First became interested in this battle when I was a kid. There was an account of the heroic actions of a group of VMI Cadets in a book called Boys in Battle.

During the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864, Robert E Lee authorized the local commander to order out the Virginia Military Institute corps of cadets in his support. Major General Breckinridge used 274 cadets to assist in stopping the Union advance down the valley. New Market village strattled the Valley Pike near the only road over Massanutten Mountain.

The Confederate forces caught the Union forces, commanded by MG F. Sigel spread out, so that they faced only a portion of the total force (this was in part due to heavy rain and in part to poor planning). The Confederate victory here temporarily halted the Union advance down the vallcy and protected the precious food crop for the cause.

The OB is arranged for Fire and Fury but hopef'ully there is enough information to allows for easy translation to other rule sets. I found this to be a great learning scenario for a new rule set In fact, I first used it when playing Stars and Bars. If one wants a larger game, shift the scale to 1/50 and play it at more of a regimental level. Battle starts at 11:00 am. Historically, the battle was over at 7:00 pm when Sigel had the bridge burned behind him to prevent Confederate pursuit. One interesting footnote: from one source on the battle indicated that Sigel spoke German when he issued his orders; this could make for interesting delay of orders.

Scale= 1/150

Union

Commander - MG Franz Sigel 1 Leader Stand

1st Division

BG Sullivan 1 Div Leader Stand

1st Brigade 2,550 (1,050 engaged) 10/8/6 (17/14/10)
2nd Brigade 2,695 18/14/9

1st Cavalry Division

MG Stahel

1st Brigade 1,400 (500 engaged) 3/-/2 (9/8/5)
2nd Brigade 1,635 (1,200 engaged) 8/6/4 (111916)

Artillery

(half was not engaged, double if needed)

Napoleons 1 Stand
Parrots 3 inch 3 Stand

Rebel

Commander - MG John Breckinridge (former United States Vice President) 1 Leader Stand

Infantry Division

MG Breckinridge No additional stand

1st Brigade 1,584 10/7/4
2nd Brigade 1,557 10/8/5
Attached Cmds 979 (479 engaged) 3/-/2 (6/5/4)
VMI Cadets 229 (226 engaged) E 2/-/
(VMI battery included below)

Cavalry Division

BG Imboden 1 Div Leader Stand

Valley District 735 (0 engaged) 0 (5/4/3)


Artillery

Howitzer 1 Stand
Napoleon 1 Stand
Parrot 3-inch 1 Stand

.	UNION			CONFEDERATE
Total Stands	1/150	1/150 all	1/50	1/150	1/150all	1/50
Army/Corps Cmd	1	1	1	1	1	1
Div. Leaders	2	2	2	1	1	1
Inf Bgde Cmd Stands	2	2	2	4	4	4
Inf	26	33	83	21	24	73
Cav Cmd Stands	2	2	2	0	1	0
Cavalry	9	18	31	0	5	0
Artillery	4	4	11	3	3	10

Related Articles

The Battle of Perryville (Scenario)
The Battle of Franklin (Scenario)


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© Copyright 1997 Hal Thinglum

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