BACKROUND
On the morning of Sunday April 6, 1862 thousands of gray clad troops, many entering battle for the first time, advanced on a complacent Federal encampment in one of the greatest surprise attacks in military history was about to begin. The Battle of Shiloh, or Pittsburg Landing, in Tennessee was an opportunity for the South to stem the rising tide of Federal invasion in the western theatre, the result of which, if successful on the Union part, would mean economic and military disaster for the young Confederacy.
The first shots fired in this two day affair, which would claim some 23,746 casualties, were between a patrol from Peabody's Union brigade and skirmishers of Wood's rebel brigade. Eventually, Brigadier General B.M. Prentiss, commanding the Union 6th Division, became aware that the attack was a serious Confederate offensive and not just desultory skirmishing. All haste was then made to form a presentable line of battle before the full weight of the Rebel advance hit home.
NOTES
This scenario deals with the opening phase of the battle of Shiloh and the assault of Prentiss division in particular. It starts at 6:45 a.m. (Turn 1) after the initial skirmishing, as Colonel Everett Peabody tries to maintain a line against mounting Confederate pressure and Millers brigade begins to wake up to the threat. The 15th Michigan arrived to bolster the Union line, but marched without ammunition. In reality, the regiment withdrew back to the landing. For game purposes, the Union player may wish to keep a reserve for counter attacks. Apart from the three Federal regiments with Peabody, all of the rest remain in their positions disordered until 7:30 a.m. (Turn 3).
An alternative to make a degree of uncertainty would be obtained by rolling a die for each of these units on turns 2 and 3 (a 6 on Turn 2 activates the unit, while a 5 or 6 activates on Turn 3). Regardless of method used, all units may form up after the fourth turn. Unit strengths are rather large for this action, with many regiments averaging around 600 men. I would therefore recommend dropping the numbers proportionally if your regiments do not come up to par. All units except the artillery are Green. The artillery and all officers are Average except for Peabody, who is above Average. Despite Prentiss' coolness during the later Hornet's Nest fighting, he was caught off balance at this juncture, so does not rate any extra benefits for divisional command.
The game ends at 9:15 a.m. (Turn 10). The 11th Illinois cavalry were attached to Prentiss' division, but I cannot find any mention of them or their campsite during the action. Perhaps being cavalry, they were bivouacked at Headquarters. If so, and if you want to use them, their location would have been between Munch and Hickenlooper. The regiment was 600 strong and armed with carbines. Another addition to make the game more 'playable could be the 53rd Ohio. This regiment was originally pushed northwest by the fighting, with its camp lying just to the north in the field behind Peabody. It also numbered 600 men, all armed with rifled muskets.
VICTORY CONDITIONS
The Confederates have to inflict at least a 60% loss on the Federals. The Union player must maintain a coherent defense until the last turn.
TERRAIN
Without a doubt, this is difficult ground. The only open areas are in the fields and on the roads/trails. The rest is covered by light woods. The creeks are numerous and count as Broken, their banks extending for 1 inch on either side, such counting as Rough terrain.
DEPLOYMENT
Colonel Peabody and three of his regiments line the creek, while the 16th Wisconsin, along with the other Union regiments are in their bivouack areas. Hickenlooper's and Munch's batteries are unliimbered behind Miller's brigade. The 15th Michigan arrives on Turn 5 at Point -A-. For the Confederates, Shaver and Wood are already deployed. Gladden's and Robertson's artillery arrive at -B- on turns 5 and 7 respectively. Chalmers arrives at Point-C- on Turn 7. Prentiss musters with Miller.
A BIT OF TRIVIA
The man who uttered the famous words, "Dr. Livingstone, I presume", Henry Morton Stanley, served in this battle with the 6th Arkansas, was captured, and later changed sides.
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