The following scenario is based on the situation facing the opposing forces on the Confederate right flank during the battle of Bull Run. Certain slight changes have been made however, in order to make a better game.
During the actual battle, Union units of Miles' Division and Richardson's Brigade were ordered to make a diversion against the rebels at Blackburn's and Mitchell's Fords. Though they engaged in some minor skirmishing and artillery fire, the Union troops on this sector of the line were remarkably unaggressive. This lack of combativeness allowed the Confederates to transfer troops to their left, where the main battle was being fought.
This scenario looks at the possibility of a full scale Union assault on three of the lower fords of Bull Run. If the Union forces would have been able to clear the fords and advance in some strength on Manassas Junction, this surely would have pulled more Confederate troops to this threatened sector, at the expense of the main battle on the left. Who knows, this may have changed the results of the battle. In any case, the situation provides a very tense and unpredictable game.
VICTORY CONDITIONS AND GAME LENGTH
To win, the Union forces must exit at least four routed infantry units off the south edge of the table by turn 22 (where each turn equals 15 minutes). NOTE: 3 sections of artillery can substitute for one infantry regiment, hut no more than one infantry regiment can be replaced in this way. For the Confederates, they must prevent the Union forces from achieving their victory conditions in order to emerge victorious.
TERRAIN DESCRIPTION (Using Johnny Reb terms)
Bull Run is impassible to all troop types except at fords. The fords are only one stand wide and can be crossed as broken terrain. Little Rocky Run can be crossed as rough terrain. All woods are light and the slopes are gentle, both being treated as broken terrain. The banks of both streams are covered with brush and scattered trees along most of their lengths and should provide a cover benefit equal to that of a wooden fence to any fire passing through it.
DEPLOYMENT (Note: Hidden movement counters should be used by both sides. Each regiment and battery getting one dummy and one real counter).
The Confederates deploy Longstreet's and D.R. Jones' Brigades anywhere south of Bull Run before game's start. Bonham's Brigade will enter as reinforcements.
The Union forces can enter on road square A or trail square B or both. Any troops entering on road square A may enter on turn 1. However, any troops entering on trail square B cannot enter until turn 4 due to the delay in marching. Regardless, Union entry time cannot be delayed past turn 4.
REINFORCEMENTS
The Confederate Bonham's Brigade enters the game as reinforcements in two groups. The first group Consists of the 11th N.C., 3rd and 7th S.C., and Shield's Battery. It will enter on turn 8 at either road square C or D, at the Confederates option.
The second group consists of the 2nd and 8th S.C., and Kemper's Battery. Its entry time is subject to a certain event and a dice roll. The turn AFTER an unrouted Union infantry regiment moves to the south side of Bull Run, the Confederates roll one six sided die. A result of 5 or six allows the group to enter that turn at road square C or D. Any other result and they do not arrive that turn. The Confederates roll every turn until they either arrive or the game ends. Regardless, this group may not arrive before turn 8.
ORDERS OF BATTLE (Note: The strength of the brigades have been reduced proportionately, for in reality they were so large that it would be unfeasible for gamers to field them. Morale ratings are given as per Johnny Reb rules.
Weapons: Before the game, roll 2D6 for each regiment. Odd no. = smoothbore muskets, even no. = rifled muskets.
UNION
Col. Blenker will command all Union forces.
Miles' Division: Col. Dixon S. Miles (Miles not present; drunk in Centreville)
- 1st Brigade: Col. L. Blenker (+1)
- 8th N.Y. Green 400 men
29th N.Y. Green 500
39th N.Y. Green 400
27th N.Y. Green 300
Battery A, 2nd U.S. Artillery: 1 sec.12 lb. How., 1 sec. 6 lb. smoothbores.
2nd Brigade: Col. T.A.Davies (+1)
- 16th N.Y. Green 400 men
18th N.Y. Green 400
31st N.Y. Green 400
32nd N.Y. Green 400
Battery G, 2nd U.S. Artillery: Average, 2 sections 10 lb. Parrotts
Richardson's Brigade: Col. Israel B. Richardson (+1)
- 1st Mass. Green 400 men
12th N.Y. Green 500
2nd Mich. Avg. 400 Mich. Avg. 300
Battery G, 1st U.S. Artillery: Average, 1 section 20 lb. Parrotts
Battery M, 2nd U.S. Artillery: Average, 2 sections 12 lb. Napoleons
CONFEDERATE
Longstreet commands until Bonham arrives, then Bonham has seniority.
Longstreet's Brigade: Brig. Gen. James Longstreet (+1)
- 5th N.C. Green 400
1st Virg. Avg. 400
11th Virg. Green 300
17th Virg. Avg. 300
3rd Company, Washington Artillery; Avg. 1 section 6 lb. Smoothbores
Jones' Brigade: Brig. Gen. D R Jones (+1)
- 17th Miss. Green 500
18th Miss. Green 400
5th S.C. Green 300
2nd Co., Wash. Art.: Avg. 1 section 6 lb. smoothbores
Bonham's Brigade: Brig. Gen. ML Bohnam
- 11th N.C. Green 400
2nd S.C. Green 500
3rd S.C. Green 400
7th S.C. Green 500
8th S.C. Green 400
1st Rich. How. (Shield's): Avg. 2 sec. 6 lb. James rifle
Alexandria Art. (Kemper's): Avg., 1 sec. 6 lb. smoothbore
Editor's Now]: We will be printing another scenario by Rod in the next issue, entitled "First Blood, Part II". I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Rod for being one of those mainstay authors who keep magazines like this going. Rod, if you lived down here, I would make you an associate editor for all of your effort!
Back to The Zouave Vol IV No. 1 Table of Contents
Back to The Zouave List of Issues
Back to Master Magazine List
© Copyright 1990 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