Last night the Corlears Hook Fencibles played a game of the battle of Shiloh using the Bloody Big Battles rules. It was our second outing, after a lengthy hiatus. Rick and Bill commanded the Confederates while I headed the Union. Bill hadn't played since early February so this was a reintroduction to the rules.
I made a mat for the battle, inspired by Glenn Kidd's mat as seen on TMP. I id make a mistake and deployed the confederates 6" from the southern table edge instead of 12" in as they should have had from my deployment option. This was an error in my favor. More on that later. Rick commanded the rebel right, with Bragg and Breckinridge. Bill commanded the left, with Hardee and Polk.
On the first turn Hardee's bayonet charge was stopped by rifle fire from Sherman. Both sides rolled high, each killing a stand and running low on ammo. Polk moved slowly and didn't get within rifle range of Prentiss.
Hardee then charged and drove Sherman back a short way. Sherman's artillery had not bothered to unlimber. Presented with enemy infantry at close range, they made a rapid move to the rear.
Bragg's troops closed on Prentiss and shot the division apart.
Ruggles charged and knocked out Prentiss but then stayed for a turn or two looting the Union division's camp. Meanwhile Sherman was knocked back with losses by Hardee, although this finally allowed him to disengage. After a few more turn his shot-up division wasn't looking so bad compared to the others.
Withers passed through and headed for the flank of the Hornet's Nest.
Confederate artillery rolled to the edge of Duncan field and were knocked about by Union artillery in the Hornet's nest. Afer this display, the Confederates steered clear of the field for some turns.
The Union line to the left of the Hornet's Nest came under heavy pressure and started to unravel. Confederate artillery began massing against the left part of the nest and kept killing bases from Hurlbut's division.
Polk took some time getting up to McClernand. Initial bayonet attacks were stopped by withering rifle fire.
On the eastern flank Stuart's brigade was routed. Ruggles then lost control of his troops as they looted a second Union camp. This went on for a few turns, much to Rick's chagrin.
On turn 7 the Hornet's Nest position collapsed. Hurlbut was wiped out, Stuart routed and Sweeney's tattered remains went back to Pittsburg Landing at high speed. McClernand got a full move and broke contact, refilling his cartridge boxes.
All of the Union artillery was pulled back and began forming a gun line atr the edge of the clearing around Pittsburg Landing. We finally had a turn without any firing as all my troops were beyond the 3" visibility range in the woods. The rebels had two more turns to take Pittsburg Landing and victory. With the Confederates in some confusion and some looting of Union camps, they chose to just reorganize. The last couple turns were quiet.
Union losses had been astounding, 17 infantry bases. The Confederates had lost 4. We played the night turn. Buell and Lew Wallace appeared. The Confederates managed to reclaim two of their missing bases. I got none. But with the reinforcements the Union had more troops than the rebels. We considered playing the second day next week, although it looked like a long shot for the Union to get to Shiloh Church in 5 turns.
When last we played this the Hornet's Nest had collapsed on turn 7, but both side's losses were around 12 bases and some Union guns had been overrun.
This morning I realized they had been robbed of 6" on their deployment. In a rugged field with movement so problematic this was an unfair handicap. I've offered the guys a rematch with the deployment corrected. If they don't want to do that we may change gears and play Maida 1806 next week. Stay tuned.
looks at some new terrain products, which use space age technology!
