""Out of the box" "Big Skirmish" rules for the ACW" Topic

Ok, I know that there is quite a few threads on ACW skirmish rules, but I'm asking for suggestions of rules for other periods that will work well for the ACW.
For example, I have seen and am toying with the idea of using Muskets and Tomahawks, and have seen people use TSATF, and I know that people use Bolt Action for a zillion different periods. (I don't like BA's melee rules or i would be considering it.) I'm looking for a set that would be about "Platoon" sized i.e. 20-100 figures with, perhaps, non complicated rules for formations, and a set that i can make more "Cinematic" and story oriented with some flavor. I'm not objectionable to more "Hollywood" style sets.
Anyone have some suggestions?
thanks
~Joe

GASLIGHT works great for straight-up historical ACW

The free Basic Starter Rules can be found on the website:
link

I was going to say Brother Against Brother as an alternative but since you said "Hollywood" I will second GASLIGHT. It excels as a high action/cinematic rules set.

GASLIGHT ROCKS!

If you want "Hollywood" style gaming and have played "The Sword and the Flame" then may I recommend "The Sword and Secession." I helped develop the rules and they will give you a nice size skirmish game.

sergeants3.com/18.html (scroll to bottom of page 3 and ignore the picture of TSATF rule book)

Here is a battle report from the development process:

link

Jim

I think you should try Smooth & Rifled. You can use just a dozen miniatures in a 1:1 scenario, but it works better when each player has a platoon plus 1-2 small detachments of other units.

link
link

Sharp Practice from TFL link works well with up to 100 figures. You can jazz up the card decks to make it as cinematic as you like. There is an ACW variant called "Terrible Sharp Sword". You need Sharp Practice too.

It is fairly simple. Units tend not to be very heroic after taking a bit of fire, though through "heroic leader" cards you can get leaders to do insane stuff.

I would second Smooth & Rifled but also throw State of War into the mix, available for free from here:
link

I was more wondering along the lines of sets that aren't intended for the period. I've got to pick up smooth and rifled, but besides that i own the rest!
Thanks guys
Joe

SAGA?

Hmm, you sit right in what I would call the "Overlap" between the Two Hour War games free sets of Chain Reaction link and Swordplay link (which has firearms included.)

Also you might consider adapting one of these – THW's 95th Rifles, link or Long Rifle link or Six Gun Sound link which woud be mostly pruning out what was not wanted.

Terrible Sharp Sword: ACW version of Sharp Practice from TooFatLardies.
Also has a couple of excellent scenario supplements.

Terrible Sharp Sword, seconded here.

TSATF or Gaslight fits the bill perfectly.

If you want "Hollywood," then you want American UnCivil War from Architects of War.

link

'61-'65 by Ganesha games is aimed specifically at this levelof command.

Speaking of ACW skirmishes, does anyone have a good source on skirmish tactics and practices for the period? The stuff I've found all talks about what was in the manuals at the time and I've looked at Hardee's Tactics and such, but I'm looking for a source that covers what the actual battlefield realities were during the war. In other words, I know what the manuals say to do, but what was actually done in the heat of battle?

Terrible Sharp Sword has a campaign system as well as the rules. That adds something to our games.