Some On To Richmond Scenarios

Pre-Gettysburg and On to Atlanta

By Paul Koch

The following scenarios are based on the suggested army size and sample boards given in the rules themselves. They have proven to be great fun and are tactical corps size exercises, not historical reconstructions. While I have nothing against such re-creations, I find more military lessons and recreation to be derived from the former. The latter seem to be the result of those with limited imaginations.

SCENARIO 1: The Flank Attack (Eastern theatre - pre Gettysburg)

Union Order of Battle:

    9 Infantry Brigades in 3 Divisions
    5 Battalions of guns (3 rifled and 2 smoothbore)
      Note: At the commander's option 2 Battalions may be put in a Corps reserve while the remaining three are parceled out, one to each Division.

    1 Cavalry Brigade attached, rated GREEN. Other units rolled as per rules. All Brigades are of 6 stands.

Confederate Order of Battle:

    6 Infantry Brigades in 2 Divisions
    4 Battalions of guns (2 rifled and 2 smoothbore) - 2 of the Battalions are assigned to each Division.
    1 Cavalry Brigade of 10 stands. WOW! (Special Roll: 0-5 = Veteran, 6-9 Elite). All other units rolled as per rules. Infantry Brigades are all of 8 stands.

Union Orders

After rolling for his troop and leader quality the Yankee C-in-C must mark on a map the chosen defensive position he wishes across the board facing South. He may set up anywhere except the southern-most 6" of the board.

Confederate Orders

After rolling for his troop and leader quality the Reb C-in-C marks on a map a flank (left or right) of the Union position he wishes to attack. He then must write out an order of march, in no more than two parallel columns, across the Union front.

THE ACTS OF GOD

This is what makes this scenario a good one to play over and over again. Each commander rolls three (3) competative dice rolls. The game is then set up as follows:

CSA
C-in-C
USA
C-in-C
Result
30Union C-in-C sets out his forces as per his map. Confederate C-in-C now places his forces full on the Union flank 1" from the closest Union unit. Total Surprise, raise the Rebel yell!
21Union C-in-C sets out his forces as per his map. Confederate C-in-C now places his forces full on the Union flank, but no more than 6" in from the board edge. Nearly Total Surprise.
12Confederate C-in-C sets out his forces full on the Union flank, but no more than 6" from the edge of the board. Union C-in-C now may pivot his dispositions 90 degrees and face the attack head on. The dirty Yankees or our brave lads have been warned in the nick of time!
03Confederate C-in-C places his forces in march column, as per his map, across the front of the Union positions. Our poor boys or the Rebel dogs have been discovered - the work of spies no doubt!

SCENARIO 2: A Reinforcing Bash

(Western theatre or On To Atlanta)

If any who read this are at all like me, they go to a great deal of work to set up a table and then, having played a single game, must take it all down again. Therefore, after having played Scenario 1, carefully pick up and reorganize your armies but leave the table untouched. Next week's game, while quite different, will be fought with the same figures and over the same terrain.

UNION ORDER OF BATTLE

As per scenario 1 except Cavalry brigade will be rolled for quality and is armed with breechloaders.

CONFEDERATE ORDER OF BATTLE

As per scenario 1 except Cavalry brigade is 8 stands in strength and its quality rolled for.

Troop and Commander quality use following chart:

TROOP TYPEUSA
Inf/Cav
CSA
Inf/Cav
Combat Value
Inf/Cav/Art
GREEN0 / -0,1/ 03/4/6
REGULAR1-4/0-32-5/1-44/5/6
VETERAN5-7/4-86-8/5-85/6/6
ELITE8,9/99 / 96/7/6

COMMANDERUSA / CSAMORALE PASSES
EXCEPTIONAL8,9/8,95
FIREBRAND6,7/5,74
AGGRESSIVE3-5/3,43
CAUTIOUS0-2/0-22
POLTROON-/-1

On turn 1, only the Cavalry are present. They arrive at point [A] for the Union and point [B] for the Confederates. After the Cavalry have moved on turn 3 one of the remaining Divisional cards is added to the move deck. Another card is added each turn until all are present. All forces arrive at the same point as their Cavalry. This game makes for an excellent headlong bash. The somewhat better quality charts are to reflect the generally excellent level of soldiering displayed by both sides in this campaign.


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