confederate Bde’s were on the field of battle and deployed to directly assault the two Union Bde’s. This battle for the main crossroad and tree line would see numerous charges from both sides. On one turn the Confederate would break through the Union centre only to be counter charged and driven back in the next turn. Then in the next turn the Union boys would charge driving the Confederates back. One Union regiment pushed back a whole Confederate Bde and almost defeated the Confederate left flank all by themselves.
In the end the stubborn Union defence managed to hold the aggressive Confederate Bde’s in check and captured two wagons. By the last two turns the Union Commander finally deployed his last Bde and soon caught the Confederate Army in the flank. With that final move the Union soundly won the day…though it was Pyrrhic victory.
Thanks to Josh and Terry for commanding the Union boys and Brian and Tim the Confederates. I would also like to thank John for the use of his fantastic ACW collection.
Merry Christmas to all.
Regards
Nathan
