Our Saturday Game - Gettysburg Turning Point 1863 Scenario ID 4 - At Will Fire

For our Saturday Game - Dan Best and I traveled back to the 1863 Pennsylvania and the three days that defined America's future. For the first time for either of us, we were going to play ACW ASL courtesy of Critical Hit's Gettysburg Turning Point 1863. 

Now it would be understatement to say I was excited to mix my two favorite things...ASL and the American Civil War.  And yes, I am well aware that ASL's squad-based combat mechanics probably don't necessarily translate well into Nineteenth Century warfare. But, I think Critical Hit has done a fair job of stretching what's possible to make a decent attempt at playing ACW ASL. 

Naturally, the first thing for Dan and I both was to read through the ACW rules. There are a few and they certainly reflect the fighting prevalent during the time. I'll just mention a few.

Each MMC represents 20-25 men and stacking limits are up to 6 MMC counters in a hex. That's 120 boys. This is of course reflects the dense lines that were so omnipresent during ACW battles. But it does seem like a lot. But you will see how that pans out as this AAR progresses. And believe me Stacking is not something either Dan or I will be doing heavily. Stacking is bad whether it's 1943 or 1863.

OK, a few impressions of Gettysburg Turning Point 1863. This module was a birthday present to myself this year. My wife literally forgot to get me anything for my birthday this year. We've been married 32 years...so I'm guessing, she just didn't quite get around to it. But no worries!! No one knows what I yearn for better than I do!! So problem was quickly solved with an order to Critical Hit. But then, my order didn't show up. After two weeks, I reached out to Critical Hit and discovered that PayPal had auto-corrected my zip code to the wrong number. So, this was easily fixed and I even received a couple nice emails from Ray Tapio letting me know that the problem had been fixed and thanking me for taking a chance to play some ACW ASL. Overall, I was pleased with my Critical Hit dealings. This was also the first Critical Hit product, I've ever purchased.

The module is chock full of counters, charts and rule inserts. The maps are well made, but you have to overlay them and kinda put them together. Not a big fan of that, but otherwise nice maps. I love the counters. They really met my expectations.

The rules are fairly sparse. So I was even happier about that. I don't really enjoy rules...as most of you out there have probably gathered from following this blog.

Now, Dan and I have different versions of the game and as it turned out, my scenario card for At Will Fire called out the wrong values for the infantry on both sides. This is of course not a huge deal, but is inconvenient.

Overall, I'm pretty pleased with this product and intend to purchase the follow on modules for this series.

For a more in-depth review of the game I recommend visiting Desperation Morale.
http://www.desperationmorale.com/products/gettysburg-turning-point-1863/

Like so many Americans, my family played its part in the Civil War. As Virginians and North Carolinians, my ancestors were Confederates and served in the Army of Northern Virginia. On my grandfather's side, we had family in the 48th Virginia and on my grandmother's side, we had family in the 26th North Carolina. Both would serve at Gettysburg. My mother's side of the family were Pennsylvania and Delaware Yankees, but I don't believe any served in the Union Army to my knowledge. My wife's family are Minnesota Yankees an my in-laws are fond of reminding me that they won the war.

Growing up in Bristol, VA-TN, Civil War history was omnipresent in my life, from Lee Highway where I lived to Stonewall Jackson Jr. High. In Bristol's East Hill Cemetery, the last surviving VMI Cadet from the Battle of New Market is buried. And John S. Mosby, the Gray Ghost himself was a lawyer in Bristol when the war broke out. And Union General Stoneman passed through the region during his great raid through the Mountain South. So...American Civil War History has always been a part of my life and I expect it always will be. My idea of retirement is touring Civil War battlefields during the week and playing ASL on the weekend!  A guy can dream!!

My last visit to the Gettsyburg Battlefield was 2001. This would be my third and thus far last trip to the fields of Pennsylvania. This is a shot of my son on Little Round Top. Great memories.

The Critical Hit maps have to be put together. 6 Panels actually make up the McPherson's Farm battle area. For tonight's scenario we only needed to use the bottom 3 panels. The Confederate forces will be coming from the north and attacking the Union forces blocking the railroad cut and Chambersburg Pike.

After rolling for sides, Dan would be the attacking Confederates. He would command elements of Daniel's Brigade, Rhode's Division, II Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. The specific units would be the 2nd North  Carolina (NC) Infantry Battalion and the 45th North Carolina (NC) Infantry Regiment. Dan's force would consist of 7 x 4-4-7's, 3 x 4-3-8's, 8 x 4-4-8's, and 10 x 4-3-7's led by a 9-2 and 10-2 with a variety or runners and 2 x Flag Bearers.

General Junius Daniel, commander of a North Carolina Brigade. Junius Daniel was an educated, talented, courageous, "gallant officer" and "accomplished gentleman." His West Point training and U. S. Army experience had given him the skills and knowledge he needed to command, first, two regiments and later a brigade. This brigade he led with distinction and by personal example through the Gettysburg campaign and into the Mule Shoe Salient at Spotsylvania Court House. 

 Daniel was known as a strict disciplinarian, but he was also mindful of the health and welfare of his men. Despite the fact that Gettysburg was the brigade's first major action, Daniel handled his brigade with great skill, courage, and discipline. General Rodes, in commenting on Daniel's action on July 1, noted that the "conduct of General Daniel and his brigade in this most desperate engagement elicited the admiration and praise of all who witnessed it."

Daniel would fall at the Mule Shoe, Spotsylvania.

excerpt from below link:
http://npshistory.com/series/symposia/gettysburg_seminars/10/essay7.pdf

As the scenario defender, I would command the 143rd and 149th Pennsylvania (PA) Infantry Regiments of the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, I Corps, Army of the Potomac. My force would consist of 14 x 4-4-7's, 8 x 4-3-7's 7 x 4-3-8's, led by a 10-2 and 9-2 with several runners and 2 x Flag Bearers with 4 x 12 lb. Napoleons for support.

The 149th Pennsylvania "Bucktails" Regiment held their position from 11:30 a.m. until the Corps retired, resisting several assaults of the enemy, making two successful charges to the R.R. Cut and changing front to rear under fire.

July 2nd. Moved to support of the left and remained on picket all night. In the morning of the 3rd moved to left center where its other monument stands.

Carried into action 450.
Killed and mortally wounded 66. Wounded 159.
Captured or missing in toal 336.
Mustered in Aug. 30th, 1862.
Mustered out June 24th 1865.

Main monument to the 143rd Pennsylvania on Chambersburg Road bas-relief of Sergeant Ben Crippen shaking his fist at advancing Confederates. Crippen was killed bearing the flag during the retreat through the town on July 1st. His body was not recovered and he is assumed to be one of the “unknowns” in the National Cemetery.

On July 1, 1863, the 143rd was facing north in position, which the Regiment held from 11:30 a.m. until First Corps fell back. Last position on Seminary Ridge right resting on railroad cut. July 2d & 3d Regiment was in line on left center and on the 3rd assisted in repulsing the final charge of the enemy
—-
Present at Gettysburg, 450
Killed officers 1, men 20.
Wounded officers 11, men 130.
Captured or missing 91 men.
Total loss 253
—-
Recruited in the counties of
Luzerne, Susqueshanna, Wyoming
and Lycoming.
Mustered in Aug. Oct. 1862
Mustered out June 12th 1865

And now for Dan's Pre-Game Comments:

"The Confederates are out numbered and attacking.  My plan is to send the 2nd North Carolina after the Gun Battery through the woods.  Hopefully this will draw off one of the defending regiments.  While the 45th North Carolina will advance and occupy the railroad cut.  Once in the railroad cut the 45th will spread out and wait for the enemy to move adjacent then fire.  Hopefully the 45th will make the Union counterattack and can shoot them up adjacent.  While the 2nd can keep the guns occupied and possibly eliminate the crews to take out some artillery fire.  Mostly hoping to see how the tactics work with CWASL and attacking with units."

A few of the intrepid Grumble Jones staff photographers who covered this night's action.

 Ok...so here's McPherson Ridge on July 1st, 1863 - Day of Gettysburg. I set up the 149th and 143rd PA as per instruction as well as the 4th US Battery. My artillery (4 x 12lb. Napoleons) were well situated to enfilade the Confederate advance towards the Railroad Cut.

ACW ASL is different from ASL in a lot of ways. It shares the same sequence of play and many of the rules we are all familiar with, but counter size, counter density, fire mechanics and the importance of the parent unit (Regiment) is critical to playing this version of ASL. The circled counters are used to delineate the positions of each individual Regiment or Battery. Each MMC represents 20-25 men and up to 6 counters can be stacked in a hex. Of course...stacking is bad in this version of ASL too...and Dan and I would both learn that lesson the hard way.

A quick moment to remember one of our great Civil War Historians, Brian C. Pohanka (on the right). Brian Pohanka was featured prominently on A&E's series, Civil War Journal from the early 1990's. His contributions to Civil War history are keenly missed.

A look at the counters for the 4th US Battery. Overall, I really like the counters associated with ACW ASL.

Dan's Confederates of Daniel's Brigade enter the battlefield. Dan would send the 45th NC towards the victory hex locations in the Railroad Cut, while the 2nd NC Battalion made for my guns.

 A close up of the 143rd PA in position on Chambersburg Pike.

 A close up look at the 149th PA also on the Chambersburg Pike.

 Dan's 2nd NC Battalion in formation. They are gray, but look a bit blue in the picture. 

Darn glass plate negatives!!

 Here comes the 45th North Carolina.

One of my favorite James Walker painting showing elements of Daniel's Brigade at McPherson's Ridge. The Union soldiers are from the 149th PA if memory serves.

 The battle begins.

 The 2nd NC moves forward towards the woods near the 4th US Battery.

 The 4th US Battery would fire and get some hits on the 2nd NC.

Historically, the 4th US Battery would not fare well and it's young commander would be killed. 

 The 45th NC had moved to the fence line north of the Railroad Cut. 

I would realign my forces to meet Dan's boys in Gray. The 149th PA would shift to put fire down on the 45th NC as they clambered over the snake rail fence and into the Railroad Cut. My boys in the 143rd PA would move to the edge of the Railroad Cut to await the emergence of the 2nd NC from the woods.

For much of Dan' advance, only my Napoleons had LOS and range to thrown some round shot into his ranks. But at the fence line, the boys of the 149th PA would unleash a deadly volley at the color guard in the center of the 45th NC. It would be a devastating hit and 75 Confederates and the Color Sergeant would fall dead or mortally wounded.

 The colors of the 45th NC would fall to the ground as the 45th endured a hailstorm of minie balls.

 The 45th NC took a hard hit, but closed ranks and prepared to enter the Railroad Cut.

 The 4th US Battery turned in an outstanding performance during this scenario. 

 But my guns would roll two "12"s. By scenario end two of my Napoleons would be marked with "Cease Fire" markers indicating that they were broken for the duration of the game. There is no repairing in ACW ASL. But on the good side, neither of my tubes burst!!!

Situation around Turn 3. The 45th NC had gotten boys into the Railroad cut while the rest of the Regiment returned fire on the 149th PA. The 2nd NC was still moving through the woods.

The 45th NC would kill the first officer in the engagement as the commander of the 149th PA fell dead with a minie ball through the head. My flag bearer would be wounded by the same volley. The 149th PA would be staggered and have it's front reduced to 2 hexes as nearly the half the regiment fled to McPherson's Farm...never to return.

At this point in the game...I thought all was lost for the Union Cause. Dan's 45th NC was in the Railroad Cut Victory Locations and the 2nd NC was threatening my 4th US Battery. Things looked bleak.

At this stage of the game, I knew the 143rd PA would have to retrieve the situation as the 149th PA had lost some freedom of action due to the death of its commander.

Just as the battle looked to belong to the Confederates my Napoleons managed to wound and then kill the Commander of the 45th NC. The regiment would complete it's advance into the Railroad Cut, but much like the 149th PA across from it, it too had lost some freedom of action with the death of its commander.

Dan's 45th NC was firmly in control of the victory locations and was hidden from sight in the railroad cut.  However, the 4th US Battery could still see them and would make things hot for them.

 

As the fighting was slowing down at the Railroad Cut, the 2nd NC would emerge at the tree ready to do battle. The 193rd PA would rake their line with volley fire as the 4th US Battery hit them with canister.

And then it happened...the game changing moment...the Commander of the 2nd NC would go berserk and then all down the line, nearly every man of the 2nd NC went berserk also. The Confederates would soon charge to an uncertain fate.

Back at the Railroad Cut, one of my boys would rally and the process go berserk. They would charge to their deaths as every musket of the 45th NC poured fire into them.

Ohhh....hold a second...something seems to have gone wrong...just a moment...

Ok...I things are back on track again.

"I say...Henry...what's troubling you...?"

"Well you see...after that last Rebel Charge...well...doggone it...I skedaddled and in the process deleted the rest of the AAR pictures I took for this blog post.." 

"Well shucks Henry...I skedaddled too...it'll be alright." 

Ok...so yes, during the transfer of pictures, I somehow deleted the MOST important pictures for the blog. This is the second time this happened...and the most distressing.  But fortunately, a reporter from Leslie's Illustrated was on the map and so, we'll continue the ending of the blog with some graphics. My apologies to everyone.

So now as we return to the AAR, we find the 2nd NC making its berserk charge towards the 143rd PA and the 4th US Battery. The Confederates would be decimated by musketry and cannister. When the smoke cleared there just a few shell-shocked survivors in the Railroad Cut. 

The 2nd NC had ceased to exist. The survivors would be eliminated in the next turn.

The colors of the 2nd NC Battalion...now in Union hands.

And the final graphic showing the end of the scenario as the 45th NC was pounded by the 4th US Battery and surrounded by the men of the 143rd PA. It was at this point that Dan offered the concession. It had been a truly improbable win for the boys in Blue. Dan and I both agreed that the berserk charge of the 2nd NC Battalion had destroyed any chance for a Confederate victory.

Many a gray-clad member of the 2nd NC and 45th NC would be headed to Federal Prisons and an uncertain fate. 

And now for Dan's Post-Game Comments:

"My plan did not work.  The importance of leaders in CWASL cannot be overstated.  Also generally it is a mistake to separate the two attacking Regiments in this scenario.  The two Regiments advanced according to plan.  Then the leaders in each Regiment had trouble.  First the 45th Regiment commander was killed.  Stopping most offensive action.  Although this was not catastrophic since they had made it to the railroad cut and occupied the victory area.  Then the leader of the 2nd North Carolina went berserk.  This was catastrophic.  The berserk charge was shot down, leaving only a half squad, one runner and the flag carrier left.  This allowed the Union Regiment three attacking turns to roll up the troops in the railroad cut with supporting artillery fire.  The railroad cut was no cover for the enfilading fire of the artillery.  Without a leader and when the flag carrier went down the 45th North Carolina did not have a chance.  CWASL plays very different than ASL.  The formation movement and firing along with the command affects of the leader and catastrophic affects of losing leaders makes it a totally different game.  Very interesting learning the new game.  Congratulations to Grumble Jones on a win!

Two small things we may have missed.  The guns critical hit on less than half what they need to hit when shooting at infantry.  This may have happened a few times especially on the berserker charge.  Second when shooting at the berserkers in the same hex with the guns...all units would be affected rule 5.11 says all same level units even friendly along the path of fire are affected.  This is questionable since it is not along the LOS...but in the target hex.  Overall we got the rules fairly accurate.  Great fun!   Thanks for a great game!"

The boys of the 143rd PA had secured the victory and for an hour or so...gave the Union cause hope on Gettysburg Day 1.

So...that's a wrap on our first playing of ACW ASL. I sorta enjoyed it. It was fun to see the ebb and flow of Civil War combat with a couple of regiments to each side. Dan and I both learned that Color Bearers and Leaders are pretty doggone important. And you don't get anything but final fire with Muskets and no residual fire. So defend carefully folks! At the end of the day, I had a lot of fun playing this. But I don't think I'll be doing another scenario for a while. ACW ASL is definitely not ASL So it's back to the Second World War for Dan and I. I hope you will join us next Saturday for a 3-Way Game with our pal Dave Mareske as we play ASL Scenario J164 Aiding the Local Constabulary.

So we'll close this AAR with a couple of shots from the fields and heights of Pea Ridge National Battlefield Park. I hope this slight detour from "Normal" ASL will inspire some interest in the American Civil War. Our country has some pretty awesome history and the many battlefield sites are some of the best ways to experience that history.

Thanks for reading and we'll see you next time here at Grumble Jones!