ACW Elk Tavern Battle

[Fox1]

The battle of elk tavern first battle of the long road south:

Confederate Commanders : M.Potts
Big Mark
Matty

Union Commanders: A Morrey
JeffH

The players used the excellent Iron Brigade rules set.
Outline:
Confederates had the task of advancing on the Union army and destroying it before it could bring up its large reserves and get them into a battle line to oppose the confederate army.
Rules Used:
Time of Battle: Battle ran from 7am until 5pm (action finished at 3pm when the in game confederate commander ordered a withdrawl)
Weather Chart: Weather was Cloudy to Fair for the action
Random Event Cards: Confederates held - Spy caught card (oops they shot some poor innocent soul as the Union did not have the spy in the ranks card)
Unions held - No Effect card (guess what, has no in game effect simply a bluff card)

Synopsis:
The game lasted some 2hrs 45mins total and the players played a full 9 game turns, the confederates had 8 regiments on the table and one gun battery, they had then to dice for other gun batteries to be brought into battle as the rain from the night before and a lack of horses had made this task very difficult. the Union started with three regiments acting as a rear guard and one gun battery they then had some eight more regiments and two more gun batteries in reserve however these had to travel down two roads to get to the battle line making it a logistics nightmare for the union cammander if his rear guard gave way. See deployment map below, Confederate units in white. Union Units in blue (union units on road simply show their path of advance and not initial deployment):

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r343/fox1_05/elk%20Tavern/Elk_Tavern_BattleMap.jpg


The battle itself went realy well and was played with an excellent spirit as these things always have been, however the confederate commander just couldnt seem to take advantage and get his boys into battle quick enough and this gave the Union army time to actually advance its rear guard and catch the confederate centre on equal terms three regiments to three, however the Union had the additional artillery support and the brave texas lads just couldnt take the lead storm.

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r343/fox1_05/elk%20Tavern/FederalBtty.jpg

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r343/fox1_05/elk%20Tavern/Battleshot.jpg

So it was that the confederate centre started to collapse whole sale and it was left to the brave units on the flanks to try and save the day.

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r343/fox1_05/elk%20Tavern/Confed_Attack.jpg

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r343/fox1_05/elk%20Tavern/Confed_FlankAttack.jpg


Alas it was all to no avail as the Union army brought up more and more regiments into the fray and the blue battle lines started to form the weight of troops and the passing time of day was enough for the confederate commander who ordered his brave lads to leave the field of battle.

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r343/fox1_05/elk%20Tavern/Elk_Tavern.jpg

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r343/fox1_05/elk%20Tavern/Federal_Attack.jpg


All in all an excellent game from my point of view and the lads seemd to have good fun.

Thank you to all the players that took part that day and once again helped to bring off a great game once again

[JeffH]

Maj Gen Sedgewick VI's Corps Commanding Officer was very pleased with the days events. I hard fought tactical victory which at one stage could have gone either way. The fighting spirit of the rebels once again proved what a tough nut to crack the south is going to be.

VI corps Vermont regiments on the Union right fought well but the weaker 3rd Regiment despite heavy loses and a partly rout of half the regiment retained the lead honor by occupying the Junctions main building and threatening both the rebels right flank (in support of the 20th Main) and being a pain to the rebel center even though it cost the boys half the regiment in loses.
The remaining Vermont regiments on the right of center and on far right after exchanging volleys with 3 rebels regiments were finally able to advance although it has to be said it was nothing like a rout as the rebel Army's leadership showed great nerve and courage which enabled them to withdraw in good order.
As a result the Union forces held the field but have to now consider the rebel forces that withdrew may well prove to be a considerable problem as the Union forces advance further into the south's homeland.
Watch this space

PS Well played the new young rebel commander who fought well along side the Old Rebel Dog.
PSS Many thanks to Alan and Andy the game table looks so good that its a pleasure to play in these games.

LONG LIVE THE UNION

[andy morrey]

I have to say as per usual a very enjoyable game, and as the senior reb in command I made one fundamental mistake, which may have cost us another victory, however we managed to withdraw in good order and the confederacy lives to fight another day. Well done to Alan and Jeff who put up a splendid fight and to my young brigade commander who mastered the rules fairly quickly and proved such a tenacious fighter.
Can't wait for the rematch as anther reb regiment has appeared and the losses have been made good, and guess what, 2 supply wagons w:p ith shoes have arrived.

[Charlie]

Thanks again for letting me borrow some of your troops andy and thanks alan and jeff for helping me out :) i am certenly saving up for a couple of boxsets