Song of Drums and Kepis AAR - Assault the Farm Scenario

Last Monday we continued the ACW theme with another skirmish game using the Song of Drums and Kepis Rules.  We picked the Assault the Farm Scenario and followed up the topic of our first game. Again we join Ewell's Corps in the summer of 1863 as they continue their advance north to the Susquehanna River. Our forces also carried over, the Union Conscripts and Militia received a few reinforcement and remained under the command of Master Sergeant O'Higgins whilst the severely depleted Southerners were bolstered by more men from their Company and were led by a new Officer, Lieutenant Haggerty.

The Rebels 'Take the Bridge...'!

The Forces

USA

1 x NCO with Rifle and Revolver

1 x Veteran Marksman with Rifle

10 x Conscripts with Rifles

3 x Militiamen with Rifles

CSA

1 x Officer with Revolver and Sword

8 x Veterans with rifles

4x Veterans with Muskets

The Game

The Union played a delaying strategy believing the Rebs would come straight down the road and across the bridge, also a couple of privates were dispatched across the ford to threaten the Southerners flank but they held their nerve and kept together and pressed their attack! The Confederates planned to capture the bridge destroy the isolated Yankees in the open then assault the farm!

For a couple of turns the Yankee skirmishers held the Confederates on the bridge and that proved to be crucial for the game, it allowed the Union Marksman time to inflict three important casualties on the Rebs unfortunately he was wounded and taken out of action seeking a fourth hit! At this point the three surviving Union skirmishers ran for the farm and the two privates feigning an attack on the Rebs flank also returned to the defensive position.

The Yanks appeared to have the advantage being in cover and more men but a gratuitous kill from a Reb hit sent several conscripts fleeing. Taking this opportunity the Rebs pressed the defender, but just a few good shots from the Farm's defenders inflicted just enough losses on the Southerners to break them!

A Northern Victory, but only just!

Some Pictures

Yankee skirmishers try to delay the Rebs giving their marksman targets!

The Rebs pressed the attack across the bridge, eventually pushing the Union troops back but losing three men to only two Yanks

O'Higgins dispatched two privates to feign an attack on the Rebs flank...they were too clever and didn't fall for the bait!

The Union Marksman on the left was able to hit three Rebs whilst they were held up on the distant bridge!

Lieutenant Haggerty directed his men's fire and a few volleys later the Union marksman was silenced!

The defence of the farm in the balance, four conscripts can be seen running after one of their number was hit in the head by a Reb Minnie Ball! Two Yanks fled entirely from the board due to seeing their fellows fall in action!

Th Confederates final push on the farm!

Get at 'em boys!

The Union conscripts rally!

The Union fire tells as Reb casualties mount and they break off the attack...

The battlefield at games end...

After Game Stuff

Well this was one of the closest results we've seen for quite a while, for a couple of turns both sides were only one or two casualties from breaking, luck went with the Union on this occasion! The Song of... series of rules is universally liked by TSOG!

Next fortnight we are keeping in theme with the season playing a Biblical game!