Sunday, December 2, 2018

ACW McPherson's Ridge AAR

As I mentioned yesterday, I hosted an ACW game today using This Hallowed Ground.  Roy Scaife and Adrian Turner joined me for a fun filled day of gaming and cursing our dice!

We (re)fought my McPherson's Ridge scenario that covers the first day of Gettysburg - specifically around the holding action by Buford's cavalry against increasingly overwhelming odds and the subsequent arrival of elements of 1st Corps to attempt to hold good ground around the town of Gettysburg.

Scenario link:  http://jayswargamingmadness.blogspot.com/2017/01/acw-scenario-mcphersons-ridge.html

Seminary College - a great model
and backdrop for this battle

This is a tough scenario for both sides.  Buford starts with 3 cavalry units and a battery of guns deployed to hold off a massive wave of Confederate units.  The Confederates start with elements from 2 brigades on the table, but this quickly increases to 3 full strength brigades - which makes it a tough decision for Buford.  Potentially sacrifice the entire Union cavalry brigade to hold up the Confederate advance, or fire a couple of turns and get the heck out of dodge?  I held a turn to long and it cost me dearly.  While the majority of the brigade ending up retiring, Roy was able to bring down effective fire on the withdrawing units, which had been badly mauled by melee with Confederate infantry units.  The result, the withdrawing units broke - this hit me later in the game.

The Iron Brigade did well ... attacking down the left Union flank and throwing the advancing Confederate units into a defensive action.  Unfortunately, Cutler and Rawley's brigades took a beating from the Confederate artillery.  Then, the first 1-2 waves of Confederates to attack took a heavy toll of both brigades, and unfortunately the 3rd wave of Confederates threw them back.

Net result, Confederates take the day - both sides suffer high casualties - and much to the historical outcome, the Union army withdraws outside of the town of Gettysburg.

Buford's Cavalry holding against the wave of
Confederate units ...

It was a great day of gaming.  A lot going on for three players but we managed.  Tons of pictures below of the action ... first the fancy camera ... then the crappy phone pictures ...





































































Pictures using my phone below ...























That's all for now ... but more to come :-)

36 comments:

  1. So beautifull and numerous flags !
    We love the smoky pictures !
    :-)

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  2. A wonderful looking and sounding game Jay.
    I really enjoyed all the photos.

    All the best. Aly

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    1. Thanks Aly! Always inspired by yourself and the Perry twin's games. :-)

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  3. Meh

    LOL! Just kidding 🙂 Brilliant stuff Jay. Were you solo playing the Union side?

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    1. Yeah, total crap ;-) Just poor old me all by my lonesome ... lol. Hard getting everyone together this time of year. Also since we played last weekend. Man ... I'm telling yeah, we got horses out here ... and no snow ;-)

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    2. Well, if you need someone who rolls crap and has no concept of tactics, I'm your man! I'd have to bring all our horses unfortunately, but I can roll up with the entire column like a John Ford movie and you could be the talk of the neighborhood lol!

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    3. Lol! Crap dice and no tactics is the name of our group ;-) Saddle up ... let's get this wagon train on the road :-)

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  4. More really nice everything! My old heart is palpitating!

    "Eat my steel, Blue Belly!!"

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  5. A wonderful and atmospheric report, great looking pictures, terrain and armies are superb!

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  6. Looks great. While one can tell the difference between the phone and the camera pictures, the difference isn't really all THAT noticeable, really!

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    1. Thanks! Agree ... just loving the zoon lens :-)

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  7. Great game but looks like hell lot of figures :) how many are you using? I've always wanted to play the game like that but number of figures needs keeps me away.

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  8. Looks great! I’m glad that this scenario is getting some play time versus just taking up storage. 😀

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    1. Thanks Stew! Heck ya ... no sense in having it sitting around doing nothing :-)

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  9. Already all been said - gorgeous set-up!

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  10. For me, your ACW games bring the period to life.

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  11. Those pictures could quite easily be on the front cover of a magazine, looks like you have invested in a quality camera Jay.
    Merry xmas
    Pat.

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  12. Replies
    1. Seconded! Where did you get those fences from? I'd be likely to get the same ones!

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  13. Must have a cracker of a game! Those minis and scenery look superb!

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  14. Tremendous looking game love the detail and approach 😀

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