"Dawdling Damphoolishness," NCO, 13th NH (printed with John Hill's epxress written permission) Afternoon, May 7, 1864 Following a May 6 probe, Butler's Army of the James began a more serious advance on May 7. The first objective was Walthal Junction where General Bushrod Johnson, assisted by Major General D.H. Hill and Brigadier General Roger Pryor, awaited with elements of two brigades. The initial Union force, under General W.T.H. Brooks was composed of five brigades from five different divisions. After some hard fighting, the Federals managed to flank the Rebel line, but then General Brooks decideed to pull back and return to Bermuda Hundred. However, this scenario assumes that Brookds does not lose his nerve and is determined - at least initially - to drive the Rebels from the field. Early Morning, May 8, 1864 This version of the scenario assumes that the Federals delayed their advance by one day. If so, for the Rebs, add: To Hagood's Brigade: 11th SC, 16 figs, Vet, RM and the 7th SC Bn, 8 figs, Elite, RM To the Artillery: First Co/Washington Artillery, 2 sections, Elite, Napoleons Confederate Order of Battle Brigadier General Bushrod Johnson, in nominal command CSA Commanders: Only one figure for Johnson, treat as Level 1 leader. Hagood is Level 1 leader. Pryor is a Level 1 leader and aids any regiment he is with D.H. Hill is a Level 2 leader. If he attaches himself to a brigade, his presence negates the loss of any one element. B'Gn'l Johnson Hagood 21st SC - 16 figs Vet RM 25th SC - 16 figs Vet RM 27th SC - 16 figs Vet RM B'Gn'l B. Johnson 17th/23rd TN - 16 figs Vet RM 25th/44th TN - 16 figs Vet RM 16th TN - 12 figs Elite RM Johnson's Bde may break one of its merged Regts into two Bns of 8 figs each Hankins Battery 2 sec Vet Mixed Guns Provisional Battery 2 sec Grn Mixed Guns If batteries are together, treat as one 4 sec battery, with Vet crews and all Mixed Guns CSA Command Levels In general, if a CSA bde loses one element, it cannot attack. If it loses two elements it must withdraw. Union Order of Battle, Mixed Divisional Elements Brigadier General William T.H. Brooks, in command B'Gn'l Heckman 23rd MA - 16 figs Vet RM 25th MA - 16 figs Vet RM 27th MA - 16 figs Vet RM 9th NJ - 12 figs Vet RM L/4th US - 2 Sec Elite 12# Napoleons Colonel H. Plaisted 11th ME - 16 figs Vet RM 10th CT - 12 figs Vet RM 24th MA - 12 figs Vet RM 100th NY - 16 figs Vet RM B'Gn'l Burnham 8th CT - 12 figs Vet RM 10th NH - 12 figs Vet RM 13th NH - 12 figs Vet RM 118th NY - 16 figs Grn RM Colonel J. Drake 13th IN - 12 figs Vet RM 9th ME - 16 figs Vet RM 112th NY - 16 figs Grn RM 139th NY - 20 figs Grn RM E/4th US - 2 sec Elite 10# Parrot Col W. Barton 47th NY - 16 figs Vet RM 48th NY - 12 figs Vet RM 115th NY - 16 figs Grn RM 76th PA - 16 figs Vet RM Union Brigade Command Rules All Federal officers are Level 1 leaders. If any Bde loses 1 element it cannot advance. If any Bde loses 2 elements it must withdraw. Batteries are considered a bde asset. Overall Union Command Restrictions At the end of any turn that a Union Bde has been halted - per the Bde command rules - roll 6D. If a "1" is rolled, Brooks has lost his nerve and orders the entire command to retire - and the Confederates win. -Ed note: My thanks again to John Hill, author of Squad Leader (the largest selling wargame in history) and Johnny Reb III, for providing these fine scenarios for the last two issues of the Gauntlet U.S. Back to The Gauntlet No. 16 Table of Contents Back to The Gauntlet List of Issues Back to Master Magazine List © Copyright 1999 by Craig Martelle Publications This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com