Resaca is a big ACW battle that doesn't seem to get much attention from wargamers. Why is that?
- Not quite bloody enough? It can't just be that – smaller battles with smaller casualty lists get plenty of play.
- Perceived as just a dull frontal assault against earthworks? Seems unfair. After all, the Confederate defenders conducted attacks of their own with Hood's corps on both days.
- Changed nothing? That's probably it. But could it have?
I explored it by writing a scenario for it that we fought this week. It was only after the event that I realised it is very much like an inverted Gettysburg, with the Confederates playing the part of the defender. For Cemetery Hill, read the Four-Gun Battery; for the Round Tops, read the hills just west of Resaca; for East Field, read Lay's Ferry; etc, etc.
It produced a surprisingly good game in which all four players got to manoeuvre and conduct assaults. And it wasn't too far off the history, either. If you're interested in seeing a photo-AAR, look here:
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