To date, all of the scenarios published in THE ZOUAVE have been geared to at least a division per side, catering to the larger clubs or people who have painted numerous ACW figures. By doing this we have perhaps ignored our many members who are geographically isolated and cannot call upon more than one other person to conduct a battle. To remedy this situation, to please those who are just now entering the hobby and are novices, and to tie a scenario into Ryan Toews' article on Wheat's Tigers, I have written this report of Genl. Richard Taylor's Louisiana Brigade's attack on the flank of the Union forces at Port Republic during Stonewall Jackson's Shenandoah Valley Campaign. While the troops used in this scenario are few in number, the scenario covers a most critical part of the Battle of Port Republic and was the turning point in the battle. Unfortunately, my research in many cases could not turn up exact numbers of combatants involved in each unit, or the types of guns used in the Union batteries. My search for material included the Official Records, original manuscripts held in local archives, and many books dedicated to Jackson's Valley Campaign or on Louisiana troops during the Civil War. Some guesswork was made necessary by this, yet the overall scenario can be considered accurate in its historical presentation. As a native of Louisiana, it is my hope that those who choose to play the scenario will derive great pleasure in fielding or fighting against Wheat's Tigers and the many other "wharf rats, thugs, and ruffians" who were to so colorfully portray Louisiana's contribution to Jackson's famous Valley Army! ORDER OF BATTLE Confederate: Brigadier General Richard Taylor (+2 effect) 6th Louisiana 400 men Elite Rifled Muskets 9th Louisiana 400 men Elite Smoothbore Muskets Wheat's Tigers 200 men Elite Rifled Muskets 44th and 58th Virginia 400 men Average Rifled Mukets Union: Col. Charles Candy (Candy, of the 66th Ohio led the left flank) (+1) 5th Ohio 400 men Average Rifled Muskets 7th Ohio 400 men Average Rifled Muskets 66th Ohio 300 men Average Rifled Muskets 66th Ohio, 2 companies * 100 men Average Rifled Muskets Battery E, 4th U.S. Artillery Average six 10 pdr. Parrott Rifles Battery H, 1st Ohio Light Artillery Average four 10 pdr. Parrott Rifles * (treat as separate unit and must stay in skirmish formation) (Note on artillery) : There were actually three batteries involved in this engagement, including Battery L, 1st Ohio Light Artillery. However, the guns from these batteries were shifted back and forth during various stages of the fight and, for ease of play, suffice it to say that it was the 4th U.S. Artillery that was first captured and that it was the four guns from Battery H, 1st Ohio Light Artillery that blasted the Tigers from close range. THE SCENARIO It is important to point out to readers that parts of the scenario consist of "guesstimates" due to a lack of precise information in the Official Records. This is a problem inherent when trying to dissect a battle into one or more of its various components. Having gone through all of the battle reports filed by participants on both sides, the following information could not be found: the beginning time of Taylor's attack or its duration, the number of men in any of the regiments, and the exact types of guns used in the engaged Union batteries. The author was able to determine that all ordnance pieces were rifled and that at least one battery used all 10 pdr. Parrotts. For the sake of historical accuracy, it is also important to point out that there were actually parts of 3 batteries involved in the fight on the left flank and that the guns became intermingled. Of the 6 guns captured at the beginning, 3 were from Battery E - 4th U.S. Artillery, while 2 pieces belonged to another battery and a 6th gun came from yet another Union battery. Rather than confuse readers, the author decided to simplify all of this by declaring the captured battery to be the 4th U.S. Artillery. The scenario is meant to last for up to 10 turns (2 1/2 hours) with a Confederate victory being decided by the Louisiana Brigade being able to hold onto the guns. Holding onto the guns is meant to include any Louisiana unit being in non-routed status anywhere from the ravine to beyond the captured battery. Being in the ravine for more than 2 turns beyond the very first turn will give the Union an automatic victory unless a Confederate unit is there rallying from a rout. On the 9th turn Confederate reinforcements arrive (the 44th and 58th Virginia) and must attempt to charge any Union troops near the guns. The game will be a draw if the Union force can defeat the Louisiana units, even if the Union regiments are routed by the Virginians at the end. The Union side claims a victory if they can defeat both the Louisiana and Virginia troops or if they are within 3 inches of the 4th U.S. Battery and in non-routed status at the end of the game. The scenario starts with the Louisiana Brigade charging the guns on the first turn. The guns MAY NOT be turned to fire and will be hit in the flank. Also, no other Union troops can fire on the first turn. Taylor's men will be disordered because of the brush they will be crossing in the charge, and they MAY NOT charge beyond the guns. On the second turn Battery H, 1st Ohio Light Artillery may turn to face, along with the 66th Ohio. Also, the 5 figure skirmisher "companies" from the 66th Ohio may begin firing on the Confederates starting the 2nd turn. At this point, anything is fair game, the battle having started off as it did historically. TERRAIN DESCRIPTION: The ravine will count as HEAVY WORKS, although the Confederates must attempt to avoid being in it for more than 2 turns. The brush between the ravine and the 4th U.S. Artillery battery will be considered BROKEN, but all units charging or moving from the ravine will be automatically considered DISORDERED for that turn! MAP NOTES: The map is geared to a 4 f t. by 4 f t. table, with each square showing one square foot. There are some unit depictions numbered 1-5. Those numbers correspond to the following units; 1 = 4th U.S. Artillery, 2 = 66th Ohio, 3 = Battery H, 1st Ohio Light Artillery, 4 = 5th Ohio, 5 = 7th Ohio. The two Virginia regiments (consolidated) under Ewell can charge out from the woods on the correct turn from map point "C". All units from the Louisiana Brigade begin the scenario in the ravine. There are 4 inches from the ravine to the beginning of the hill. Back to The Zouave Vol II No. 3 Table of Contents Back to The Zouave List of Issues Back to Master Magazine List © Copyright 1988 The American Civil War Society This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com