James and Scrivs' Longstreet Campaign

[H.M.Stanley]

"General Woodward, Suh,

It is my honour to report that your orders were carried out to the letter.

The Brigade took the Western hill with hardly any resistance from the Federals. The 1st NC and 1st SC Cavalry kept the blue-bellies interested long enough for our boys to form a battle line. Those cowardly Northerners however just wouldn't take the bait and refused to move over the river.

As instructed, the remaining piece in Manley's artillery was wrapped in cotton wool. You should have heard those fellas holler when they paid back the Union artillery in kind. At least one gun was destroyed and the rest driven back. The Federal artillery was contained and largely ineffective despite their overall superiority in numbers.

Our Cavalry were magnificent, magnificent I say Suh. The 1st SC shot out from the cover of the woods whooping and a hollering and cut down more Yankee artillery and driving off the surviving gun and its crew. Not content with that, they destroyed a Yankee regiment to a man. Those boys sure can fight!

It is fair to say General that the 1st NC are licking their wounds after a tussle with a particularly stubborn Federal unit of infantry. Still, those fellas did themselves proud too, charging repeatedly into the face of the enemy and keeping that unit occupied.

As the enemy could not be brought to battle, my Brigade retired as instructed and as fresh as a daisy.

Felicitations and Salutations

Gen. Barksdale [Rank 2nd Eagle]"

Footnote:

Scrivs is so damn poxy sometimes! Despite my capturing an objective [and thereby adding an extra D6 to the roll], he survived two break tests for his army. Naturally, I failed the first one I took and he was rolling just the one die …

Mission accomplished really. I had a significant advantage in cavalry which I was prepared to be aggressive with (while minimising any CR infantry losses) in order to get at Paul's artillery. Paul couldn't ignore the cavalry action developing under his nose and had to pour everything he had to try to contain the threat.

This time I took a battering in the post-game casualties but all in all my force is looking strong with additional artillery and infantry arriving in reinfocements [and not a moment too soon].

More to the point, I am sweeping ahead in the EP race which is the whole point of the campaign. My "foolhardy" charges boosting my score to 9 against Scrivs' 4 or 5.

My Brigade is now as follows:

13 Miss - INF - Seasoned Veterans (5)
17 Miss - INF - Eager Recruits (6)
18 Miss - INF - Eager Recruits (5)
21 Miss - INF - Eager Recruits (9)

1st NC - CAV - Cautious Recruits (4)
1st SC - CAV - Seasoned Veterans (7)

Manley's ART - Howitzer & Napoleon 6LB
             ART - Howitzer & Napoleon 6LB

[scrivs]

It's taken a few days to get the report out, but I have updated the blog with my report of the Battle of Lenton Fords that took place on the 20th September 1862.



After two defeats in a row, could that cur Barksdale prevent another loss for the Confederates?

You probably already guessed the answer, but check out Scrivsland for a true and authentic description of the battle http://scrivsland.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/the-battle-of-lenton-ford-1862.html

[H.M.Stanley]

"But it wasn't my fault General! The damn yankees were supposed to be miles away from the river. I left that fool of a nephew of yours in charge.

I  don't wish to be indelicate General but I was otherwise engaged with the Widow Plenty. Her offer of cherry pie seemed harmless enough. The enemy hadn't been sighted for days and as we'd not heard from our cavalry. I didn't think it would hurt none to leave the Brigade, just for a small slice. You do understand General ...?

A demotion you say!? Well, we'll just have to see what the Senator has to say about that!"

[H.M.Stanley]

Best I can do of a bad job. I split my force in the face of the enemy by trying to cover all the crossings and got absolutely mullahed! And deploying my brand spanking new recruits in artillery range was not my finest gaming hour, they lost three bases in the opening salvo ... [slaps own forehead]

It's a good job that I'm about to go on a visit to the US to do the Gettysburg and Antietam thing with some other friends otherwise I could go right off ACW at the moment .

The South will rise again despite Barksdale's worst efforts!! I might have to kill him off and have him choke on a cherry stone at the Widow Plenty's as I fear that he is an affront to the the name of a decent Brigade Commander by all accounts.

And to show no hard feelings, I am going to buy Scrivs an ACW  kepi from Gettysburg. An Artillery one mind ...

[scrivs]

I think you should have done what I did in the game where I had to defend and concentrated your forces for a counter attack.

Barksdale is due a victory soon, but probably not against Scrivener 

[julesav]

I'm loving this thread guys!

Now I'm wondering 'How many ACW figures would I need to play a full campaign of Longstreet?' Any help would be appreciated!

Cheers

Jules

[H.M.Stanley]

I think you should have done what I did in the game where I had to defend and concentrated your forces for a counter attack.

Barksdale is due a victory soon, but probably not against Scrivener 

We shall see. All the advantages are now for the Federals (1863) but the Friend in the State House card is just about keeping me in the mix

[H.M.Stanley]

I'm loving this thread guys!

Now I'm wondering 'How many ACW figures would I need to play a full campaign of Longstreet?' Any help would be appreciated!

Cheers

Jules

Thanks Jules.  The Longstreet campaign is really good fun.

Early days yet but I should think that in total you need 40+ bases of infantry each plus support.

Best, J

[scrivs]

I'm loving this thread guys!

Now I'm wondering 'How many ACW figures would I need to play a full campaign of Longstreet?' Any help would be appreciated!

Cheers

Jules

Well to start the first game you need 3 units of 10 infantry bases, one unit of eight horse, both mounted and dismounted plus a battery of three guns. After the first game it's pretty random how your forces go.

I am three games into the campaign and my force is now two units of 7 foot, one unit of ten foot, one unit of eight mounted plus three batteries of three guns.

[jclaxton]

   I normally play johnny reb II but this thread has stirred my interest in Longstreet.  Thanks for an enjoyable read.

[Atheling]

   I normally play johnny reb II but this thread has stirred my interest in Longstreet.  Thanks for an enjoyable read.

Yeah, me too. There's a chap at the club who knows his ACW inside out and upside down and we always play with rules of his choosing... all the better for it too really.

Darrell.

[julesav]

Thanks for the info Stanley & Scrivs. I will have to dig out my 15mm Fire and Fury stuff and see what would be necessary!

Cheers

Julesav

[H.M.Stanley]

So, having visited Gettysburg and seen the spot where Barksdale's Brigade charged, i think it only fitting that for our campaign Barksdale leaves us for his natural home in the Eastern theatre.

Having read "Company Aytch" on my travels, my force will resume as is but now under the guise of Manley's 2nd Brigade in the West.

I'll update my roster shortly

[Anna Elizabeth]

Nice read, Gents.

I'll be starting 28mm Union this Summer, with a new friend starting Johnny Reb.

[H.M.Stanley]

Thank you. The Longstreet campaign is good fun. Enjoy your Johnny Reb games.

I've managed to avoid 28mm ACW so far except for my Bushwacker/Jayhawker project. Mind you, I'm  expecting a parcel delivery which just may involve Sash and Sabre