The battle was fought between myself, Philip Hall, and Harold Connor commanding the Federals while John Turnbull, John Rowett and Mr. Connor's son commanded the Confederates.
I prepared the battle from a book 'The National Park Service Historical Handbook Series' from H.M.S.O. in London (2s-3d.). I commanded Tyler's Division, Philip Hunter's Division and Harold Heintezelman's Divisions. We split the guns and I had the cavalry. The opposition divided the 9 full Brigades and Cavalry between them. Each Brigade was 2 regiments except where marked (50 men + officers per regiment) and they arrived on the battlefield as they did in the original battle as did the 3 Federal Divisions who were the divisions engaged.
The battle was fought under your rules (Wargames) plus additions. The battle took a day to fight at the Garrison. 1 regiment of reinforcements was allowed on per move starting at the 3rd move and none could arrive during the lull (1 p.m.-2 p.m. 13th-16th moves).
Keyes Brigade of Tylers Division immediately attacked Stone Bridge. 1 regiment ran for 8 moves (dice of 1, 2 thrown for all troops - first battle of Civil 4ar when coming under fire for first time - if thrown they retreat 1 move until 5, 6 is thrown). It was not until the 5th move that Stone Bridge was captured with the help of Sherman's Brigade from the Confederate Brigade of Evans, which fell back to Bee's Brigade. Hunter's Division advanced along the Manassas-Sudley Road and by Carter House making an attack along the Confederate front between Stone House and Robinson Bee and Evans Brigade plus Cocke's Brigade from Ball's Ford stemmed the advance but by this time Tyler's Division-3 Regiment was across Stone Bridge and was now joined on the 10th move by the routed regiment of Keye's Brigade.
Reserves from Heintezelman's Division were pouring down the Manassas-Sudley Road all this time and there was a general Federal advance. The Confederates were reinforced by Jackson's Brigade, Hampton's Legion and Bonham's Brigade. Federal guns were positioned on a hill south of Matthews House and casualties were heavy on both side. The Confederates were pushed back outnumbered the remains of their 11 regiments facing all the Federals - 18 regiments. Their position was hopeless as soon as Henry House Hill was taken. Tyler's Division now 6 regiments strong was on the left of Hunter's Division, and during the lull at 1 p.m. it fell back behind Bull Run. Heintezelman's Division similarly fell bacK on the right to Stone House after it's advance to a wood south of that House (see map).
After the lull Confederate reinforcements poured on and the Confederates planned a counter- attack from their positions in the wood. Any attack from them however would have to be across open ground and up Henry House Hill, now in Federal hands. The Federal artillery 9 guns strong (they captured a Confederate gun) was smashing the Confederates as their reinforcements came on. Though by now outnumbered they advanced to the northern edge of the wood facing Henry House Hill and established a line running south-east to Portici House.
The Federals sensing victory advanced completely Tyler's Divisions capturing Portici and threatening the enemy's line of retreat. Heintezelman's Division now advanced south and charging the Confederates captured or killed all the men west of the Manassas-Sudley Road. Hunter's Division backed by 5 guns on Henry House Hill attacked the woods to the south and emerged at the other end victorious, and linked with Tyler's Division. By 5 P.m. the Confederates were crushed only their cavalry, 2 or 3 guns and at most 2 regiments escaped. The rest were killed or captured. (This is the result of deadly rules and no quarter given). The Federal victory was complete and unlike in the original battle Henry House and Hill were captured. The Confederates suffered from reinforcements coming on throughout the day and the rules did not give the weaker side the chance to hold out against overwhelming strength. (The Confederates suffered from bad dice throws from when they were first fired on).
However, everyone enjoyed the battle immensely, the Confederates determined to fight to the end. until we could stay at the shop no longer.
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© Copyright 1970 by Donald Featherstone.
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