The Tale of the Tardy Tigers

Many months ago, when it seemed that the world couldn’t get any weirder, I began the ubiquitous Wargaming Lockdown Project.

Even further back in the mists of time I had acquired a large box of unpainted 15mm ACW figures at a Bring & Buy (I honestly don’t remember which one). Now seemed like an ideal opportunity to get them painted and, when we were finally allowed out of our homes, onto the table for a bit of good, old fashioned, lead-pushing fun.

I should not have to explain, dear reader, what happened next. An extra brigade or two became four or five which became at least a couple of ‘bargain’ army packs and so it continued. Like Topsy it growed and growed; the Uncle Tom’s Cabin reference seems historically appropriate. Eventually an eclectic mix of old school 15s was assembled consisting of, among unidentified others, Old Glory, Friekorps, Essex, Warrior, Lancashire, Minifigs, Naismith….

There is a plethora of American Civil War rules to choose from but, having the Lardy seal of approval and having recently played David Brown’s excellent ‘O’ Group, Pickett’s Charge was the strong favourite.

We needed something small and simple to ease us into the rules so The Battle of Port Republic was chosen from Bullets & Dirt, an old scenario booklet for Johnny Reb II now available again, I believe, as a download.

Only two Union brigades on the defensive against up to five Confederate brigades turning up in force arriving from the south but spread over time. The Rebs under Jackson are playing against the clock and needed to oust the Bluebellies as quickly as possible. Do they attack from the off or should they wait for more of their brigades to arrive?

This first game was played necessarily slowly with numerous pauses for reference to the rules but still managed to remain enjoyable and fun (there’s that word again).

A sparse battlefield before the fences were put down alongside the roads. The Shenandoah river is only crossable at the bridge. All land to the west is ‘Pache country!

The US forces line the fence.

At 7am the first Rebels to arrive were the famous Stonewall Brigade who, despite their depletion in numbers due to the recent campaign, took up an aggressive stance on their left next to the Shenandoah. Deploying their batteries and skirmishers to cover the advance they were a fine sight to behold.

The 27^th Virginia carrying the ol’ Stars & Bars. 

The second Confederate brigade (Taylor’s) arrived on turn 5. Five regiments including the famous Wheat’s Tigers (1^st Louisiana). 

Taylor placed the 9^th Louisiana on his extreme right in skirmish line and proceeded to toy with skirmish checkerboard and possibly skirmish hexagon before being ticked off by the umpire. Eventually the dancing Louisianans would be dispersed under constant fire and shell but by that time the battle was as good as over.

Now surely Jackson can make a rapid advance and take the field.

Sadly, Brig-Gen Taylor threw a series of utterly uninspiring dice resulting in several Hesitant markers and earning him the ironic soubriquet of Taylor “Swift”.

Undaunted by this laxity Brig-Gen Winder and his Stonewall Brigade pressed on towards Col Carroll’s Yankee 4^th Brigade.

The 110^th Pennsylvania await the onslaught.

With numbers on their side the US firing line should surely be able to inflict some serious damage. But numbers proved not to be the Union commander’s forte and their rolling was lamentable.

When things go wrong they really go wrong and they rarely went right for the Union.

The Stonewall brigade, led by the skirmishing 2^nd Virginians, come on a whoopin’ and a hollerin’. They crash into the 110^th and give them the baayy-oh-net! 

The Yankees evaporate and their supports fall back. Union dice scores for the Faltering Brigade tests along with their inability to produce the required staff Officer resulted in the 4^th brigade quitting the field in its entirety.

The 4^th & 5^th Virginia storm the position. 

            

The Tigers, resplendent in their red caps and baggy trousers, never managed to get to grips having spent most of the battle preening and combing their moustaches.  

Union 3^rd Brigade sends a regiment to the flank but things are looking grim.

The 4^th US battery who, despite their veteran status, managed to do as much damage to themselves as they did to the enemy. 

29^th Ohio defend the crossroads but are those more cursed Rebels hovering into view?

Stuert's Brigade finally arrives in the distance and the Yankee's fate is sealed.

So, a Rebel victory but not a decisive one as it took them until after 11am to settle the issue. This was thanks in no small part to poor Taylor “Swift” and his dodgy dice. No doubt the recall to Richmond will appear by the end of the week.

Pickett's Charge are a fine set of rules and we look forward to more battles over the next few weeks. Now where did I put my Hardee hat?