The Battle of the Crosstown Turnpike, ACW, 1863

This was an introduction game of the Longstreet rules, explaining the game to two new players, thinking of painting up their own ACW armies. My miniatures, and mixing theirs and mine terrain, with a scenario that saw the Rebs trying to force the Union away from a crossroads on the Crosstown Turnpike. The Union deployed to defend the line of the road, with their cavalry on the far left. The Confederates would attack passed the farm, by the crossroads objective, again with their cavalry on their left (so at opposite ends of the board, with the same rough plan). 

The Confederacy was in a hurry, and got advancing all along the line, as their batteries started to inflict the first hits. One bold regiment of Georgia recruits came at the double up the road, directly at the crossroads, it took the brunt of the Union fire, Parrot rifles and then rifle fire causing them heavy losses here. Meanwhile, the other columns (no firing lines here), moved up relatively unscathed. The Reb cavalry was working their way through a small pine wood, whilst the Union cavalry waited in place, and waited...

Turn 2, and the Rebs came on. Some rifle fire, but mostly just an advance 'at the quick'. The artillery had the Union Zouaves in a cross-fire and were inflicting damage on the best Union unit, as one larger regiment closed in on them. The Union held fast as their line opened up and inflicted a few losses, but their cavalry again failed to get moving, querying orders. Turn 3 would see the Reb charge at the crossroads.

When it hit, one Union regiment threw them back, but the other gave ground, deeper into the pine forest. The Reb cavalry had their route blocked by a union column, preventing them getting to the guns, some protection at last! The Confederates could now claim the objective.  The Union needed to responded, but their fire was weak, the Yankee guns largely blocked for targets. The cavalry gt moving, at speed, making up for lost time, around the back of wood, rather than risk the cannon fire. Turn 4 would be make or break... as the full charge impacted from 5 infantry regiments and the grey cavalry got involved too. The Confederates had an 'eager for the fight' card, very handy as the grey swarm rushed up to finish the job started last turn. Everywhere the Union lost those fights, driven back, with two regiments wiped out, including the 142nd NY veterans. The Reb cavalry also reached one battery and overran it. Disaster had engulfed the Union position, and, holding the objective, their break point was easily exceeded. A solid win for the boys in grey/brown, taking the Crosstown Turnpike at the rush... the Union cavalry had contributed nothing due to the various delays inflicted upon them. In all, maybe 2.5 hours, game done...  good fun.

Union lines, their right, facing the farm and crossroads. The line was split by the pine forest in the centre, which was occupied.

2 regiments and 2 batteries on the Union left. they await the rebel assault.

'Onward boys!' Georgia's recruits are sent directly up the road, into the teeth of the Union firepower, as the farm yard is also occupied to provide some supporting fire for the bold march.

142nd New York, Zouaves, on the Union left. Veterans infantry, so a tough nut to crack. They guard this flank, along with cavalry, so it should be secure...

Far left, for the end run, the US cavalry, but it would be a difficult battle for the mounted arm.

Reb guns on the high ground overlooking the Union left, and the target of the US cavalry attack.

Marauding Reb cavalry, on their left, around the trees on their own end run. But Union infantry block the way, until they withdraw, making a quick charge to guns viable.

 

The bronze Napoleons target the 142nd NY for heavy fire, battering them. Where is the cavalry attack meant to silence these guns?

Height of the battle, the Reb's 'eager for the fight' charge, charge and charge! Streaming across the turnpike road, a swarm of grey/brown. Union firing line under heavy pressure. It cannot hold and is forced back.

The last of the 142nd NY veterans also face a 'Rebel Yell' and the charge, the left flank is lost as they are defeated and destroyed. The Union position is in big trouble... well, it's been destroyed...