Introduction
I make no apology for having designed this scenario solely on the basis of John Michael Priest's book Antietam (1989, White Mane Publishing, available in Britain from Oxford University Press). The events of the evening of September 16, 1862, provide the opportunity to pit two famous units against each other in a fairly small scenario suitable for those putting together their first Civil War miniature units. I was further inspired to try this as a result of acquiring two of Old Glory's 15mm bags of Hood's Texans and Pennsylvania Bucktails.
The action took place in the late afternoon and evening. The 3rd Pennsylvania Cavalry had probed south towards the East Woods and had come across Law's skirmishers. The cavalry had beaten a retreat only to be replaced by the brigade of Pennsylvania Reserves led by Brigadier General T. Seymour. These larger regiments, armed with breechloaders, had bested Law's poorly armed troops, who were now retreating through the East Woods. At this point, Confederate reinforcements arrived in the form of Wofford's brigade; initially the 4th and 5th Texas Regiments. Further help was on hand from a section of Poague's battery and a section of S. D. Lee's battery. The Pennsylvanians were supported by a battery, but Priest does not say which one it was. I have opted to use Simpson's four gun Pennsylvania battery.
Apparently, the fighting was inconclusive and involved long-range artillery fire by the Federals from the opposite bank of the Antietam, as well as overhead fire from the rest of Lee's battery in support of a section of twelve-pound Napoleons and a section of 3" rifles.
The Game
The game begins at 4:30 pm and ends at 8:00 pm. The game opens with Law's brigade about to be assaulted by the Pennsylvania Reserves.
Deployment
Please refer to the map. The 2nd and 6th Pennsylvania Regiments enter on move 2 at point A. Simpson's battery enters a Point A with the 2nd and 6th Pennsylvania. The 3rd Pennsylvania cavalry may be brought back on the field at point B, although the unit played little part in the actual battle. Federal units should be aware of Confederate artillery off board to their right flank (west.) A battery of three sections of thirty-pound Parrott guns may be off board to the east of the Union position. They should fire at maximum range and be using blind fire modifiers.
For the Confederates, Wofford's brigade will start on hold orders and will remain so until it has sight of Confederate troops in the East Woods (use the sighting rule before issuing orders). Lee's howitzer section may only move to support the Texans. Poague's section may only pivot. Lee's two further sections are off board on the south edge and may only fire using blind fire into the woods, unless the Federal troops emerge into the open south or west of the woods, and unless the fire is not overhead.
Terrain
Woods are broken; the cornfield is rough.
Victory Conditions
To win, either side must have complete control of the East Woods by the end of the 7:45 pm move.
Painter's Trivia
At this stage of the war, most of the Pennsylvania Reserves would have been wearing cadet grey trousers. All would be wearing either dark blue forage caps or black Hardee hats. The 13th Pennsylvania Reserves, at least, would have bucktails in their hats and forage caps.
The Penn. Bucktails at Antietam: Order of Battle
The Penn. Bucktails at Antietam: Battlefield Map
Related
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© Copyright 1995 The American Civil War Society
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