Having the guys commit to a full weekend, I set up a secondary game should we need in addition to the larger affair earlier (see post: the big game ). I set up a 'bathtub' version of the American Civil War version of Chattanooga.
In this scenario, the Union would have the advantage of not only the numbers historically but with the rules, multiple commands giving much better tactical maneuver. The Confederate commander would, regardless of the position of his General, have most of his spread out troops out of command radius and thus less likely to be allowed tactical positioning. He would be always be forced to only command those troops most needing and leaving the others to the tender mercies of the opposition.
The scenario roughly follows that of the historical battle. The Confederates had the Missionary Ridge position in the centre with slightly forward positions of Lookout Mountain on the left and Tunnel Hill on the right held by, in our game by the Brunswickers and Highlanders respectively. While the Dutch-Belgians held the centre ridge. To represent the unexpected rapid collapse of the Confederates on the ridge, I had their combat rating undetermined until contact so even their commander would not know how much they could be relied upon.
The Union were in three commands: Hooker with his Westphalians would attack Lookout Mountain; Sherman and his Napoleonic Minor States contingent would attack the Highlanders representing the steady troops of Cleburne. In the middle under the fortifications of Chattanooga was Thomas and the artillery. In the actual battle a portion of the troops would make a demonstration on the lower slopes of ridge, get shot at and as a un-commanded response charge up the hill and rout the Confederates! I had Thomas' troops ability to do the same (but in future games restrict him even further as this push made all Confederate resistance futile)
We ended up playing two games of this. One Friday night and the other Saturday. Both followed the historical narrative. The boys seemed to have quite a bit of fun with these smaller 'fast' games.
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| part of "Hooker's" Westphalians |
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| Westhphalians vs Bruswickers defending Lookout Mountain (my command...and my favourite Napoleonic army..love the somber black. Converted plastics) |
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| a mid-battle overview with Thomas's troops in the centre having left their entrenchments and attacking the Ridge (right of photo), and 'Sherman's' troops slowly marching to assault the British Highlanders on Tunnel Hill (upper right). Lookout Mountain is off-camera lower left. |
You can view DavidB's blog at David's narrative for more on this scenario