Photograph Headline taken from The Richmond Gazette;
Our 'Boys' rout Unionist as they Advance on Wrightsville to cross the mighty Susquehanna River!
For our first Monday night group get together since the relaxed Covid19 restrictions came into force we played a 61-65 skirmish game...
Late June 1863 the Southern Boys of Major General Early’s Division of the Army of Northern Virginia advanced through York towards Wrightsville with the intention of securing the bridge located there to enable a crossing of the mighty Susquehanna River! Hastily organised Federal Forces were organised to face the Confederate invaders and clashes occurred!
At one small but steeply banked stream north east of York soldiers from both the North and the South searched for a suitable place to cross. With the hot afternoon sun beating down on the men clad in blue and grey a small footbridge with nearby fords was discovered and spot quickly became the focal point of their attention. It was not long before shouting and the crack of gunfire broke the serenity of that fateful summers’ day...
A deja veux moment...yep this is a replay of my solo lock down game from a few weeks ago but with more than one person! I took up command of the Southerners with Maurice advising me and Dave and Fred (previously known as George) took control of the Northerners!
The scenario details are in the last post so straight into the AAR!
- The Confederate plan was to turn the Union right and descend on the bridge from 2 directions, 6 of their units were deployed to their centre and right and 2 units were placed on the left. The Union plan was to advance on a broad front and 2 of their 8 units were to launch a right hook to turn the Southerners flank and divert their forces from the bridge.
The battlefield, the Union was to enter from the left of the picture and the Confederates from the right. The Confederates won the initiative!
- Turns 1, 2 and 3 saw both sides plod forward through the fields and orchards while the fleet footed skirmishers raced forward and commenced harassing fire on their opponents, the Southerners got the better of these initial shootouts!
Turn 2 saw Southern skirmishers on the bridge facing off against a force of gaily clad Zouaves!
The Confederate skirmishers fire was hot and several Zouaves were shaken, these can be identified as they face to the rear of the unit they are in.
The Confederate Leader in the centre urged 'his boys' on during the initial turns!
- Turn 4 saw the Union centre halted in front of the bridge and deploying to the left of it along the stream. Their skirmishers occupied the barn and their troops to the right of the bridge advanced slowly. The Confederates too moved up to the stream while their skirmishers continued to harry the Yankees, their flanking units found it difficult going in the orchard!
The centre of the battlefield at the end of turn from the Union view...
The Union left one Unit lined up on the stream bank while their support Unit can be seen struggling through the corn! On the opposite side of the stream 3 Confederate Units can be seen deployed in line.
Overall view at the end of Turn 4, Southerners can be seen crossing the stream in the foreground while at the top of the picture Union skirmishers can be seen on the Confederate left.
- Turn 5 and the Confederate skirmishers were driven from the bridge while Yankee skirmishers stalled the Confederates crossing the stream on their left. In the centre the first major casualties were inflicted as well drilled Rebels firing in rotation caused 75% casualties one Yankee unit breaking it! The Union's flanking attack continued to develop.
Yankees crossing the stream as fast as they their legs could carry them!
Union Skirmishers inflict losses on the Rebel flank move and hold them at the ford...
Crashing volleys were unleashed on the Yankees across the stream by Rebels, silver disks mark where men 'fell'...
The Union Commander with his central position threatened by Southern fire moved into the cornfield, I know Unit Standards would rarely be part of a Company level skirmish but they look so good on the table they just have to be included!
Overall view at the end of Turn 5 note the Yankee Unit that was just to the left of the bridge deployed along the stream is now 'gone' blown into oblivion by Rebel fire. Also the Zouaves by the bridge moved to their right leaving the crossing unguarded...
- Turns 6 and 7 saw both sides flank attacks finally begin to advance across the stream and in the centre in a coup d'etat a Southern Unit deployed back into column and rushed across the bridge! In the continuing firefight across the stream the Confederates were still getting the better of it. The Union losses were mounting at an alarming rate, they were more than twice that of the Confederates!
In the foreground Rebels can be seen manoeuvring into position on the Union side of the stream!
Union Sergeant Albert Spears waving the Company Guidon rallies his men and spurs them into action!
The Confederate right was across the river and faced only by a few skirmishers skulking in the corn! More Yankees lurked behind them though!
Despite the Union right hook gaining momentum and putting pressure on the Rebels they faced the Confederate Command held firm reinforcing their successes at the bridge and on their right leaving a screen to face the threat.
- Turn 8 and the Southerners charge across the bridge failed to get started due to command issues. The Yankee right hook tried but were unable to engage the Rebels they faced while some Zouaves on the Union left charged the Confederate flanking force in an unsuccessful attempt to stop their momentum! Along the rest of the line the desultory fire continued to cause casualties!
At the Bridge a full strength rebel unit faced an unsteady Yankee one! This could be where the battle was decided but the Southerners failed all 3 of their action attempts...the attack stalled!
On the Union left Zouaves got into close combat with the Confederates and they were soundly defeated! They retired back into the cornfields...
A final lunge by the Yankee flank attack just couldn't reach the Southerners line!
- With the first actions in turn 9 the Confederates resorted to volley fire along the line as they only needed to hit a single Yankee to clinch a win! On their third attempt they were successful hitting a Union Private near the barn! A Southern Victory. YeeHaw!
The great skedaddle begins! With their morale broken the Union centre begins to retire!
A final cheer from the Southern Commander as he sees the Yankees break!
Final positions Confederate left/Union right...
Final positions Confederate right/Union left...
A great victory for the Confederacy as they secured the vital footbridge!
Victory Points;
The USA required 28 and the Confederates required 30
4 VP's were awarded for taking out the enemy Commander
2 VP's were awarded for each enemy Leader casualty
1 VP was awarded for each enemy 'grunt' knocked out
5 VP were awarded to the side in possession of the bridge
The USA required 28 and the Confederates required 30
4 VP's were awarded for taking out the enemy Commander
2 VP's were awarded for each enemy Leader casualty
1 VP was awarded for each enemy 'grunt' knocked out
5 VP were awarded to the side in possession of the bridge
CSA; 30 points (25 infantry casualties inflicted and the 5 Point Bridge possession bonus)
USA; 12 points (12 infantry casualties inflicted)
The debrief was interesting and each sides tactics were dissected, the rules again got the thumbs up and as usual gave us a tense game with a result in a timely manner. In the end the Union Commanders vowed revenge next time we roll out the 61-65 rules!
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