"Can you suggest an ACW game / rule set?" Topic

I might have a chance to teach some kids an ACW battle game. Normally I might try Battle Cry and use my Hexon terrain and 15mm figures.

But I'm looking for something a little more true to the history.

Needs to play fast (90 minutes) and be suitable for middle schoolers.

I am mainly interested in giving the kids tough decisions to make. not necessarily a complex combat puzzle to solve, (if that makes sense?).

Open to hexed, squares, area movement or rulers….

Altar of Freedom or Fire and Fury

These are more toward a 4 hour session. Altar of Freedom is probably the quicker to teach, though I've had 4th and 5th graders on there own in 2-3 turns with Fire and Fury

if you can get hold of one:
link

Lots of battles in the series.

Mr. Lincoln's War

Simple regimental scale rules.

Fire & Fury is not hard to figure out – Black Powder even more so

Black Powder. I was skeptical but played a few games and found it worked decent enough using suggestions from the Glory Hallelujah supplement.

Rebels and Patriots by Osprey. Easy to set up, quick to play.

I've played Fire & Fury as well as Black POwder. Rules are okay but games in my experience run 2-3 hours minimum…not sure about Lincoln's War.

Rebels & Patriots could work – certainly meets the 90 minute requirement.

Middle-schoolers don't want something more true to history. They will love Battle Cry and, given your time constraints, you don't have many options. You could also go with blue and gray 1/72 or 1/32 plastics and buckets of 6 sided dice.

Mr. Lincoln's War

Mark, do you have the new 2nd edition of our Gettysburg Soldiers ACW Rules? It has enhanced photos and graphics. Also versions to game AWI and the Battle of the Alamo.

TMP link

If your object is to be true to the history of a particular battle, and in general to educate the kids while they're being entertained as well, perhaps you could use Battle Cry with "stacked decks". Create unique decks for each side and don't shuffle, but instead try to give each sides' commanders the sorts of options and decision-space that the historical commander had, in the approximate temporal order that they occurred. For example, if the historic commander didn't hear about a threat to his left until the afternoon, give him only one or two "order x units on the left" cards until the deck is halfway exhausted.

If the students learn the lesson that leaders don't have the luxury of choosing from all theoretical courses of action, but rather choose from the best options presented at the time under conditions of extreme limited information, they will have learned a valuable lesson about history – and real life!

I'll also recommend Mr. Lincoln's War.

Junior General is always fun and interesting. There are 4 ACW land battle scenarios:
link

I have been running Volley and Bayonet (1st Bull Run) for 8th graders in history class for the last 8 years (missed a couple because of Covid). Usually we finish 10-12 turns in 90 minutes. In fact, I'm going in tomorrow to do it again.

@Eumulus: Good point. That's an interesting idea…maybe even custom cards….

@79thPA The time is a big issue which is why I was thinking more boardgame.

@Larry: Yup – my old club uses them and love them.

I may need to take a look at some of the 1 Hour Wargame options, or I might tweak the DBA variant….

I used Fistful of Lead: Big Battles from Wiley Games.
Very easy to set-up and play. It even includes some ACW profiles in the book.

link

From Shakos to Coal Scuttles could fit your needs. There's a few topics on them on TMP you can check out, we're just testing them out and they fit our needs for short evening gaming sessions with some feel of the period.
Our groups initial thoughts;
link
Wargames Vault link;
link
Cheers!

I second Junior General. Its already designed for this age group and time frame, and field tested in classrooms. Its a purpose designed teaching tool.

I think Battle Cry is your best bet for middle schoolers. I've attempted to run game clubs at our school. Simpler is definitely better. Wings of War was my groups favorite. Our Friday night group is focusing on Pickett's Chsrge.

I play "Johnny Reb" for tactical games and "Fire & fury" for larger games.