Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Shiloh Revisited

Having fought Shiloh with Jonathan (see my report here), the Rejects wanted a return match with the sides swapped.  So, with me and Lee leading the Confederate attack, Steve and Ray assumed the Federal defence.

The opening dispositions.

Lee had command of the forward Confederate brigades (Pond and Cleburne), and quickly advanced to the creek.  In response the Union right moved to the creek to oppose any crossing and arranged their batteries on the ridge.  So far, the Rebels were able to get their reserves onto the table.

Cleburne had tried to cross the creek but was repelled by a stubborn Union defence.  Little else moved in what was a very quick turn shortened by the dice.  Pond was unable to enter the creek.

With the Feds doing an inspired job of defending the banks of the creek and inflicting rifle and artillery damage on Cleburne, it was slow going for the attackers.  However, Pond's brigade was now in the creek in force.  All Rebel reserves were now on the table and edging towards the creek and bridge.

Cleburne and Pond force the issue on the left by pushing the Union brigade of McDowell back.  However, it has taken time and now the Federal's can activate Raith's brigade.  They start their move to reinforce the ridge.  Meanwhile, The first of the Rebel reserves close in on the bridge.

Pond begins to turn the Union right flank by destroying by McDowell and his brigade.  However, Raith has now deployed.  The ridge is looking like a tough nut to crack.

Pond continued his sweep on the Union right.  However, the Union commanders were putting up a tenacious and dogged defence - making the Rebels fight hard for every inch of ground and successfully denying the bridge to the Confederate reserves.

Pond was keeping up the pressure on the left and the reserves were preparing to cross the creek.  Slowly but surely casualties were being chipped off the Union troops.  But despite their incredible and determined defence, Buckland's brigade was annihilated.

With Pond continuing to turn the Union flank and the Rebel artillery beginning to be a bit more effective, Hildebrand's brigade is wiped out and the commander killed.  With that the battle is won for the Confederates.

That was an incredibly hard fought and close game.  The Rebels won on the last guaranteed turn of the game.  The Union defence was inspired in their tactics, and aided somewhat by chance.  However, they needed to be good enough players to take advantage of that.

The Rebels got their reserves on and even managed to get a unit across the creek before the end.  Lee played a really good game with Pond and Cleburne.  He must be given full credit for the Rebel victory.

That this scenario was so close and that either side could have been victorious is a testament to the excellent planning, organisation and preparation by Jonathan.

A memorable evening.


9 comments:

  1. Richard, this was a classic, near-run thing. Great play by all and darn good fun for me as umpire. Excellent report.

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  2. Well done on the victory Richard and Lee. There doesn’t appear to have been a problem with looting.
    I’m surprised that Steve and Ray didn’t take a leaf out of Mark & Tony’s book and retreat behind the camps. Whilst it’s tough enough to beat the Union if they stand and fight in front of the river, it’s extremely difficult if they retreat behind the camps.
    Chris

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    Replies
    1. Not one of the Union units looted in this game? In the 1st game, we couldn't stop them looting. We did ask Jon several times, why they weren't testing to loot, he said it was because we were in range, so they didn't have too?
      Might need to remember this for the next ACW game?

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  3. Nice succinct report Richard, and congrats on a Reb victory.....I do agree with Chris though, the Union could have tried to make use of abandoned camps to slow/disrupt your advance!

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  4. Very nice work on the AAR. The small decisions are very important in the game.

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  5. I really enjoyed this game, so much that I didn't mind losing, we were so close, if only we'd realised that Hilderbrand's only had 1 figure left, we would have moved him as far away from your troops as possible. We still might not have won the game, but it would have gone on for a couple more turns, giving us that chance??
    Well played to you and Lee, and a big thanks to Jon.

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  6. Sounds like another splendid Shiloh game and I wondered about the looting compared to the previous game, a close run thing!
    Best Iain

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  7. A fun report, and it sounds like the fog of war also played a art in the Union loss. A nice win to the Confederates.

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  8. It was at times frustrating playing the Rebels. Its certainly a challenging scenario and I think Richard and I were convinced we were loosing... right up to the point when we didn't! 🤣
    Victory came all of a sudden and it was all the sweeter as a result.

    Excellent playing by all concerned and thanks must go again to Jonathan for running the game.

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