Shenandoah

ACW Campaign Rules

Reviewed by Leo Cronin

This is the campaign that began my interest in military history and led to my introduction to historical miniatures gaming. So this booklet was like meeting an old friend.

Fifty-one pages of spiral bound 8 1/2 by 11 inches of easy reading type, seven maps, and a number of orders of battle cover very well the brief period (March 22 to June 10, 1862), that Jackson skillfully moved to destroy the Union chances of taking Richmond in 1862.

Well organized, the booklet gives a brief narrative of the overall campaign and then breaks down each battle to include a map, a narrative, and the orders of battle for that action, including actual and/or estimated strengths for each regiment involved. Covered are Kernstown, McDowell, Winchester, Harper's Ferry, Cross Keys, and Port Republic.

A little more clarification regarding the geography of the area could have been included to help those unfamiliar with the area and the campaign. For instance, reference to the Union forces chasing Jackson "up the Valley" might have you picture Jackson moving north, when in fact, the term "up the Valley" means going south.

And in the leading narrative, the author fails to point out that the Battle of McDowell and Bull Pasture Mountain are one and the same.

All that is very minor. This booklet is an excellent introduction to the Valley Campaign for beginners and a good reference piece for ACW veteran gamers.

Available from American Eagle Games, 390 Jonell Lane, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068 for $10, taxes and shipping included.

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