Monday morning gamers: Battle of Fraysers Farm Conclusion

   Monday we concluded the Battle of Fraysers Farm with a Victory for the Union.   The game started with the rebels having 28 stands  'Hors de combat"versus about 14 for the Union but that didnt deter the Gray backs at all with the flanks pressing there attacks with vigor. The Union right looked in a precarious position as the confederate pressed home after overrunning a Union battery and defeating a supporting brigade. But the union came back and after a grueling melee that lasted a total of 4 rounds the Southern attack was broken as the grey units were now failing the maneuver checks after reaching there heavy and greater casualty limit . 

The monday morning gamers: Battle of Frasers Farm 1862

  Last Monday (August 2)  we fought on the Virginia Peninsula 1862 with  the Battle of Fraysers Farm."  It was a hard pressed battle with the Confederate attacking the defending Union on both flanks and the Union holding strong in the center.   Although the Confederate were pushing back the Union Right flank, the Confederate attack on the Union left flank was grinding to a hold with the attacking division decimated.  We left the action still in doubt.  Both sides were getting reinforcements  and more artillery are on the way.

We will be continuing this battle on  Monday August 9th.  We are extremely lucky that that John can keep the tables set up.in his garage so we can continue the game where we left off.    Stay tuned for more!

Metacomet's Warriors and allies

 

Finished the Brigade miniatures Wampanoag warriors and Metacomet (King Philip) figure for a total of 16 figures.  I mounted them on round MDF bases and they are ready to play.

To assist them I rebased my other Native warriors from my War of 1812 collection by Knuckleduster minuatures.  They are dressed very much like the Brigade figures and will fit in with them as allies.  I know both groups will find service fighting in American Rev War and 1812 as well as KPW so these will become super useful troops.

New England Militia of King Philips War

 

 I completed the Brigade game miniatures militia figures.  These were fun figures to paint and a break from my usual uniformed troops.  While they can field as any militia type troops I expect to use them as Captain Samuel Mosley's  men due to their ball bag and cartridge pouch.  His orders were to use these rather then powder flasks (i.e. twelve apostles) to aid in faster loading and making less noise.  I think these figures also capture the look of Mosley's men who were made up of ex privateers, pardoned convicts, ex sailors, and other riff raff drafted from undesirables in town.

 Mosley was an ex merchant ship captain who had fought privateers and pirates and disliked native Indians.  He was involved in a number of questionable actions so his marriage to the governor's daughter probably kept him out of trouble.  He did not get along with Captain Benjamin Church, who refused to mention him at all in his history of the war.  Which is possibly why he is not well known today.  Captain Mosely's company took part in numerous fights and always gave a good accounting of themselves.  At Bloody Brook when they tried to rescue Captain Lathrop's men the Indians recognized them and called out, "Come on Mosely, come on! You want Indians?  Here are enough Indians for you!"

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  In addition I have been painting up the warfare Miniatures armed civilians.  These figures have the twelve apostles and are walking (I hesitate to say marching) in a very relaxed manner.  Perfect for local militia walking into an ambush or escorting supply wagons.

And a few more pictures of how things will look on the table top.

Battle of Prospect Hill

 

  On Monday July 19th we met to fight yet another American Civil War battle.  Thus one was the fighting around Prospect Hill on the Confederate right flank during The Battle of  Fredericksburg. Rules were Brigade level "Fire and Fury" and troops were 15mm from John's collection.  He also hosted the game in his garage.  

I was posted on the right flank of the Union line commanding Brook's and Howe's divisions of Smith's 6th Corps.  The other division of my corps was off table to be brought in as reinforcements.  Dave was in the center with Meads troops and Peter on the left with Reynold command.  The Confederates were Jackson's Corps of A.P. Hill (Warren) , Hood's (Art)  and  Taliaferro's (Don) Divisions.

The Jackson's Corps stood behind the railroad embankment hoping to draw in  the Union assault. Instead, the Union massed their batteries and opened up with a heavy cannonade which reduced the confederate artillery by 5 batteries!  This caused Jackson to order A.P. Hill to attack on the right and Hood was to attack on the right.  Taliferno was to wait for the center to be weakened and then also attack.

  On the union right flank Smith threw in Brooks' and Howe's divisions to assault the Confederate left. A series of Bad communications( bad dice rolls) left the rebels immobile as Howe and Brook attacked and pushed them back. The attack  pushed them from the railroad embankment and back into the woods and threatened to turn the flank.  But at the point the boys is grey rallied and drove the Yankees back to the railroad embankment where they took covered and brought up reinforcement.   The Confederate  casualties had been horrendous and they stood little chance of taking the embankment.

 The center Meade's division, supported by the massed Union batteries took the railroad embankment and prepared to push through the center.

  Meanwhile the union left was assailed by AP Hill's division coming out from behind the railriad embankment. Unfortunately for them they slammed into the Iron Brigade of Doubledays division of the 1st Corp who proved why they were considered the best of the union army. Not only did they shatter the rebel brigade spearhead (capturing that brigade) but followed up with a breakthrough attack on the supporting brigade and defeated them also!

  At this point the casualty total were Grey 47 stands lost and was   just 1 stand away from break point.  The Union was only 24 stands lost;  well under the 52 stands lost threshold. After 4 hours of play we had completed 6 turns (and had a lunch break)  and came to a decision on the field of battle. All players felt it was a Union victory and all had had a wonderful time.  

Thank you very much John for all your hard work pudding this on and thank you to my fellow gamers Peter, Warren, Dave, Don and Art for a fun game and great comradery and a wonder afternoon.  Looking forward to our next Monday afternoon game in August.