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"PWC: Battle of Johnson Pass (Dispatch)" Topic


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DinOfBattle212 Feb 2009 8:09 a.m. PST

Chicago Tribune Headlines …

Disaster in Johnson Pass!!!
Nation Shocked at Another Defeat at the Hands of the Indians!
Doubleday Barely Escapes With His Life!
Sheridan Enraged!
Will there be a New Commander for the 7th?


July 18th, 1876 – Somewhere close to Hell – Nearly half of Doubleday's command has been lost in the dusty Johnson Pass. Troopers have been streaming into the aid station all day with horrific wounds and stories that would churn your stomach. Many blamed the fatigue of the march and lack of proper food, others the terrain, and some … their commander. "This isn't the Civil War", said Doubleday while bent over a barrel as a surgeon was removing an arrowhead from his posterior. "Those bastards don't stand still!" This reporter doubts whether this column will be able mount any offensive operations without serious reinforcements. The public is beginning to question the competence of the Cavalry's regimental commanders.

(Note – I'm taking the next mule train out of here!)

=====================================

I took a ton of photos. I will update my website with pictures of the battle. Just give me a couple of days. If you want photos before that, please email me.


EBurgess@Carolina.rr.com
link

John Leahy Sponsoring Member of TMP12 Feb 2009 12:29 p.m. PST

See, I warned the Cavalry that they might be in serious trouble. Dang Injuns! :-D Looking forward to seeing the pics.

Thanks,

John

DinOfBattle212 Feb 2009 1:35 p.m. PST

The cavalry made several mistakes, combined with poor die rolling, really put them in a bind. The pictures tell the whole truth. I'll send you a couple soon.

This is the third devastating defeat of the cavalry in the campaign. Maybe by the end they will know how to handle the Indians.

Eric

Custer7thcav12 Feb 2009 1:59 p.m. PST

Hi Eric,

The campaign sounds great. I am planning something similar in the future with my 54mm figs.

If you could send me some of the pics as well, I would appreciate it. (John Leahy kindly sent me some from your previous battles).

my email is custer7thcav@comcast.net

Thanks!

Albert

DinOfBattle212 Feb 2009 2:28 p.m. PST

Will do Albert. Look for them either tonight or tomorrow.

John Leahy Sponsoring Member of TMP12 Feb 2009 9:12 p.m. PST

Well, I mean come on. He has a handle that I couldn't refuse to acknowledge his interest in a Pony Wars game!
:-D

Thanks,

John

Custer7thcav12 Feb 2009 10:43 p.m. PST

wonderful pics--thanks!

Looking forward to seeing the full report on your website.

John Leahy Sponsoring Member of TMP13 Feb 2009 6:19 a.m. PST

Well, based on what I could see in the pics the Cavalry was deployed in seperate zones and the troops could not mutually support each other.

Thanks for the pics!

John

DinOfBattle213 Feb 2009 10:01 a.m. PST

The cavalry was deployed fairly close to each other, but a CLASS III woods (where the Crow Allies were hiding) seperated them so they couldn't give mutual support. Cav command said he would have setup differently if he played it again.

It didn't help that his die rolling was terrible.

Eric

jackson119 Feb 2009 8:19 a.m. PST

Eric,
You are clearly selling short the brilliant battle plan and leadership of the Hunkpapa war chief!

To those following this campaign with interest, Eric has done a fantastic job in putting everything together. Take advantage of his materials because this campaign has unlimited replayability. The Indians are certainly getting the best of the cavalry this time, but with different decisions and a twists of fate it could easily go hard in the other direction the next time played.

Atomic Floozy19 Feb 2009 11:58 a.m. PST

Sounds like it is time for Sheridan replace the current commanders with MacKenzie & Miles. ;-)

DinOfBattle219 Feb 2009 1:43 p.m. PST

Well, MacKenzie was killed at the Battle of Bison Valley earlier in the campaign. :-)

I don't think Miles wants any part of this current campaign.

Eric

John Leahy Sponsoring Member of TMP19 Feb 2009 8:53 p.m. PST

Well, Miles keeps mumbling about if they'd just pay attention to what I did in the Red River War!

:-D

John

Atomic Floozy19 Feb 2009 10:37 p.m. PST

Exactly, Miles & MacKenzie repeated what they did in the Red River War with great success in the Sioux War.

M C MonkeyDew20 Feb 2009 6:45 a.m. PST

I'm not so sure. Neither Miles nor MacKenzie ever had to deal with the number warriors that Crook and Custer had too.

MacKenzie's more measured approach would have preserved his force while allowing the hostiles to escape. No canyon to box them into as in Palo Duro and the warriors were home unlike his campaign against the Kickapoo and Lipans.

Miles' approach also worked well with smaller bands of enemy.

Once the big village broke up after the LBH any of the US commanders were cabable of dealing with the smaller villages.

Bob

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