The main object of the large wargame described below was to try out Chris Beaumont's system of battle orders, Basically his method is this. "Instead of writing orders for all units each move, the commanding officer gives orders to his units at the start of the game for as many moves as he thinks fit, this usually means as many as he can plan ahead."
Viz: Unit "A" might be told "Advance directly forward for first 3 moves till you reach such and-such a position. Then remain stationary till further orders."
So regardless of other events the above unit would march straight forward, even if there are enemy troops blocking the way. If the situation changes and the general later wishes to recall the unit and/or change its orders he can do the following:
- 1. Ride to the unit himself (not a very bright plan in such a large affair as this).
2. Send an aide with fresh orders.
3. Throw an "initiative"dice. A 5 or 6 means the commander of the unit has the brains to rewrite his orders.
As in our own game, the first few moves are fast and smooth as most orders are pre-written: A commander outwitted by his opponent cannot immediately rectify the situation but must stiffer the penalty of having to send aides all over the battlefield to find fresh orders or give orders. (Sykes sent three (!!) aides to Porter for help when his initiative dice fell two's and three's).
A slight modification of the WRG rules, plus the fact that we did speed things up a little by allotting all Confederate troops to make a double move on the first two wargame moves.
However, these were made under fire each single move. The Reb artillery not coming into action until the third move.
For the large numbers engaged in this battle we saw fit to make our own dice viz: 12, 13/-1, 14, 15/-2, 16, 17/-3. These dice were grayed so that when falling on either 13/-1, 15/-2, or 17/-3; the -1 etc., would indicate officers killed: e.g. 1) thirteen men and two officers killed, save throws with normal dice for each man. All troops gave a volley on the 20 man ratios, odd men fired in units of four when possible.
No painting of any great, importance was carried out on the figures. The flags of each regiment were made to state, Brigade, Division, etc. Also for the Union troops a small dab of paint on each base was good to mark the regiments and brigades, etc; Red = Martindale, Blue a Griffin and so on. The Confederates were marked per regiment as well as brigades, thus 8th GA light grey slouch hats, 15th Gat dark brown slouch hats, etc. A company on each side consisted of 30-40 men, five sergeants, five officers.
A strict check was kept on the dead and wounded of each side to ensure that each unit did not try to 'bring to life' more fire power than they in fact had. This being done by placing a small adhesive marker on the base of each company every move.
If one puts a little 'personal' touch to the battle it does make it a lot more interesting viz: Whiting is shot and his troops start to panic, Lee sends a staff officer with fresh orders etc., so you see each regiment and brigade become a hey link in the chain of events. Te think that after being involved in wargames over the past six years, this big battle, outdoors, with such a fluctuating order system is one of the greatest facets of wargaming. You are in the middle of things from the word 'go' and with a battlefield 30ft x 14ft, one must use field glasses to determine what troops you have in action on the flanks!!
SITUATION
Major-General Fitz John Porter has been ordered to hold back any demonstration by the Reb army of Northern Virginia on McClellans right flank. For this reason he has taken up a defensive position along the Powhite Creek, on the elevated ground north of the Chickahominy. The sloping ground giving a good field of fire for the Union batteries. The Confederate Army was compelled to advance for the first game-move along the Gaines Mill-Old Cold Harbor Road, thus being exposed to the sweeping fire of these guns.
Lee's intention was an all-out assault on Porter's position, crushing him and falling on MeClellans line of communication.
An Outdoor ACW Wargame Gaines Mill
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© Copyright 1975 by Donald Featherstone.
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