Battle of Seven Pines

The latest ACW game was a scenario pulled together by Paul and was based on the battle of Seven Pines.

Union forces are commanded by Alan, Dave A, and Nigel) while the Confederates are being played by “Broken Dice” David, Dave B, “Uncle Albert” Julian and me. The rules being used are “Pickett’s Charge”.

The Union were deployed with a forward line defending the fences and a second line defending fieldworks near the redoubt.

Union awaiting the Confederate Advance

The Confederates advance as fast as possible and soon became embroiled in firefights along the line. Early attempts to dislodge the forward defenders failed as the Union forces deployed forward hung on with grim determination.

Confederate advance on the right

On the Confederate left and centre the advance stalled as they tried to dislodge the defenders. The fire could be described as desultory as both sides failed to inflict heavy casualties on the other.

Confederates held on the left and centre

On the right flank Confederate skirmishers had a chance to advance through a gap left as one of the Union units fell back to rejoin the rest of its brigade. This allowed the skirmishers to engage the Union gunners in the redoubt with musket fire.

Advancing on the redoubt

On the left flank the Confederate infantry had managed to flank the forward defenders however even a charge on the flank failed to dislodge them and they continued to hold up the Confederate attack on the main Union defences.

Turning the flank

Reforming the Confederates prepared to launch further charges on the left flank to try and clear the two regiments of infantry holding up three brigades of Confederates.

Still holding

Back to the Confederate skirmishers engaging the Union artillery in the redoubt where they inflicted a “discipline”see the elephant” test on the gunners (a good dice throw from “Broken Dice”) and they retreated leaving the redoubt empty.

Skirmishers rout the gunners

Seeing the opportunity, the skirmishers raced forward and occupied the redoubt much to the shock of the Union infantry surrounding it.

Skirmishers take the redoubt

However as I was advancing to support the skirmishers one of my regiments came under heavy fire, failed the “see the elephant” test and routed from the field.

Routing from fire

The rest of “Broken Dice” brigade managed to rout the Union infantry that was holding them up and was soon advancing to support the skirmishers but was it too little to late? It was at this stage that the skirmishers inflicted another “see the elephant” test on a unit of Union infantry, the infantry failed and also routed.

Advancing to support the skirmishers

Union fire managed to destroy the skirmishers in the redoubt as by now a Union artillery battery had joined in and things were not looking good for the Confederates as time was running out. However the Union did have two “faltering brigade” tests to take due to routing and dispersed units.

Skirmishers destroyed but still leave a mark

The Union took the test and one brigade failed and withdrew falling back to the board edge. The other brigade also failed getting a withdraw result however they had a reroll that they took and instead rolled a 1 and got the “Catawamptiously Ghewed Up!” result with all units in the brigade taking casualties and falling back from their defences.

So from looking like a victory for the Union their centre had suddenly disappeared and victory went to the Confederates. The unit of the match award went to “Broken Dice’s” skirmishers who managed to cause the result before getting wiped out themselves.

Another cracking game and thanks to Alan and Nigel for their appalling dice throwing at the end.

Invasion of New York

Nigel ran a scenario based on the British invasion of New York in the American War of Independence/American Revolution/American Rebellion (depending on your location and world view).

The Americans/Rebels were commanded by “Broken Dice” David and “Uncle Albert” Julian while the British were commanded by Paul and me. Nigel provided the umpiring services/troops (and a very nice lunch).

In the scenario the Americans were deployed in the “tree line” with skirmishers thrown forward while there was a brigade of British (left flank) and a brigade of Hessians (right flank) deployed facing them. Further British reinforcements were scheduled to arrive on the right flank while the American reinforcements would appear on their right flank.

The rules were Black Powder and also used the Rebellion supplement.

Americans awaiting the British advance

The Hessians led the way in the advance and were soon approaching the American skirmish line.

Hessians engage

While the Americans tried to improve their position by turning some troops to face where the expected British reinforcements would be arriving.

Somethings moving on our flank

While the Hessians continued to advance and drive back the skirmishers a 2^nd Hessian Brigade had arrived on the flank and joined in the fun.  The British on the left flank were being slightly “tardier” and holding at the fences (fighting to the last German was mentioned).

Skirmishers being driven back

Further British reinforcements were also arriving and advancing on the Americans.

British reinforcements arrive

The American skirmishers on both flanks were taking heavy casualties and decided that discretion was the better part of valour and soon quit the field.

Skirmishers suffering

Now for a rarity a cavalry charge!!! The British Light Dragoons launched an attack on the American Line facing them. But there was no panic as the closing fire would stop them.

A cavalry charge!!!!

But the cavalry didn’t even have to make a save after a desultory volley from the Americans (I wonder who that was “Broken Dice”). But not to worry we will have them in hand to hand.

So much for closing fire

Nope that didn’t work either and the Americans rout while the Light Dragoons fall back to rally.

And hand to hand didn’t go much better

With fresh support approaching to engage the American left the centre Hessian brigade tries to start turning the flank of the American right flank. However, there is a very stubborn battery of artillery that keeps making its saving rolls and holding them up! This is annoying as the American reserves have finally started to arrive along the road to the rear.

Hessians trying to turn a flank

In the centre it was starting to get a bit messy with the two Hessian brigades trying to drive back the Americans and taking casualties.

It’s all getting a bit messy

On the British right flank the “weight of numbers” had finally cracked the Americans brigade morale and the American reserves had started to form a second line at the road.

Pushing in the American left

On the British right flank additional support had arrived after marching across the battlefield in the form of the Guards brigade and another brigade of British infantry and they soon supported the Hessians in the assault on the American lines.

Americans holding the line

The Americans were now being attacked from all sides and with a couple of brigades shaken were grimly hanging on for night to fall.

Heavy casulaties everywhere

To try and finally dislodge the American defenders the newly arrived brigades of British launched their charges on the American lines.

British charge home

The Americans held (for the most part) but had taken enough damage to shake another brigade.

Americans hold but enough damage done

Time was now up and while the British had not driven the Americans from the field they had done enough for a minor victory. Aided by some poor dice throwing by the Americans trying to get their reinforcement in position and failing in the throws to see if General Washington would arrive on the field.

All in all another cracking game in an oft overlooked period.

Painting Coefficient December 2023

With the end of another 3 months, it is time to look at what I managed to get finished and how the year looked overall.

Punic Wars Republican Roman

The last three months of the year was focused (unusual for me) on getting more of my Republican Romans finished.

First another unit of hastati, principes and triarrii with their supporting velites.

Velites

Total 30

I also did a bit of very simple “kit bashing” with some of the light infantry replacing the javelins with pila to complete “proletarii” or levy hastati to be used in the raw units.

Total 11

Then there were the command figures, standard bearers and musician.

Total 8

Next up we had the Italian Allied Cavalry (which can be used in both the Republican Roman and the Carthaginian armies).

Total 24

Then we had the Roman cavalry proper along with officers

Total 32

Finally some of the Senatorial commanders

Total 8

So what did this mean for the last 3 months

Total Number of figures added = 223 (Oops)

Total Number of figures painted = 113

Overall Coefficient = +110

So what does this mean for the year to date?

Total Figures Painted = 376

Total Figures Added = 577

Overall Coefficient for 2023 = +201 figures.

So after two years of reducing the lead/plastic pile this year I have drastically increased it 😯😟.

Collecting the Tribute

A couple of weeks ago we tried Lion Rampant for the first time and while playing the game the thought struck that these could be used for more ancient games.

A quick search online found “Eagle Rampant” had been done by “natholeon” so a quick download and tinker and we were ready for a game of Imperial Romans and the Ancient British.

Three warbands of British (“Uncle Albert” Julian, Alan and Dave A) versus three Roman warbands (Dave B, Nigel and Paul). The boasts were made and kept secret.

The game was based on the “tax man cometh” from the main rules but there were 10 markers on the board representing tribute from the value of zero to 4 that could be collected. With multiplayer game I used a “random” activation each turn to further the chaos.

The “other” thing carefully explained to the players was this was not a “team” game, it was everyman for himself when it came to victory or defeat!

Loot markers placed 3 either flank and 4 in the village (try to ingnore the xmas jumper!!)

Troops were soon streaming onto the table and heading for the various tribute markers.

Locals arrive

The Brits on the left quickly consult the “wise woman” and grab the tribute.

Grabbing the “tribute” from the local “wise woman”

While on the other flank the Auxiliary Cavalry are skirmishing with the British chariots and light cavalry.

Skirmishing on the British right flank

On the other flank the Roman cavalry also grab some of the tribute before the chariots can get is and throw a few javelins to distract them.

Cavalry beat the Chariots to the tribute

Now to everyone’s surprise the Brits on the left flank start to withdraw away from the advancing legions and then start to sidle towards the centre. What is going on? Well there commander had a “cunning plan” and had taken certain three point boast that meant he had to limit his losses and make sure his warriors didn’t have to make their “wild charge” test (3 of his 4 units were lunatics 😊). So if he could keep the Romans at distance he was on 12 victory points at the moment.

Pulling back!!!!

In the centre the British advanced cautiously towards the village while the Roman Auxiliaries were racing towards the village. The Brits did manage to get to the tribute in the cart.

“Smash and Grab”

fjhfjOne of the boasts taken by the auxiliaries was to conduct a bit of arson and burn down one of the buildings unfortunately for them the first couple of attempts failed and the British warriors were closing in. This also meant that their other boast of inflicting more casualties by shooting than hand to hand was not going to work out so well for them either.fjhfj

“Bit of attempted arson”

Around the village things were getting messy. The Roman cavalry was already carrying some tribute so was trying to decide whether to try and grab some more or avoid the chariots. British warriors were rushing through the village and trying to rip lumps off the auxiliaries.

“Decisions, decisions?”

On the left people were exchanging insults as the British commander contemplated committing his warriors against the Roman legionnaires, however one of “Uncle Albert’s” boasts was that every unit would be involved in combat, so the decision was made. This boast even meant that the bowmen in the wood stood to a charge so they could bloody their swords or at least their daggers!!

Insults exchanged on the right flank

The Brits in the centre were rapidly clearing the Romans from the village with both units of auxiliary infantry pushed out.

Driving the Romans from the village

Now Alan’s plan of keeping his distance from the Romans started to fall apart as Roman Cavalry came within charge distance and his warriors gave chase (wild charge is a pain at times).

“tempted forward”

After clearing the village of Romans the Chariots decided to have a go at the cavalry and they soon joined the Auxiliary Infantry in looking for a new location to ply their trade.

Clash near the village

The Romans commanders on the flanks looked around and asked “what centre” as the Auxiliary command had left the field.

What centre?

Alan’s Brits on the left were all soon racing forward into the massed lines of legionnaires and things did not go well as the Roman defence values beat the better “to hit” values of the Brits.

“and there off”

With time running out the surviving Brits made off with the “tribute” they were carrying and time to add up the victory points.

“off with the loot”

Starting with the Romans the scores were:

Dave B (Auxiliaries)         0 pts

Nigel (Legionnaires)        7 pts

Paul (Legionnaires)         10 pts

For the British the scores were:

Alan (Lunatics)                  0 pts (from 12 pts at lunch)

Dave A (Warriors)            13 pts

“Uncle Albert”                   1 pt

So the clear winner was Dave A who swept around the board hoovering up tribute and stomping on the bodies of Roman Auxiliaries.

And no the Romans cannot claim a victory as they scored more points overall.

The question is did the rules work for a multi-player game and the answer is I think so, people seemed to enjoy it and I think I will have a further tinker with them when I get time and try them again some time in the future.