For all you armchair generals who always know what someone historically should have done in any given battle, you should try Greg Novak's system sheds a whole new light on the phase 'the fog of war," For those who have not read Greg's article on the WILDERNESS PROJECT (MWAN), you should as it makes for an interesting game. When you have to depend on written messages for information (and you don't always get them!) you would be surprised now it affects your decision making. As for my part in the game, I was Gen, Buckner, Commander, II Corps, CSA. I had under me sixteen players, three Divisional Commanders and fourteen Brigadiers; one was a reserve officer and another was my Chief of Staff. I had four Divisions (Lidell, Preston, Stewart and Anderson) due to the lack of players (About 34 people played the game, not counting the judges). Anderson's Division was held in reserve. The plan of attack called for Lidell to advance up Orange Court House Turnpike, with one me Brigade advancing up Culpepper Mine Road (Semm's Bgde), Preston was to advance on Lidell's right flank; Stewart was to advance up Orange Plank Road to Parker's Store, leave one brigade there, then advance an Chewing, Lidell engaged the Federal forces just past the cross road of the Turnpike (Editor's Note: Please refer to maps contained in MWAN regarding the Wilderness Project game -- this was about two issues ago) and Culpepper. At first, he was worried, he thought he had engaged a superior force. By the time I arrived, the Federals were being pushed back and taking heavy losses. I then received a message from Preston, he had dispatched a brigade to investigate chopping noises from Webb. When the brigade arrived at Webb, he was fired on by Federal troops who fled following the firing, I sent Preston and two of his Brigades with an order to clear Webb and proceed to Miss Hagerson's farm. We were two hours into the game at this point and I had no idea where Stewart was, I had began to suspect there were Federals between Lidell and Stewart, and finding them at Webb and a captured message confirmed this. I then sent my Chief of Staff with a Brigade from Anderson's Division to locate Stewart who I hoped was at Chewing, At this time , I sent Preston's last Brigade to support Semmes on Culpepper Mine Road; he had run into two Brigades of Federals and requested assistance. I also released two brigades from Anderson's Division to support Lidell leaving me brigade in reserve. When I received a message from my Chief of Staff that he located Stewart at Chewing, I decided to inspect the forward areas. Lidell was advancing slowly grinding up the Federals and was probably half a mile from Germania Plank Road. He had chewed up three Federal Brigades at this point and was working on two more. He had taken maybe ten percent losses at this point while inflicting fifty to sixty percent casualties on the Federals. Semmes was in good shape; he had built hasty works and was holding the Federals back while inflicting light casualties (bad die rolls caused this). With Gracie from Preston's Division coming to support him, he would be able to attack. Preston was advancing on Hagerson's farm, the Brigade in the center and the other two flanking right and left. After taking Miss Hagerson's farm, he was to advance towards the cross roads at Germania Plank Road and Orange Court House Turnpike. Stuart's situation was the most interesting. He had advanced on Chewing and started to build breastworks with two brigades; two brigades had been left at Parkels store also building breastworks. Stewart then found himself facing three to four Federal Brigades and he retreated across a large clearing that was behind him. At this point, the two brigades plus Wilcox's Brigade (my Chief of Staff) showed up followed by a Federal brigade behind them. Because of visibility rules they could not see them (both sides played it the same way). It was at this point that I appeared on the situation to add to the confusion. Having accessed the situation I felt he could handle it without any problems and I returned to my HQ. While heading back, I started to form a plan to break the Union center. I requested a Brigade each from Lidell and Stewart to assist Preston on an attack at Miss Hagerson's farm, This would have opened up the Union center and I would have five Brigades to support and exploit it. Unfortunately, Lidell and Stewart felt they could not give up the brigades needed and I called off Preston's attack. I had seen a Federal Brigade heading toward's Miss Hagerson's Farm and felt his inexperience would get him into trouble and cause excessive casualties. Before I could change their minds, I was captured by the Federals while on my way to see Semmes. My capture come shortly before the game ended and I felt we had hurt the Federals pretty bad. Greg told me later they considered the affair a draw. I would like to thank the guys who showed up and made this game possible. The judges did a lot of work and took a lot of grief from some of the players. I would like to remind people that if it wasn't for the people who are willing to judge events, we would not be playing games like this one or have conventions. Back to MWAN # 24 Table of Contents Back to MWAN List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1986 Hal Thinglum This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com