Chickamauga, Georgia, (Second Day) September 20 1863 - Battle Cry Game

 

View of the table from the Union right flank

Side view

Union right flank under McCook

Last Tuesday night I went over to Rick's place for a Battle Cry game, the scenario was the second day of Chickamauga. Gary and I were the Confederate commanders, Longstreet in the centre and Polk on the right, under the overall command of Braxton Bragg. Rick commanded the Union forces under Rosecrans. Both sides had five cards, with the Confederates moving first, and six flags required for victory. 

The Confederates had early success attacking on the right flank but the Union forces slowly but surely pegged them back. Most of the fighting was concentrated on the Confederate right flank and centre, with progressively worse cards, making things difficult for both sides. In desperation the Union forces played a Sharp Shooter card to kill Polk and draw the game 5-5. The hard fighting continued and was finally decided in the centre with the Confederates narrowly winning 6-5.

Fighting on the Confederate right flank and centre

Centre decided the game

Confederates just win 6-5

Pea Ridge, Arkansas (Elkhorn Tavern) - March 7, 1862 - Battle Cry Game

 

Initial deployment from the Confederate side

Confederates play a Forced March card 

Confederates attack in the centre and on the left

Union counterattack

Confederate infantry attack on their left flank

Last Tuesday afternoon I went over to Rick's place for another Battle Cry game, the scenario was Pea Ridge, Arkansas (Elkhorn Tavern) March 7, 1862. We diced for sides and I was the Confederates again. This is a tough scenario for the Union forces, they're outnumbered but they got off to a good start and led most of the way in the game. The fighting switched between sectors but the Confederate right flank where the Union forces occupied Pea Ridge was the most contested area. In the end the Confederates were lucky to come from behind to win by the narrowest of margins, 6-5 victory points.

Union cavalry hit and run

Union forces have the advantage

Pressure continues on the Confederate right flank

Union forces retreat

Confederates come from behind to win 6-5

First Bull Run, Virginia, July 21, 1861 - Battle Cry Game

 

Initial deployment from the Confederate side

Confederates play a Forced March card in the centre

Union counterattack

Confederate casualties mount

Confederate advance on the left flank

Confederates attack on the left flank

Union forces retreat

Last Tuesday afternoon I went over to Rick's place and we played an ACW game of Battle Cry. The scenario was the First Bull Run, Virginia, July 21, 1861. We diced for sides and I was the Confederates. Rick bought these very nice painted armies from a guy in the US, they're all Sash and Saber figures. I think the postage on these cost and an arm and a leg, no doubt the armies were expensive too! 

We used the 150th Civil War Anniversary Edition of the Battle Cry rules and while very simple it gave a surprisingly satisfying game with plenty of ebb and flow in fortunes. Rick didn't have any painted Confederate cavalry so we just used two units of Union cavalry for these on the left flank. The Union forces staged a come back late in the game but in the end it was a 6-4 result for the Confederates.

Slogging it out in the centre

Confederate right flank advances

Centre is undecided

Confederate right flank advances

Confederate forces retreat on the left flank

Union forces come back on the Confederate left flank

Their right flank is gone, 6-4 Confederate victory