On to Washington! - Gettysburg part 5

We reassembled for day two of the game and deployed the toys after taking into account the limited movement which had been allowed overnight.

I had taken the opportunity to reinforce the Confederate left flank.  So there we were, poised to assault the strong Yankee position on the ridge.  No pressure then.

However, when we looked up, the enemy were in full flight!  

Hardly daring to believe our luck, a general advance was ordered.

Artillery fire resumed while back in Gettysburg the medical facilities continued their grisly work.

An early Confederate success on day 2 was a hit on an enemy limber.  This exploded, detonating a second limber, disabling two guns and killing their crews!  This seemed to (understandably) lower morale in the Yankee HQ.

Soon Reb troops had crested the ridge and reached the house which had been Meade's HQ...

...only to find that the Bluebelly hooligans had set it alight!

We pressed on (and in the excitement the photography suffered).  Sadly Brian C wasn't able to make day two, but we fully expected him to burst forth from a hiding place in the shed and rescue the Yankee's fortunes!  Happily it wasn't to be...

For form's sake the CSA HQ ordered an infantry assault on the Yankee final position.  This was an unpleasant experience and we decided to keep our distance and pound the enemy into submission with our still plentiful artillery.  It was agreed at this point to pack up.
As we all know, however, Lee was then free to march on a now undefended Washington, arriving just after Lincoln took ship and fled to see refuge in the Old World.  Full recognition of the Confederate States of America soon followed from Great Britain, France, Prussia and of course Forbodia.
An absolutely splendid game, this has given us an appetite for big multi-player games.  I am hoping to run an ACW game in Sheffield next year.  And then there's the Tannenberg idea....

Generals Longstreet and Lee celebrate their victory with some flag waving.

Lee's sunset - Gettysburg part 4

Here are a few photos of the armies' positions as day one of the game drew to a close.  By now, the Reb artillery was still firing but getting perilously low on ammo.  Still, I knew we had a bit more in the supply train which could be allocated overnight so there was no point in conserving it.

The Culp's Hill position - now firmly in Confederate hands.

The Texas Brigade arriving from the direction of Gettysburg

By now it was obvious to all that the main Reb effort was on the left.

The right wing was rather thin - not least because of a tragic

 'grey on grey' incident by one of JH's guns.

Rather then fight us every step of the way the Yankees had gradually

 pulled back to the end of the ridge line around Meade's HQ.

This left the Feds in a strong position which we would have to crack in the

morning, so despite our gains there was still everything to play for.

Part the last coming soon!

Look away, Dixie's Land - Gettysburg part 3

We now return to the fun (after tea and cake...) as the heroic Rebs have cleared half of the wood on Culp's Hill. 

On the Reb left, the coloured regiment (painted, it will be remembered by me) clashed with...

...my own regiment of Rebs!  Happily my chaps had the better of the encounter!

Much to our delight the Yankees seemed to be on the run - pulling back to consolidate their position on the ridge, anchored on Meade's HQ.

By now my second brigade was on the move and swinging round the flank.

Fron the Yank's point of view they seemed to have a pretty secure position.

With thick lines of troops everywhere!

It's almost as if Meade was worried about housebreakers.

My brave Rebs - though depleted in number - surge forward.

By late afternoon I had secured the Culp's Hill position.

A typical scene in the Federal lines.  Jack hard at work moving toys, Paul the umpire keeping an eye on him while Brian (left) stands around watching.

General Longstreet enters into the spirit of things..

And now......I must report the tragic loss of Mat Bradic the Forbodian reporter and photographer.  Deliberately targeted by Yankee gunners, Mr Bradic's demise was witnessed by the Confederate staff and visiting British Army observer Capt. Widdrington.  News of this most horrific atrocity has already been conveyed to Europe and that continent will no doubt soon be ablaze with anti-Yankee indignation!

As Mr Bradic's final moments once more run through my mind I find I am too upset to continue for the moment.  I will return to the battle report soon and we shall see if justice prevails!

Pickett's Feint - Gettysburg part 2

The Confederate I Corps HQ.  From L to R, a Tradition cavalry officer, General Pickett (another Tradition casting) and Col. J Robertson (a plastic multipart Britains figure).  More on these chaps in a forthcoming post.  They are accompanied by A British observer, Capt. Widdrington.

A degree of hidden setup was allowed and this permitted the wily Confederates to indicate that the main effort was to be against the southwest of the Federal position (Round Top etc), by planting a number of CSA flags in the woods west of the Emmitsburg Road.  There are loads of maps on the interwebnet - you may wish to refer to this one: map. The main effort, however, was to be made in the north, with Longstreet occupying the Yanks' attention from Seminary Ridge while Pickett was to advance on Culp's Hill and try to flank the position to the east.  So much for cunning plans!

Above: Longstreet's troops prepare to advance while his guns pound the US positions.

A CS brigade on the move.

Culp's Hill looked like a strong position to assault!

Longstreet's forces all ready to roll.

Pickett's chaps put on a good show...

...not least for the benefit of the world's press.  

Well for visiting Forbodian photographer Mat Bradic.

Reb troops were soon on the way up Culp's Hill.  Most of my photos were taken from this location

 - it was a sufficiently busy game that I had little opportunity to roam the battlefield!

Confederate limbers were kept well spaced in case of incoming fire!

As Reb infantry closed on the Culp's position....

...one of the defending Yankee regiments was driven off.

Once the Yanks had realised the 'attack' in the south was a bluff, the remaining 

Confederate forces soon appeared from the direction of Gettysburg.

As my own freshly painted Reb regiment approached the wood it was 

engaged by my only slightly older US regiment!

Just when it looked as if we'd carry the Culp's Hill position the 

Yankees poured in reinforcements.  What would happen next?

The Armies Muster - Gettysburg part 1

This even handed and completely unbiased report - which will run to 5 parts - is about a Funny Little Wars game based on a scaled down version of Gettysburg.  It was run by PW and took place in his garden at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, where he is Chaplain.  Pictured above is Meade's HQ and a brigade of Union troops.
Players were:
In the Blue corner the damn Yankee bluebellies - Anthony M (General Meade), Jack W and Brian C.
In the Grey corner the heroes of the Confederacy and champions of states' rights - John H as General Longstreet and your humble correspondent as General Robert. E. Lee.
Mr PW and Mr C provided most of the figures, with smaller contingents provided by Mr M and myself.

 Sorting out the toys before the battle!

 Part of my own meagre contribution - a Reb regiment together with artillery and my HQ.  

The British observer - one Captain Widdrington - can also be seen.

 My supply train and ambulance wagon.

 The US regiment I brought along was the subject of a previous post.

 

 The peaceful(?) town of Gettysburg.  

The railway terminated here, but for which side would this be the end of the line?

Part of my ghastly plastic 'wild west' train.  Bought for £10 in a charity shop.

Coming next - the opening moves.