Battle in Bonhomie (ACW)

[has.been]

One of our 'Regulars' games. This time ACW (28mm) using Rebels & Patriots and
some of my troops.
The Confederates were played by Bob (Flatpack) & John, while
Ian (Westbury) & myself took the Union.
In this confusing fight the Northerners arrived from West
with the Southerners entering from the East.
All points, of the compass at least, covered.

Both sides wanted control of the town. As the Confederates were out pointed
they were allowed to make use of the heavy morning mist to take a double move.
(Originally I had planned to just umpire, but numbers forced me to partake  )

7036 = Battlefield viewed from the South (Rebs come on from the right, Yanks the left)
7037 = View from the North.
7040,1,2,3 = Just in case the players were unsure some 'hints' were placed to remind
                    them which side they were.
 Our tame Alexus added to the atmosphere by playing the Ashokan Farewell (theme
music to the most excellent series about the ACW) though a request for ACW songs
resulted in some Heavy Metal group playing! 

[has.been]

7044,5 = The Yanks arrive.
7046.7 = Thanks to the mist, Grey clad troops have occupied the field & town.
7048 = As we are still dragging our cannon into position I start long range shooting.
            'Sir this ain'ta gunna moove 'em' said Sergeant Johnson.
7049,50,51 = Besides they shoot back!

[has.been]

7052 = Those who know Rebels & Patriots will know that (when throwing the 2xD6
            for a units orders each move) you would like two sixes (nice event ) and
            avoid two ones (bad event ). At this point I threw 'Snake eyes!' (double ones1)
            This turned out to be friendly fire.
            Given the Green status of most of my troops it was not a shock to get a ...
             Blue on Blue situation.
7053,4 = As I close I take more casualties. Small comfort that these are caused
               by the enemy.
7055 = Meanwhile Ian is taking a pasting  on Main St.

[has.been]

7056 = Like me Ian decides to, 'Give them Cold Steel' and advances into the town.
7057 = No sign of the Rebels preparing to withdraw.
7058 = and my advance across the open is proving costly.
7059 = We then do start to wear them down.
7060 = Finally with the guns in action, & finding the range, the Reb start to crack.
 
As with such things, when it starts to go it soon picks up speed.
Before long the Confederates were pulling out & the town was ours.

I will now leave it for the others to add their viewpoints, comments & pictures.
An enjoyable day moving toys about & having a laugh with mates.

[vodkafan]

Fantastic looking spread!
Did the Union not take any combat losses from the Confederates at all?
(Edit) oh wait yes I see you did advancing across the open meadow.

[has.been]

Fantastic looking spread!
Did the Union not take any combat losses from the Confederates at all?
(Edit) oh wait yes I see you did advancing across the open meadow.

And Ian crossed bayonets several times with John.  Ian's win in that bloody melee forced John back.
The follow up broke a key unit & panic spread. Losing his secure left flank persuaded Bob to withdraw what he had left.

A game noted for far too many double ones & sixes for my poor nerves.

[flatpack]

From the confederate point of view, we stormed into the town, under the cover of mist, taking key positions, and looking forward to taking on the union troops.







The federal troops arrived slowly into the town, and even slower arriving on the towns right flank.



Federal Right flank.


My boys opened up on the exposed federal troops on the right.


I threw my newly arrived artillery at the right flank too.


But those federal troops on my right flank, kept coming.


On our left of the town, we pressed hard, but the federal’s pressed harder.
Our troops fought well, but not well enough.




Our left wing was defeated in the town, and our troops began to run.


I decided it was better to leave with some troops, instead of no troops.


The day was won by the Union troops.

A good game, played in the right spirit.

[vodkafan]

I guess it just wasn't the Confederacy's day this time Bob. Rebs always put up a darn good fight but superior numbers often swing it.

[Westbury]

During the opening few moves I thought we (the Union) just weren't going to make any headway, the Rebs were already in the town and had occupied good ground outside of it from which our early fire could not dislodge them.
As the game rolled on superior Union numbers on the left (Pete) began to make a difference and in the town I finally got a hang of what the rules allowed me to do and charged in with cold steel - way more effective than shooting 
The sheer numbers of double ones and double sixes was very much outside of the mean and the most thumbed page of the rules was the event charts 

[flatpack]

No mention of the cake Ian ?
You still eating it ?

[vodkafan]

The sheer numbers of double ones and double sixes was very much outside of the mean and the most thumbed page of the rules was the event charts 

You are not normally a fan of the "special event" kind of game mechanic Ian, did this game grow on you a bit during play? Could this be the first Osprey Blue Book ruleset that you might like?

[Westbury]

James. Good attempt at trying to goad me 
My point of view remains unchanged but if you are at someone else's house and they have taken the time and effort to put on a game you should play with a good grace and a good humour which I think I did, I even knew which page of the rules to refer to when John and I kept rolling double ones and double sixes   

[vodkafan]

James. Good attempt at trying to goad me 
My point of view remains unchanged but if you are at someone else's house and they have taken the time and effort to put on a game you should play with a good grace and a good humour which I think I did, I even knew which page of the rules to refer to when John and I kept rolling double ones and double sixes   

Very true well said sir. I do like the Blue book rules in general and Rebels and Patriots in particular as a good simple "tool box" set.
Not everybody likes the same things and that's good for the hobby.