In our study of military history one thing stands out. There are times when things just don't goat all well. On the table however we like rathe to have a nice easy (or at least even) shot at winning, equal forces, dicing for terrain etc. All well and good for the competitive minded, bu tfor the recreational (or re-creational) gamer the following scenario is offered with the forces of the Union starting out in a bad situation. How bad and how well they fight their way out is where the interest lies. Union OB and Orders The northern force consists of a smallish corps of 3 divisions and an attached cavalry brigade. They are in line of battle along a series of hills just north of Zion Church Crossroads. A demoralized Confederate corps is believed to be somewhere south of the church in the various woods dotting the countryside. Quality of both troops and leaders will be rolled for as per the rules except that the Union CinC is a Poltroon and the Cavalry Brigade is Green. Union CinC: Charles A. Windbraker (Poltroon) Cavalry Brigade (Green) 6 stands Artillery Reserve 3 Battalions 2 Rifled, 1 Smoothbore 1st Division 2 Brigades, 6 stands ea., 1 Smthbr. Arty. Btn. 2nd Division 2 Brigades, 6 stands ea., 1 Rifled Arty. Btn. 3rd Division 3 Brigades, 6 stands ea., 1 Rifled Arty. Btn. Union orders are to move forward at first light and press the enemy southward. Confederate OB and Orders Alas for the Yankees things are not always what they seem. The Rebels are not demoralized, nor are they sulking in the southern woods. During the night their dashing Commander O.T. Washington has led them on a daring night march and they are now massing on the Union right flank, guarded only by a few dismounted troopers of typically poor blue horsemen. Which of the 3 positions on the map the Rebs actually deploy in is decided by a D1 0 roll: 0-3 position one; 4-6 position two; and 7-9 position three. Their quality too is rolled for as per the rules except that O.T. Washington is Exceptional and the Cavalry Brigade is Elite. Confederate CinC: O.T. Washington (Exceptional) Cavalry Brigade (Elite) 8 stands, 1 Rifled Hrs. Arty. Btn. 1st Division 4 Brigades, all 8 stands, 2 Arty. Btns, 1 Rifled, 1 Smoothbore 2nd Division 4 Brigades, two of 8 and two of 6 stands ea., 2 Smthbr. Arty. Btns. Confederate orders are to attack at first light. Notes The scenario director should not place any Confederate units until their first card turns up. They then should all be placed amid the moans of the Yankee commanders. Map Back to Table of Contents -- Courier #56 To Courier List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1991 by The Courier Publishing Company. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com