The Battle of Ocean Pond, 1864: Order of Battle and Game Information

The Battle of Ocean Pond

Order of Battle
and Game Information

by Andrew Birtle

General Information

Terrain. The map shows the area in which the action was fought and the troop locations for both sides. The Confederate trenches are off the western edge of the map because they played no part in the actual battle. With the exception of the two ponds (impassable) and the two fields, the entire area is covered by a pine forest. The forest was devoid of underbrush and therefore posed few mobility problems. The trees did, however, severely limit visibility and fire effectiveness.

Consequently, treat the ground as broken for movement and as woods for visibility and firing. Troops in column may use the road movement rate on the roads. If following the railroad track, troops in column may move at the open terrain rate.

Warning for the Union player! Interspersed through the pine barrens are areas of swampy ground. These are not shown on the map. Since the Confederates have been here for a week and are familiar with the ground, their briefing packet informs them where these areas are. The Confederate player will reveal the locations of the swamps only when troops actually enter them. Swamps are considered rough for movement and as woods for visibility and firing.

Game Length

The map depicts the situation as of 3:00 p.m., after the Rebel screening party had been driven in by Union skirmishers and the two battle lines came in contact. The game lasts until 7:00 p.m., at which time darkness brought the battle to a conclusion.

Victory Conditions

Victory goes to the player who drives his opponent from the field. After the game, you can read the synopsis of the battle that appears elsewhere in the magazine to compare your performance with that of your historical counterparts. Johnny Reb players should employ the Command Levels rule (ie. a brigade cannot advance after suffering 40 percent losses and must withdraw after suffering 60 percent casualties).

Ammunition Rules

Use Johnny Reb's ammo supply rules. Each side is allocated a single ammunition wagon that can replenish all "out of ammo" units, including artillery. It may not come closer than 12" to the front line. Alternatively, units may withdraw off the friendly rear edge of the table in order to replenish their ammo. Units that choose this option must remain off table for an entire turn.

Confederate Briefing

For the last few hours, your skirmishers have tried without success to draw the cautious Yankees into the killing zone in front of your trenches. You have now given up on that idea and have decided to attack the enemy, whom your pickets report consists of three infantry regiments backed by cavalry and artillery. You have just sent out a portion of Colquitt's brigade to engage the enemy, as shown on the map. As the fight develops, you decide to deploy the rest of your forces as indicated in the reinforcements list. All reinforcements will enter the table in march column in squares D-1 or E-1 (your choice).

Squares C-1 and A-3 contain swamp. As soon as anyone enters these squares, Confederate or Union, the swamp's presence must be declared and lichen placed on the table to indicate the area of the swamp.

The unit strengths listed in the order of battle are approximations intended to best fit the Johnny Reb format.

Confederate Order of Battle

Brigadier General Joseph Finegan commanding District of East Florida, level 2

Colquitt's Brigade

Brigadier General A.H. Colquitt, level 1

Harrison's Brigade

Colonel George P. Harrison, level 1

Smith's Cavalry Brigade

Colonel Caraway Smith, level 1

Reserve Artillery

Gamble's Florida Leon Artillery, 2 sections (4 mixed guns), green

Total force = 5,160 men (4,680 infantry, 480 cavalry) + 12 guns.

Deployed at Start

Colonel Smith, 2nd Florida Cavalry, 4th Georgia Calvary, 64th Georgia, Brigadier General Colquitt, Gamble's Battery, 6th Georgia, 19th Georgia, 28th Georgia. The infantry and cavalry are in line, and the artillery is unlimbered.

Reinforcements

The Rambo Option

In addition to the forces listed above, the Confederates also had available a single 30 pound Parrott mounted on a flatcar. A locomotive provided mobility. The rail battery was under the command of a Lieutenant Rambo. Historically, the rebels did not use the gun until the very end of the battle, when it fired off three shots, damaging its carriage in the process. If the Confederate player chooses to employ the gun, the following rules will apply: The gun may enter the game on turn 5 (4:20 p.m.) or any time thereafter. It is confined to moving along the tracks at a rate of 10 inches per turn. It may not move and fire in the same turn. For Johnny Reb III, count it as a single section of guns with a veteran crew. When firing, the gun becomes permanently disabled on a dice roll of all 6's. If the gun is withdrawn from the field it can not return. Loss of the gun will be deemed a particular disgrace.

Union Briefing

After marching 15 miles since early morning, your advance guard had just begun to set up an encampment when it came under a harassing fire from rebel skirmishers. You promptly deployed your cavalry and the 7th Connecticut Infantry as skirmishers. After driving the Rebels back about three miles, Confederate resistance suddenly began to stiffen and your skirmishers called for reinforcements. You have not had time to reconnoiter the ground, nor do you have any firm idea of Rebel strength, but you believe the Johnnies have no more than about 2,000 men in this part of Florida -- assuming, of course, they have not been reinforced! You decide to press the Rebs, sending Hawley's brigade forward immediately, with the rest of the column coming up as fast as possible. Your force consists of the following order of battle (the unit strengths are approximations to best fit Johnny Reb.)

Union Order of Battle

Brig. Gen. Truman Seymour, commanding district of Florida, level 2

Hawley's Brigade

Colonel J.R. Hawley, level 1

Montgomery's Brigade

Col. J. Montgomery, level 1

Henry's Brigade

Colonel Guy V. Henry, level 1

Barton's Brigade

Col. W. B. Barton, level 1

Total = 5,160 men (4,440 infantry, 720 cavalry) + 16 guns

Deployed at Start

Colonel Hawley; 7th Connecticut; 7th New Hampshire; 8th U.S. Colored Troops; Colonel Henry; 1st and 2nd Battalions, 40th Massachusetts Mounted Infantry; Independent Battalion Massachusetts Cavalry, Elder's Battery, Hamilton's Battery. The cavalry and mounted infantry are mounted and in line. The batteries are unlimbered. The 7th New Hampshire. and 8th U.S. Colored Troops are in march column, while the 7th Connecticut is in skirmish order.

Reinforcements

All reinforcements enter in column in square B-6 (your choice of roads).

Special Note: The 7th Connecticut has already been in combat for nearly two hours and starts the game out of ammunition. [For Johnny Reb III players: The 7th Connecticut has already attempted to replenish its ammo during a "pre-game" routs and rally phase (JR III, p. 12), but failed to make its roll.] Consequently, the only way it can get resupplied is to withdraw, either off the board or to the supply wagon.

Large Map (92K)

back to Ocean Pond Historical Summary

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