Friday evening provided an opportunity to deploy our 6mm miniatures for a multiplayer game using Volley & Bayonet. As is often the case the scenario was developed using the Road to Glory system and was set in 1864. On this occasion we used armies of around 3,000 points.
As Meade pushed across the Rapidan River, as determined by Grant, two Union corps formed the Union army right flank and faced west, while the other Union corps faced south. Lee now delivered a limited attack with six divisions on the two corps that formed the flank guard of the Union army. Interestingly the attacking Rebel divisions that advanced were flush with cannon.
Lee’s plan was simple. McClaw’s Division, from Longstreet’s Corps, would demonstrate opposite the Union right, near the Rapidan River crossings, while the main attack would be against the Union left.
As Union forces were far from concentrated three Rebel Divisions would initially focus on the Union left. The Rebel divisions were those of Early, Johnson, and Field. All these divisions were considerably larger than the Union divisions. Almost immediately Hampton and Rhodes would add their divisions to the attack. The situation was worsening for Meade at an alarming rate.
Above, a portion of the Rebel attack against the Union left.
As Rebel guns engaged the Union left the demonstration against the Union right proceeded. Below, McLaw’s Division, visible across the stream advances against the Union right, held by just two Union brigades initially.
From Meade’s perspective his left, that furthest from the Rapidan, was held by the two divisions from Hancock’s II Corps and his right by two divisions from Warren’s V Corps. Realising the focus of the Rebel advance one of Warren’s Divisions moved, with urgency, to the Union left.
Above, the Union left, now extended by Robinson’s Division.
These divisions were would eventually be reinforced but the first of these reinforcements would only arrive after combat had been raging for three hours.
While Meade came to grips with the situation Lee, seizing the initiative, moved Hampton’s Cavalry to the right using the Germanna Road to speed their movement. Here they potentially threatened the Union left.
Above, a general view of the Union left. A portion of Hampton’s cavalry can be seen on the extreme left.
Despite his initial superiority, and lighting movement of Hampton, Lee now seemed cautious. Rather than attack he massed his artillery to fire at perceived vulnerable points of the Union line. Meade was a relieved, the pause provided valuable time to reinforce his position.
Yet the Rebel cannonade was relentless forcing the Union line to retire and reform repeatedly. No sooner had a new line formed it would come came under pressure again.
In an effort to counter the Rebel artillery Meade formed his own grand battery as various batteries deployed. Now the Union artillery, and in particular the massed 12 pounder Napoleons, overwhelmed the Rebel artillery forcing it to retire.
Above, the Rebel artillery, having suffered heavy casualties begins to retire. The Union artillery now switches from counter battery fire to causing discomfort among the Rebel infantry.
Late in the day, after seven hours of combat, a final Rebel push caused disorder on the Union left. In part this attack was precipitated by the poorly deployed 2nd Brigade of Barlow’s Division.
Above, the Rebels press the Union line, visible in the centre. The Union brigade commander had deployed his brigade poorly and the subsequent Rebel attack broke the brigade and caused chaos in the Union lines. Below, additional Confederate brigades surge forward.
As dusk enveloped the field both Barlow and Gibbon’s Divisions were exhausted. Yet from a Rebel perspective their casualties were also high, though spread across multiple divisions. Of the six Rebel Divisions engaged only Johnson’s Division was near exhaustion, having lost Jones’ and Steuart’s Brigades.
Another fascinating game with unusually artillery taking on a significant role in the engagement. The miniatures here are all from Heroics & Ros ACW range and are from my own collection. They are based using half scale where 1” represents 200 yards and each infantry base measures 1.5" square.
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