This scenario was previously published in November 1986, but very few of our members had joined the Society at that time. There have been several requests to re-publish it because of the small number of troops involved. Our apologies to those who have already read it, but that number is far outweighed by those who will see it for the first time. Compared to such Kentucky battles as Perryville, the Battle of Logan's Cross Roads was a minor engagement, but one which can easily be used as a miniatures scenario by most gamers. The Union forces consisted of 9 infantry regiments, the equivalent of 1 cavalry regiment, and 3 artillery batteries. Confederate forces consisted of 8 infantry regiments, the equivalent of 1 cavalry regiment, and 2 artillery batteries. Artillery played a very insignificant role in the battle, which is fortunate since research did not divulge the number or types of ordnance used on either side. Artillery composition must, of necessity, be left up to the scenario participants. Summarized, Confederate General Crittenden was faced with a desperate situation on January 18, 1862. He knew that part of George Thomas' command had arrived a few miles away, trapping him between the Union force and Fishing Creek, which was currently swollen and impassable. Crossing the creek with the enemy so close was potentially disasterous, so he decided to attack before Union reinforcements could arrive. This he did, beginning the attack at daybreak on the 19th. Battle Started The battle started when the Confederate cavalry encountered pickets of the Ist Kentucky Cavalry, which promptly fell back to the support of the 10th Indiana (the cavalry on both sides fought dismounted). Before Union reinforcements could arrive from camp, Zollicoffer deployed his brigade, pushing the men of the 10th Indiana and Ist Kentucky Cavalry back, until they were joined by the 4th Kentucky, led by Col. Speed S. Fry. Wolford's cavalry and the 10th Indiana passed through the 4th Kentucky as it took up a position behind a long fence. Not far in front of the fence was a ravine which the Confederates used for shelter once they had crossed an open field, being subjected to fire until they reached cover. Fry cursed the Confederates, calling them cowards for hiding. After a short period of quiet when both sides were preparing to renew the engagement, the Confederates made an all out attack on the 4th Kentucky's front and overlapping its right flank. Things were looking desperate for the Federals until the 10th Indian was placed in a position to cover the flank. Once this was done the tide of battle turned, with the Union regiments constantly outflanking the Confederates and enfilading their positions. General George H. Thomas arrived on the scene and made several strategic placements of his regiments which, more than anything else, began to swing the battle strongly toward the Union side. The Confederates, somewhat demoralized by the death of General Zollicoffer were being pushed back by the determined advance of the 12th Kentucky and the 1st and 2nd Tennessee (Union) regiments on the Confederate right. This, combined with a fierce bayonet charge by the 2nd Minnesota and the gth Ohio on the Confederate left, caused the entire Rebel line to give way to a disorderly retreat. The Union pursuit ceased near nightfall, and in the morning it was discovered that the Confederate force has "skeedaddled", leaving much of their equipment and supplies behind. Total reported casualties for the Union forces were 40 killed, 207 wounded, and 15 missing or captured, while the Confederate losses were 125 killed, 309 wounded, and 99 missing or captured. Total numbers involved in the battle have been estimated at about 4000 men per side. Scenario Ideas The enclosed map shows the disposition of all forces at the height of battle. When recreating this scenario the following conditions should exist: 1. Only the Ist Kentucky Cavalry and the 10th Indiana should be on the table for the beginning of the battle, while Zollicoffer's Brigade plus the cavalry should be deployed for the Confederates. 2. The 4th Kentucky can be placed on the table beginning the 2nd hour of the battle. 3. Carroll's Confederate Brigade can be deployed on the table at the beginning of the 3rd hour, with remaining Union forces being deployed at 3 1/2 hours. A victory for the Confederates would be the destruction and rout of the Ist Kentucky, 4th Kentucky, and 10th Indiana before additional Union forces can arrive. A major victory would be to force all Union regiments off of the table without suffering more than 30% casualties. A Union victory would be to hold the line at the edge of the west woods, while a major victory would be forcing the Rebels back past the east woods (see map of game table setup) without suffering more than 25% casualties, NOTE: About 70% of all Union, and 40% of all Confederate infantry should be armed with rifled muskets, with the remainder being armed with smoothbore muskets. Union cavalry would be armed with carbines, while Confederates would be mostly armed with shotguns and pistols. In the below listed orders of battle all units and generals are assigned a rating of 1-10, with "1" being the worst possible, and "10" being the absolute best available. Players must transpose these ratings to those of the rules set being used to play out the scenario. Each side's units averaged about 400 effectives. THE OPPOSING FORCES UNION: Commanded by George H. Thomas (rated an "8"). Col. Mahlon D. Manson's (6) Brigade: 10th Indiana (6); 4th Kentucky (7); 10th Kentucky (5); 14th Ohio (3). Col. Robert McCook's (5) Brigade: 2nd Minnesota (6); gth Ohio (5). Brig. Genl. Samuel Carter's (4) Brigade: 12th Kentucky (4); 1st Tennessee (2); 2nd Tennessee (3); 1st Kentucky Cavalry (2). Artillery: Batteries "B" and "C" - Ist Ohio (both = 5); 9th Ohio Battery (5). Confederate Commanded by Maj. Genl. George B. Crittenden (6) Brig. Genl. Felix Zollicoffer's (7) Brigade: 15th Mississippi (8); 19th Tennessee (7); 20th Tennessee (4); 25th Tennessee (3); Rutledge's Tennessee Battery (4). Brig. Genl. William Carroll's (5) Brigade: 16th Alabama (5); 17th Tennessee (5); 28th Tennessee (5); 29th Tennessee (5); McClung's Tennessee Battery (4). Cavalry: 2 independent companies of Tennessee Cavalry (6) (about 240 men). Back to The Zouave Vol I No. 4 Table of Contents Back to The Zouave List of Issues Back to Master Magazine List © Copyright 1987 The American Civil War Society This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. 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