First Blood, Part I In an earlier issue we examined the action around Blackburn's Ford during the battle of First Bull Run. Now we switch our attention to the Confederate left flank, where the main battle of the day was fought. Basically, the Confederate plan of action was to mass the majority of its brigades on the right, around Mitchell's and Blackburn's Fords, then cross bull Run and attack Centreville, thereby cutting the Union army off from Washington (see strategic map). This plan was pre-empted by the Union strike against the Confederate's own left flank, a move that was not foreseen by Beauregard, the rebel commander. However, noticing this maneuver from his position behind the Stone Bridge, was fiery rebel colonel Nathan 'Shanks' Evans. Quickly perceiving the threat, he moved his small brigade to the left, arriving in the nick of time on Matthews Hill about 9:15 in the morning. Other Confederate units, in the form of Bee's and Bartow's brigades were also rushing to the scene. Crossing Sudley Ford with Burnside's brigade in the lead, the Federals emerged from the woods northwest of Matthews Hill about 9:30 a.m. (see battle map). Fighting soon erupted between Burnside and Porter on one side, and Bee, Bartow, and Evans on the other. The issue was finally decided around noon when Franklin reinforced the Federals from the rear and Sherman appeared on the Confederate flank from the east. Making a hasty retreat that soon degenerated into a rout, the rebels fell back toward Henry House Hill. Their effort, however, delayed the Union advance long enough that more Confederate troops were able to reach the scene. Among the first to arrive were Hampton's South Carolina Legion and General T. J. Jackson's (who was soon to be known either by criticism or compliment as 'Stonewall') brigade. Recognizing that Henry Hill was the most important piece of ground on the battlefield, overlooking as it did both the upper fords of Bull Run and the Warrenton Turnpike, Jackson deployed his troops behind its crest. Hampton moved his troops down behind the Turnpike fence near the Robinson house. While Bee's, Bartow's, and Evans' disorganized remnants fell in to the east of Henry Hill, a comparitive lull fell over the battlefield as both sides marshalled their forces for the next round. McDowell added Keyes' and Willcox's brigades to his forces, while Beauregard, who had finally arrived, organized a defense around Jackson with whatever units happened to turn up. Between 1 and 2 p.m., the next stage of the drama unfolded. The Federals pushed their forces onto Henry Hill and engaged Jackson. Heavy casualties were taken by both sides and there was even a flamboyant charge made by J.E.B. Stuart's 1st Virginia Cavalry against the 11th New York 'Fire' Zouaves. But the decisive moment came when one of Jackson's regiments assaulted the relatively unsupported Union batteries of Griffin and Ricketts. Through a combination of good timing and luck, the Confederates managed to decimate the gun crews and force the Federals to abandon the pieces. This action disorganized the Union attack and forced them temporarily back down the hilt. But more importantly, it took away the Federals' initiative which they had enjoyed so far that day. It is at this point, around 3 p.m., that our scenario ends, for it was only up until that time that McDowell had his best chance of winning. After 3 o'clock, Howard arrived for the Union, while Elzey's brigade and portions of Early's, Cocke's, and Bonham's appeared to strengthen the rebels. With the initiative now in their hands, the Confederates continued to hammer the Union line. Around 4 or 4:30, the Federals began to retreat, which soon turned into a rout. Thus, the largest battle yet fought on the continent came to its ignomious end. Interesting Scenario This battle provides an interesting scenario because of the accidental and often lucky arrival of the various forces of both sides. It takes a good (or lucky, as in real life) commander to use his troops effectively when they arrive in driblets. The arrival times were ascertained by a very careful reading of Davis and others, and should be accurate. The only changes made to history were the strengths of the opposing brigades and regiments. Since the average brigade numbered about 3000 men and the average regiment about 700, it was felt that some sort of reduction was necessary to make the battle gameable. Since all reductions were made proportionally, this should not effect the battle. VICTORY AND GAME LENGTH The game begins with the 9:30 a.m. turn and ends at 3 p.m., turn 23. By that time the Union forces must control the Henry House plateau. Control is defined by having amajority of unrouted regiments on the plateau and the Confederates can no longer seriously contest the occupation. Otherwise, victory goes to the rebels. TERRAIN (J.R. terms used) All slopes are gentle and woods are light, and both are treated as broken terrain, except where they overlap, in which case they are rough terrain. Young's Branch is a small stream and can be crossed anywhere as broken ground. A special consideration is the cornfields, which are marked on the map. Since they are ripe, they block the line of sight of units on the same level and can be crossed only as broken terrain. All other terrain is standard. DEPLOYMENT Evans' brigade begins the game set up anywhere on Matthews Hill. Bartow's and Bee's (minus the 6th North Carolina) brigades are deployed in march column in the area between the elbow of Young's Branch and the Warrenton Turnpike, marked by an "A" on the map. All other troops enter as reinforcements. REINFORCEMENT SCHEDULE Below is listed in chronological order the arrival of troops and leaders of both sides, and by what roads they enter the table, which are marked by numbers on the map. All units enter in march column. Each turn is equal to 15 minutes. For Stars 'N Bars III users, reinforcements still enter in the order listed but during the grand tactical movement phase. The right side of the schedule lists the hourly round they enter and their maximum grand tactical movement distance for the turn. TURN Unit LOCATION SnB3 1 U.S. Burnside's with Gen. Hunter 1 HRI 30" 2 U.S. Porter's 1 20" 8 C.S. Hampton's Legion 3 HRII 10" 9 U.S. Franklin's w/ Heintz. and McD. C.S. Jackson's 1 3 HRIII 30" 30" 11 U.S. Sherman's 2 15" 12 U.S. Keyes' C.S. General Beauregard 2 3 10" 10" 13 U.S. Willcox's C.S. 49th Virginia 1 3 (east side of sq.) HRIV 30" 25" 14 C.S. 8th Virginia 3 20" 15 C.S. 6th North Carolina C.S. 1st Virginia Cavalry 3 4 15" 18" 17 C.S. Squire's Battery 4 HRV 30" ORDERS OF BATTLE On the next page is listed the orders of battle, along with brigade strengths (or regimental where applicable) and morale ratings. Where Stars 'N Bars III morale is different than Johnny Reb, it is listed in parenthesis. SNB3 leader ratings are also listed in parenthesis. Armament for each regiment should be found by rolling two six sided dice, with odd numbers equaling smoothbore muskets and even numbers equaling rifled muskets. Union Gen. Irvin McDowell +3 (Med/Imp.) 1st Division Gen. Tyler (on opposite side of Bull Run) 1st Brigade: Col. Keyes (+1) 1400 men 2nd Maine Green 1st Conn. Green 2nd Conn. Green 3rd Conn. Green 3rd Brigade Col. Shemian (+2; Superior Brigade Leader) 1700 men 13th New York Green 69th New York Average (Regular) 79th New York Green 2nd Wisc. Average (Regular) E/3rd U.S. Art. (Ayres) Ave rage (Vet. Reg.) 1 sec. 12 pdr. How.; 1 sec. 10 lb. Parrotts; 1 sec.6pdr. Smoothbores. 2nd Division: Gen. David Hunter +1 (Desp/Uninsp.) 1st Brigade: Col. Porter (+1) 2000 men 8th N.Y. Militia Militia 14th N.Y. Militia Militia 27th N.Y. Militia Militia Bn. U.S. Infantry Elite Bn. U.S. Marines Green Bn. U.S. Cavalry Avg. (Reg.) D/5th U.S. Art. (Griffin) Avg. (Vet. Reg.) 2 sec. 10 lb. Parrotts; 1 sec. 12 lb. How. 2nd Brigade Col. Burnside (+1) 1300 men 2nd N. H. Green 1st R.I. Green 2nd RI. Green 71st N.Y. Green 2nd R.I. Art. Green 3 sect. 12 lb. James Rifle 71st N.Y. Art. Green 1 sect. 12 lb. Naval Howitzers 3rd Division: Gen. Heintzelman +2 (Med/Imp.) 1st Brigade: Col. Franklin (+1) 1300 men 5th Mass. Green 11th Mass. Green 1st Minn. Avg. (Vet. Reg.) 1/1st U.S. Art. (Ricketts) Avg. (Vet. Reg.) 3 Sect. 10 lb. Parrotts 2nd Brigade Col. Willcox (+1) 1100 men 11th N.Y. Green 38th N.Y. Green 1st Mich. Avg. (Regular) D/2nd U.S. Art. (Arnold) Avg. (Vet. Reg.) 1 sec. 12 lb. James Rifles 1 sect. 6pdr. Smoothbores CONFEDERATE: ARMY OF THE POTOMAC Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard +3 (Poor/Imp.) Commands all rebel units regardless of army Evans' Brigade: Col. Evans (+1) 900 men 4th S.C. Green Wheat's La. Tigers Avg. (Vet. Reg.) Lynchburg VA Art. (Davidson) Avg. (Reg.): 1 sect. 6pdr. Smoothbores Independent Units (*NOT* brigaded) Hampton's Legion Avg. (Vet. Reg.) 350 men 8th VA (Cocke's Brig.) Green 300 men 49th VA (Cocke's Brig.) Green 250 men Army Of The Shenandoah Gen. J.E. Johnston (off table) Jackson's Brigade: Gen. T.J. Jackson (+2 Superior) 1700 men 2nd VA Average (Reg.) 4th VA Average (Reg.) 5th VA Average (Reg.) 27th VA Average (Reg.) 33rd VA Average (Vet. Reg.) Rockbridge Art. (Pendleton) Avg. (Vet. Reg.) 2 sect. 6 pdr. Smthbrs. Bartow's Brigade: Col. Bartow (+1) 700 men 7th Georgia Green 8th Georgia Green Wise VA Art. (Alburtis) Avg. (Reg.) 2 sect. 6pdr. Smoothbores Bee's Brigade: Gen. Bee (+1) 1000 men Elite 4th Alabama Elite 6th N.C. Avg. (Vet. Reg.) *Remember, this is not set on table at game's start 2nd Miss. Green Staunton VA Art. (Imboden) Avg. (Reg.) 2 sect. 6 pdr. Smoothbores Independent Units (*NOT* Brigaded) 1st VA Cavalry Elite 200 men 4th/Washington Art. (Squires) Avg. (Vet. Reg.) 2 sect. 6pdr. Smoothbores SOURCES My primary sources for this scenario were Scott Bowden's ARMIES AT FIRST MANASSAS; William C. Davis' BATTLE AT BULL RUN; BATTLES AND LEADERS. VOL. I; the OFFICIAL ATLAS, plates 3 and 5; and portions of the OFFICIAL RECORDS. Back to The Zouave Vol IV No. 2 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