I e-mailed The Gamers on Wednesday, 26 July to ask them one of their favorite questions, "When's my game gonna come?" Later that day, I was informed by Sara Essig that it had been sent on July 25 and that I should receive it soon. As I walked in the door after work on Friday, I found the box waiting for me. This Terrible Sound had arrived!

Quickly, I opened the box and inspected the contents. First, I glanced over the counters. They are very appealing visually, have great color schemes, are very "punchable", and contain lots of optional forces. Second, I checked out the scenarios. Dave has given the game a good mix as usual. Based on map size, counter density, and playing time, there are several scenarios that will meet the varying demands of players with small, medium, and large requirements. Some scenarios, such as Snodgrass Hill and the two- day battle, are expected. Others, like Crawfish Springs, are pleasant surprises. There's something for everyone here. Third, I glanced over the charts, tables, etc. They are updated and easy to use. Finally, I laid out the maps on the floor of the living room.

Fantastic! The graphics are great and the rectangular layout is unique and user friendly.

One can learn about the battlejustby looking at the map and visualizing the impact of the terrain on the action. In addition, my wife, Anne-Liesse, offered an unorthodox opinion on the maps. She said that they smelled good! Now at first that might seem like a strange comment, but she makes books out of homemade paper and art-quality card stock. She's no slouch when it comes to paper. That opinion pretty much confirms what I've believed all along. The Gamers makes quality games from the best resources.

Anyway, "opening the box" Friday led to "game playing" Saturday. To test drive TTS, I played Scenario 6.1 solitaire. "Opening Guns" begins at 2:00pm on September 18, 1863. Federal Colonel Minty's cavalry brigade and Colonel Wilder's mounted infantry brigade are in position to delay the Confederate Army of Tennessee's crossing of West Chickamauga Creek. Here's how this "classic holding action" unfolded:

2:00pm

Under orders to cross Chickamauga Creek at Alexander's Bridge, CS General Liddell advances his division with Walthall's brigade in front and Govan's brigade in support. The Rebel artillery deploys on the high ground several hundred yards behind the infantry. Walthall's men immediately come under fire as they approach the bridge.

Wilder's brigade, armed with Spencer rifles and protected by breastworks, is deployed on the creek's west bank and is ready for the CS attack. The 17th Indiana covers the bridge with the 98th Illinois immediately to its left. The 92nd Illinois and the 18th Indiana Light Artillery overlook the bridge from a rise about 300 yards behind the crossing. These well-placed units punish Walthall's advancing division.

To the north, Minty's cavalry brigade is deployed dismounted to the east of Reed's Bridge. Johnson's Confederate division deploys in the woods in front of Minty's men with orders to force a crossing of the creek. However, no firing takes place.

2:15 Pm>

McNair's brigade from Johnson's division attacks Minty's force as the rest of Johnson's troops move forward. At Alexander's Bridge, Walthall's Confederates are mauled by Wilder's Spencer- wielding men. In less than 30 minutes this brigade is wrecked with some regiments virtually destroyed. However, the Rebels do inflict enough damage on the 17th Indiana at the bridge to force the 92nd Illinois to move forward to take this unit's place. The 24th and 27th Mississippi also wound Colonel Wilder in the sharp firefight at the bridge.

2:30 Pm

Liddell orders Govan's men to change places with Walthall's battered brigade while the two Confederate batteries fire on the Union defenders. Liddell's men also unsuccessfully attempt to find a ford across the creek so they can bypass the bridge.

To the north, a patrol from Johnson's division discovers undefended Reed's Ford. Acting on initiative, Johnson orders McNair to fix the enemy in place at the bridge while the rest of the division moves to cross the creek at the ford. Johnson's lead unit, the 1st Tennessee Battalion from Gregg's brigade, reaches the eastern side of the ford and prepares to cross.

A large dust cloud billowing to the southeast of his brigade alerts Minty to the fact that he is being flanked. The cold feeling in his gut intensifies after he realizes that he has forgotten to protect Reed's Ford. Immediately, he orders the 4th US Cavalry and the Chicago Board of Trade Light Artillery to rush to the western end of the crossing. However, they can't reach the ford in time. Instead, they pull up 200 yards from the crossing and lay down a heavy fire on the 1 st Tennessee as it tries to cross the creek. This fire breaks apart the Tennessee regiment.

2:45 Pm

Despite the loss of its lead regiment, Gregg's brigade crosses West Chickamauga Creek in force. This action causes Minty to order the withdrawal of his brigade to the west. Forrest's cavalry follows Minty's retreating units across Reed's Bridge while McNair's brigade halts its attack and joins the divisional column heading for Reed's Ford.

Govan's brigade attacks Wilder's men at Alexander's Bridge. Wilder's 92nd Illinois is routed from its position during the fight. This retreat uncovers the crossing.

3:00 Pm

Colonel Govan leads the 6 & 7th Arkansas Consolidated regiment across Alexander's Bridge, but the attack is broken up by the 98th Illinois and the 18th Indiana Light Artillery. Remnants of the Confederate force retreat across the bridge as the 98th Illinois moves forward to block the crossing and the 92nd Illinois rallies to the support of its fellow regiment. If the Confederate attack had succeeded, Wilder's brigade would have been forced to retreat and the Rebels would have been victorious. This was a close call for the Yankees.

To the north, Minty's withdrawal and the Confederate lst Corps movement across Chickamauga Creek both continue.

3:15 Pm

Govan's force reorganizes for another shot at Alexander's Bridge, while Johnson's division closes on its march objective.

3:30 Pm

Pegram's Southern cavalry arrives and moves across Reed's Bridge. Liddell moves his batteries forward to bombard the Yankees at Alexander's Bridge at a closer range. After hearing of Minty's withdrawal and receiving reports of CS infantry moving to his rear, the wounded Colonel Wilder orders his brigade to withdraw to the west. Clearly, in his mind, discretion is the better part of valor in this situation. The Federals need to move before they are cut off from the main body of the Army of the Cumberland.

3:45 Pm

Liddell's division crosses Alexander's Bridge. Various Confederate initiative attempts to pursue the Federals fail.

4:00 Pm

Johnson's division is deployed as ordered. Pegram and Liddell close on the Winfrey House. The last units from both Union brigades exit to the west. The action ends.

Since neither side achieved their immediate victory conditions during the course of the game, points were totaled to determine the winner. The Confederates earned 9 points for inflicting 300 casualties on Wilder's brigade and 600 casualties on Minty's brigade. The Rebels also earned 2 points each for wounding Colonel Wilder and wrecking the 4th Michigan Cavalry and the 4th US Cavalry. The CS victory point total was 15 points.

The Union earned 25 points for causing 1400 casualties in Walthall's brigade, 600 casualties in Govan's brigade, 300 casualties in Gregg's brigade, and 200 casualties in McNair's brigade. The Yankees also earned 2 points each for wrecking the following regiments: 27th, 24th, 30th, and 29th Mississippi, 6 & 7th Arkansas Consolidated, 1st Tennessee Battalion, and the 2nd Arkansas Mounted Rifles. The US victory point total was 39 points.

Despite being forced away from the creek in 1 hour, the Union forces won a big victory. Clearly, the hammering that Walthall's brigade received from Wilder's men was the difference in the game.

Here's what I learned from the scenario:

1. The CS player needs to have a healthy respect for Wilder's brigade. Spencers plus breastworks plus a channeled attack equals trouble. However, the Union force at Alexander's Bridge can be beaten. Instead of rushing headlong into a firefight, the Confederates should work the Yankees' flanks by fire, rotate units in and out of the firing line, and keep looking for those fords. To win, the CS player must attack intelligently at both bridges.

2. The US player must keep an eye on the fords and be prepared to defend them if necessary. Minty's failure to protect Reed's Ford was a critical error. To win, the US player has to hold the crossings as long as possible, minimize his casualties, and withdraw his forces at just the right time.

As expected, my first impression of TTS is a good one. "Opening Guns" is just the beginning. I look forward to the battles ahead. See you along Chickamauga Creek.