Another game of Regimental Fire and Fury took place this weekend, and this time we had a special guest star player from Little Rock. This was Frank’s first game of RF&F, and he did an excellent job commanding the Confederate left. RF&F proved easy to teach, which is encouraging for the future!
Brigadier “Dockery” drove all Yankees before him
This meeting engagement at a crossroads (a ubiquitous theme in our games) was dubbed the “Second Battle of Y-City,” and involved equal forces of two brigades, two batteries, and a regiment of cavalry seeking to take control of a vital road junction (it seems that all crossroads, junctions, and turnpikes are vital!). We Confederates (meaning Frank and I) started in possession of the road entry on our side of the board, as well as the road intersection. The Union forces (led by the mysterious Scarlet J) controlled the two road entries/exits on the north side of the board. So, we started out with a draw, and only possession of an enemy objective, or the infliction of massive casualties on the opposite force, would break the impasse.
Overview of the battlefield, after both forces make their initial deployment
Tillman’s Brigade took the Confederate right, and with its larger array of regiments (4), would attempt to engage the bulk of the enemy force, while Dockery’s brigade (consisting of 3 regiments) would look for an opportunity to gain local superiority, and roll up the Yankee flank. The divisonal commander, Leverett, would hold the 6th Texas cavalry in reserve, and Yell’s batteries were also under his direct command, and would be used to provide support to either wing, as needed.
Dockery’s Brigade-close cousins to the infamous Danish Texans.
Dockery’s Brigade had some tricky terrain to traverse, including a patch of stony rough ground, a wheat field in full bloom, and a large wood on their left. Frank did an excellent job of being patient, and maintaining a cohesive line all across his front. This is a talent I haven’t developed.
Tillman’s brigade would lose 800, or so, men trying to hold these stone walls.
On the right, Tillman’s brigade advanced as quickly as possible, trying to take positions at a stone-wall lined field, as well as a copse of trees on the extreme eastern side of the battlefield. The arrangement of the terrain made for a line as crooked as a dog’s hind leg, which would prove to be problematic, at times.
View from they Yankee lines back toward Dockery’s Brigade. Dockery’s first task was to drive that screening line of cavalry from the woods.
Sure enough, Yankee cavalry occupied the large wood on Dockery’s left, and though they were no real threat to his brigade, they did have to be dealt with, which took a bit of time.
Tillman’s Brigade in position. For what we are about to receive…
On the right, Tillman’s brigade faced an equal number of foes, but the Union brigade was supported by artillery, while General Leverett decided to concentrate his artillery fire to the left, leaving Tillman without heavy support.
Murderous Shopkeep’s Brigade pushes straight in against Tillman’s Brigade!
The Union brigade facing Tillman made a bold advance. Not really a charge, per se, but a sort of ‘run up and blast them from the end of a yard stick’ approach. Given the perverse luck of the Yankee commander, this rash tactic paid off.
They key moment on the right. Rapid and accurate musketry by a single disordered Yankee regiment would repulse a strong charge by two Confederate regiments at the crossroads. Tillman’s brigade was thrown into disorder by this refusal.
As Dockery continued his inexorable advance on the left, Tillman began taking heavy casualties. The 15th NW Arkansas managed to disrupt one Union regiment in a small wood at the crossroads, and an opportunity arose to push into that disrupted regiment with two Confederate regiments, with an eye toward breaking the Union center, and then wheeling to catch the rest of the brigade in enfilade fire.
Unfortunately, the Union regiment made a tremendous stand (as a result, strange cackling crowing sounds were heard as utterances from The Scarlet J’s throat), and the rebel yell caught in the oncoming Confederate attackers’ throats. The gallant charge was cut down by a withering fire, and the two ‘sesh regiments retreated in considerable disorder.
The 6th Texas Cavalry is sent into action by the divisional commander, Leverett, and is tasked with shoring up the collapsing right. In the distance, Dockery’s brigade advances through clouds of musket smoke. The massed batteries in the center are dedicated to pounding the Yank forces in Dockery’s front.
The 15th Northwest Arkansas and 3rd Missouri are cast out of their position at the stone wall by the inexorable Union advance. General Tillman, at great risk to his person, bravely rallies his troops.
On the right, the battle was at what can only be called a low ebb. The 15th was cast out of the stone wall lined field, and the 3rd Missouri was driven back, too. Both regiments were to take over 50% casualties before the end of the battle.
A, or perhaps _the_ bright spot in the Confederate battle line was Dockery’s methodical advance. His brigade’s accurate musketry, combined with supporting artillery fire was inflicting heavy casualties on the Union brigade in that area.
Leverett’s Brigade gets its act together, and falls back to a secondary position. Though they would take many more casualties, they would not fall back an inch further from this position. Unfortunately, that Yankee regiment in the center of the picture has just captured the road junction that the battle is all about.
Tillman’s brigade eventually pulled it together, but not before they were driven off of the crossroads. The Yanks seized the crossroads objective, and were content to form up and hold it against Tillman’s gutted force.
Dockery’s Brigade rolls on. Just out of the picture on the right are two decimated Yankee regiments.
State of the lines at the battle’s end. Dockery has started to roll up the Union right, but Tillman’s brigade is shattered, and barely hanging on.
As night fell, the battle ended. The Union held the important crossroads. Both forces had taken extremely heavy casualties, but here too the Yanks had the advantage, by some 160 men, or so. It would have been interesting to play out a couple more turns. I think Frank could have done some real damage on the left, but, on the other hand, my brigade (Tillman’s) could have been routed off the table with one more aggressive Yankee push (and some good dice rolling).
Great fun was had by all, except for some heartfelt cursing of rotten luck by yours truly. Fortunately my morale rallied by the end.
The Scarlet J declared it a minor Union victory, though I think a case could be made for something a little more impressive sounding than that! Well done, sir.
ArkieGamer 