American Civil War Game In My Front Yard - Battle Of The Ironclad

 Yesterday Mat and I played another ACW game on the front lawn. As usual I was the Confederate commander. Forces" Union: 9 infantry regiments of 24 figures each, three cavalry units of 12 each and five cannons, one which was on the train. The cannons were four 12 pounders and one 18 pounder. Two supply wagons in reserve for the cannons that each had six rounds. Commander and staff officer. CSA: 8 infantry units, four cavalry units, four 12 pounders, two wagons and the ironclad with its two twenty four pounders. General and staff officer. We each had an 'A' class infantry and cavalry and an 'A' class cavalry. One of Mat's infantry was 'C' class Indians. Other troops were 'B' Class.

This time we played across the year instead of the ends so battle commenced faster. Mat was unlucky in his initial dice rolls for setting up, first move and choice of major asset. So I got to know his troop positions and concentrated my forces on the weaker part of his army. I also chose the ironclad, 'The Minotaur' over the train. Although Mat had said he wanted the train anyway. The latter could transport three regiments and an extra cannon.  I think Mat might have had second thoughts about relative advantages as the ironclad sported two 24 pounders in its turret. To top that, although it came in from reserve it arrived in turn two! It then went on to cause much destruction although one of its guns eventually malfunctioned and blew up! Damage to the boat included the rudder so it was stuck on one place.

The game did not go well for mat as I blasted his artillery to bits.

At a later stage in the battle the Union army on its right flank was largely wiped out. Its cannon held out for a while until overrun by cavalry. mat sent in two regiments and a cannon by train but it arrived too late to turn the tide there. The infantry remained in the carriages to shoot but their effectiveness was limited by having to fire from windows. However, they did have good cover saves. Eventually Quantrill's Raiders road in close and fired their pistols through the windows, adding to the CSA infantry fire.

                                          CSA forces have artillery of the central town. The Minotaur can be seen in the distance.

                 The last of the Federal Indians before being wiped out by cannon fire.

  The Federal Left flank pivoted to shoot at the Confederates. This is where they were most effective and Confederates were hard pressed.

                   CSA cavalry push past the train and aim for federal territory but the battle finished before they could claim territory.

Mats' forces straddled four quarters which meant he had twenty points for his two undisputed quarters and denied me two quarters because of the toeholds he had. Although he still had a unit on the train I had killed the train driver and stoker and had the train surrounded. Union casualties were higher than the CSA's with more units lost. The battle was declared for the CSA.

More photos will  be posted.