The Year in Review

This has been a very interesting and busy year for me in both my hobby and in my personal life.

I have been painting figures and researching battles for upcoming games. The good news is I have managed to fight several Historical Battles this year. I will be posting the Battle Reports sometime in the first few months of next year.

I have also taken a different approach to the Generals' configuration on their command bases. During the course of the war, Some Generals have been promoted or killed. Many battles started out with a particular General as a brigade commander, Hood during Battle of Seven Pines, Hancock at Battle of Williamsburg, Later during the war They were Promoted to Division and Corps Command. Here is my remedy for this.

The big name Generals will be placed on a stand with an escort. The Division and Corps level flags will be on a stand with an escort. This is General Edwin Sumner with his 2nd Corps Command configuration. Army, Division, and Corps Level Commanders will be represented by two stands.

Lastly, I leave this post with a few parting shots of some of the Historical Battles I have fought this year and will be posting the reports in their entirety at a later date beginning next year.

Battle #1.

Could this be the 5th New York Duryee's Zouaves?

Battle #2.        Another Battle near a river. What Early war battle could this be?

Battle #3.        A brigade of Union Infantry beginning to push into the Virginia Interior. Which Battle is This?

Is That John Bell Hood with the Texas Brigade?

Battle #4.  Confederate Brigades in line advancing.  Brigadier Generals Wilcox, A.P. Hill and Pickett,.

If you would like to speculate the battles based of some of the visual clues please leave a comment. Join this blog and stay up to date. Most importantly, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Battle of Butler Farm Part 2

The Conclusion of the battle.

Turn 4. Confederate Initiative. The Confederate General orders his men to fire once the distance is closed. All along the Confederate line the musketry is heard. Starting with the center regiment and moving right to the flanking regiment. Things become very intense on the Confederate right flank. Casualties begin to mount up as they draw the fire of two Federal regiments.

Turn 5. Federal Initiative.  The Confederate right flank crumbles. The regiment takes on too many casualties and are forced from the field.

The Union General sees an opportunity. The right is shortened and is vulnerable.

Turn 6. Federal Initiative.  Things seem to look brighter for the Confederates. The regiment attacking the center is driven back to the fence. The center is not the only place on the battlefield where the action is. After routing one infantry regt, the federal Infantry moves into position for the next volley.

The Confederate battery notices they are the new right flank. Then they notice the Union regiment in Battle line advancing towards them from the side.

The Confederate Battery is driven from the field by Flanking fire from a Federal Regiment.

One of the reserves is marched in the direction of the troubled flank.

Just then, The Center of the defensive line falls apart. The regiment taking constant casualties, can endure no more. They rout and take flight to the rear.

With the right flank in danger and now the center regiment being routed, The General calls for an orderly withdrawal. Hopefully they can fall back to the other side of the river and regroup in a shorter line of defence.

Battle of Butler Farm Part 1

Turn 1. The Georgia Brigade is set up across the farm of a Mr. Butler. Both Flanks of the brigade are anchored in tree lines A Battery of Napoleons are at the edge of the clearing with a good view of the opposing tree line. 

The smell of a fresh field. The Georgia troops hope that they are able to rest after the weeks worth of fighting and marching.

"Colonel, Do you see what I-" Started the Captain. "Yes, I do." Replied the Colonel as he called for the drummer to beat the long roll.

Coming out of the woods in a long Battle line is the New York Brigade that they had faced the week before.

The Artillerist prepare their guns for the coming action.

Turn 2. Federal Iniatiave  The Federal artillery battery fires at the Georgia Infantry in front of the house. The barrage is horrendous. Soldiers duck and kneel. The Confederate Battery returns counter battery fire. The Union General orders his men forward and the long line of men emerge from the woods and begin to close to the enemy.

Turn 3. Federal Iniaitive. The flanks of the advancing brigade seem to make good progress. The regiment in the center takes time to cross the split rail fence before it can move forward.  The flank regiments close distance and open fire. The lead Georgia regiment seems to be the focus. The Colonel has his men continue to hold their fire. 

"Steady men. Steady. Hold your position." Yells the Colonel.

The Union right Flank opens up with a quick volley.

federal Artillery continues to fire.

The Center regiment finally manages to cross the fence and reform. They move forward. The reserve regiment makes it to the fence and prepares to follow.