The Battle of St. Omer 26th July 1340

By Steve Cast.

As promised here is the battle report for my first solo wargame, the battle of St. Omer. I arrived late at the venue because I was waylaid by next doors cat whilst crossing the vast expanse of my back garden and had a moment of deliberation, do I say hello and stroke it under the chin or do I kill it now and put it in the freezer in case Waitrose runs out of food? After lifting the mallet above my head I hesitated, I decided to say hello and perhaps kill it another day, it would be leaner then.

Arriving at the shed I set up the game after which I felt compelled to sit around and waste 45 minutes talking to myself about non related wargames subjects so that the game could start late as is traditionally the case. I had a very intellectual conversation about Corona virus and the virtues of the NHS but as soon as I got onto the subject of nurses and their bed side manner I thought to myself I must degrade this discussion somehow otherwise it wouldn’t seem right, so as the plane nose dived toward the ground I managed to turn the conversation to nurses uniforms, stockings, suspender belts, G Strings, nudity and “Oh matron the screens” before grabbing control of the situation and forcing myself from my comfy chair and my beer to the wargames table with some reluctance.

I’d brought some suitably styled medieval music with me. I nearly chose Clanad but that seemed a bit limp, so I chose AC/DC instead. I mean who wants “Robin the hooded man” when you can have “Ain’t no fun waiting round to be a millionaire” which is historically accurate because it’s what every medieval peasant would have said. However, after putting the first CD into my ancient coal fired, cardboard, rubber band driven CD player I had another compulsion to play air guitar and strut around like Angus Young thus delaying the game by a further 30 minutes. One heart attack and three hernias later I grabbed myself by the scruff and plonking myself down on the not so comfy wargames chair I started the game.

The rules I used were my usual Medieval set, you know the set everybody likes, but with one significant change, the move sequence. I came across an article I’d kept from many years ago hidden away on the dark recesses of the hard drive of my lap top in a folder marked “Wargames rules should there be a Corona virus outbreak”, which is really spooky. It was one from a Solo wargames website and uses a move sequence called “Frequency of Movement Deck” or FMD, which could also stand for Fred, Mike and Derek, but for the purposes of this article it’ll be short for “Frequency of Movement Deck”.

So here’s how it works. Every unit in the army gets a number of cards depending upon what type they are:

Light cavalry units get 3 cards each and are aptly named “Light cavalry”
Close order cavalry units get 2 cards each
Light infantry, Archers, and Crossbows get 2 cards each
Close order infantry get 1 card each

One set is coloured red and the other is coloured blue.

 The idea is that you shuffle the cards and draw one card per move allowing a unit of the type drawn to charge, move, or shoot. Melees are simultaneous.

This gives cavalry armies a distinct advantage. In this game the Flemish had an army of 15,000 men all on foot and the French only had an army of 3,000 but with some cavalry, and as you will see below the French had the higher number of cards.

In order to keep the number of cards down you base each pack as though each side has 10 units and then modify this using the FMD factor.

The map on the next page is taken from Jonathan Sumption first book “Trial by Battle” and the gaming table is marked in red, 24” x 56” for those of you who still believe in proper imperial measurements. Now here’s the bit you’ve all been waiting for, Ground scale!! The ground scale for this game was 1” to 30 yds or a 1 mile by ½ a mile table. Now when you look at my photos of the game the roads on my gaming table won’t match those on the map below. This is because I’ve found evidence that the map Mr Sumptiuon used was the one before the St. Omer borough council diverted the left hand road shortly after the battle to avoid a colony of lesser spotted upside down drowning geese and my map shows the road as it was during the battle before the diversion. I think it was this actual battle that made the geese an endangered species because most of them were spit roasted after the battle. Anyway moving on...



From what I’ve read the Flemish army was ill disciplined and most of them didn’t want to be there that’s why a lot of them are D class and Robert of Artois and his subordinates are poor. According to Sumption “Robert was an old man and as a military commander he was brave but incompetent”.

I decided to go with the historic deployment and also the timings for the arrival of the French. The Omer Garrison was first on the scene and if any of you read the link to the article I sent you, you will know that after 4 hours of sitting around and with orders not to attack they took things into their own hands, burst out of the gates and headed towards the Flemish, so they were the first to appear on the table.

I started the game by pulling an FMD card and then I thought, Dice! I know I’ll use red dice for the Flemish and blue for the French, you know what’s coming don’t you. Grabbing hold of my dice jar I poured the contents onto one of my work tops and then to my horror I noticed that there were only two red dice, damn that Newman I thought waving my fist into the air, white dice it is then.

Okay its Picture time.

Meanwhile on the Flemish right flank the Count of Armagnac turns up and with Robert of Artois looking helplessly on he punches his way through a unit of Flemish spearmen chasing them all the way back to the Flemish camp never to be seen again!

It was at this point that I realised that even though the French were having the better of it their army was running out of steam. The Count of Armagnac was away looting, the Duke of Burgundy had at long last met his match in the face of the English and their damned Longbow and had perished as a consequence, and the St. Omer garrison was no more having turned itself into dog meat. The Flemish army had to take a 30% army morale test which they passed with flying colours so that made things even harder for the French.

However, considering that the French were facing 36 Flemish units against their 10 they did pretty well having routed 11 enemy units. For a solo game the Fred, Mike and Derek (FMD) movement system worked really well allowing me to move the units in quick succession and at the same time restricting any God like ability to react to every situation.

If I do the game at the club I will probably use the Rupert PIP (Paul, Ian, Philip) system which again restricts players in their ability to react to everything.

This week I might do Bovines 1214 again but use the historical set up or perhaps play test Bovines 1340, another 100 years war what if battle. The next page shows the battlefield at the end if the game.

Self Hibernating Campaign - 1861, Manassas Update

By Roving Reporter: Seymore Fields

The Battle at Manassas is won! The Confederacy has bought its-self time to reach out to other like minded nations and establish ourselves on the word stage..

Georgia
Hussars

Alabama
Hunters

The day was full or remarkable events and bravery by our Southern soldiers, to call out just a few would be churlish but who can forget the Mississippian brigade standing firm on Henry House Hill, lead by General Roscoe P. Coltrane. Others under severe pressure were rallied by shouts of.

"See Coltrane, he's sticking to that ground like a Mississippi Mud Pie!"

Then there was the Virginians fighting tooth and nail for their home state, fighting Yankees form Vermont and weathering a cavalry flank attack without flinching.

But most glorious of all was the charge of the Georgia Hussars, clearing those Green Mountain horsemen from the Virginians' flanks with such elan!

"Hurrah! The Hussars!" shouted the Virginians and we repeat the same here, in this august journal.

Word has it hat General John Henry De Lamar Clayton is re-enforcing his Hussars with a new batch of recruits and that he is raising a second Hussar regiment from Alabama, known locally as the Alabama Hunters, to complement his fine legion.

Self Hibernation Campaign - General Holt-Oglethorpe Speaks out

 

After the throws of bloody battle General Holt-Oglethorpe of Vermont has spoken out to the soldiers and people of Vermont...

“Fellow Citizens of Vermont.

Yesterday you laid down your tools, your pens, and your cares to take up arms for the Just Cause. You left Wives, Sweethearts and loved ones at home to face the enemy in the field.

That you did and Today you can stand tall, stand proud and stand together, knowing that although Victory was not ours the enemy has not beaten us and now knows as time goes by we will grow stronger and they weaker. They sought to break us and they could not, they tried to make us run and they could not. The Butcher has given us his bill, which we accept without complaint as no man could ask more of you than was given this day.

Know also this, all those that found themselves feint of heart will be received back without rancour, shame or derision and  all I ask in the next engagement you look to your comrades  who stood and took the enemies best as the model for future. There will be many a sad letter home giving the most grievous of news, but our fallen comrades will for ever be  remembered in the Vermont Brigade Honour Roll established this day. When this war is over it will serve as reminder to all that there is no more noble a cause as ours, and  Victory will fall to the JUST CAUSE!!”

Holt Oglethorpe the proceeded to tour the Brigade to meet those of particular note of all ranks and promote those showing  leadership and valour. Further all Regimental commanders are to assess the strengths and weaknesses of their units, and look to the welfare of the men first before their own.

Vermont Soldiers after the battle

Self Hibernation Campaign - 1861 - Bull Run / Manassas Battle report

INTRODUCTION
Dawn breaks in Virginia, some miles north of Richmond, astride a seemingly insignificant stream, two slumbering armies stir. Breakfast is hastily cooked, NCOs and Junior Officers tart rushing about trying to look busy and knowledgeable about what the coming day will bring.

To the south of the stream, keen eared pickets can make out a few works of a popular campfire song ringing out.

“Away down South in the land of traitors,
Rattlesnakes and alligators,
Right away, come away, right away, come away”.

Somewhere south of the stream, other southern troop respond with their own song.

“Our Dixie forever!
She's never at a loss!
Down with the eagle
And up with the cross!”

Suddenly drums start to beat, trumpets roar into life and the camps up and down the length of the stream burst into real activity, it’s not yet 6am.

INITIAL DEPLOYMENTS
North of the Bull Run Creek, Heintzelman deployed his III Division of the Union Army of North Eastern Virginia, with the agreement of is Brigade commanders. General Holt-Oglethorpe, taking a leading role in this area due his previous military experience in Europe and his basis skills in German – making him ideal in communicating to his German superior officer.

On the Union right wing are deployed the Green Mountain Vermont Brigade, under Holt-Oglethorpe’s command, in a T-BONE2 formation, with defend orders and the 1st Vermont Cavalry on the extreme right, looking for a chance to exploit their position.

In the Centre, the ‘Italian Stallion’, General Starbuck, deployed his State of New York brigade in a line of battle with defend orders

On the Union left wing are General De Krackere’s Iowa Brigade, deployed in a attacking T-BONE2 formation with a view to try and tur the Rebel right wing and get in amongst their reserves.
Behind the front line is positioned Bank’s Massachusetts brigade, with Reserve orders but with Banks personally displaying massively aggressive stance. The two infantry regiments formint the crossbar of the T-BONE2 formation and his cavalry forming the base.

To the south of the creek, the Confederates of General Johnson’s Army of the Shenandoah, are formed up as follows.

On the left wing are General Green’s Virginians, in a T-BONE2 formation with the artillery placed centrally, all with aggressive defend orders.

In the centre, General Coltrane has his Mississippian brigade in line of battle, whilst to his right is General Kirby-Smith’s brigade of Marylanders, Tennesseans and Virginian mongrels, formed in a T-BONE2 formation with aggressive defend orders.

Finally in the rear, reserve are Clayton‘s Georgia Legion, again in a T-BONE2 formation with infantry to the front and the Georgia Hussars to the rear with a ‘sweeper’ role to mop up any dangers.

06:00 – 08:00 AM
“Fire Peter, Fire Paul” bellows Captain ‘Jubilee’ Jackson of the Hazard Mississippi Battery as they erupt into life, joining other rebel cannons in response to the Artillery bombardment initiated by the Yankees north of the river.

With both armies well positioned in defensive cover and awaiting the other side to take the initiative, the impact of these artillery exchanges was not as effective as might have been hoped. However, they continued without rest for most of the rest of this fateful day.

Overall the rebel artillery slightly out gunned their northern counterparts in this somewhat equal contest.

08:00 – 10:00 AM
As nerves settled in each army and the commanders and their men began to get used to being under fire, orders and leadership began to kick in. Each side stepped up their aggression and initiated firefights along the length of the line. Some units performing better than others.

Coltrane’s Mississippians poured withering fire into the Snob Nosed Yanks that stood before them and in return took little effective fire back. On the Rebel left, however, the opposite was true, with the Vermont Green Mountain Boys executing their orders and drills effectively, it is General Green’s readership and aggression that saves the day here.

On the Union Left General De Krackere’s Iowans are facing Kirby-Smith’s brigade and the initial shooting from the southerners is accurate and enough to shock the 5th Iowa, stopping them in their tracks. Luckily it appears De Krackere, is not just ‘all talk and no walk’, and he decisively inspires his men under heavy fire, managing to stabilise the line.

10:00 – 12:00 AM
Just before lunch the crunch time has arrived. De Krackere, having stabilised his line orders an attack on Kirby-Smith’s brigade ahead of him, the 7th Iowa surges forward but the 5th Iowa, remains behind. Thinking on his feet De Krackere is able to pull his supporting 10th Iowa regiment forward with him to assault the Rebs, during this period De Krackere, was struck by flying debris and took a light had wound.
This is the Union ‘hightide’, 5 casualties are inflicted on Kirby-Smith’s brigade and the same taken back in return as troops clash in hand to hand fighting, many men were captured on each side. In the centre, the fierce firefight between the Mississippians and New Yorkers continues with roughly equal casualties each side but the Yanks just getting the better as the 1st SNY Infantry get into their groove inflicting 4 casualties on the 3rd Mississippi alone. However the 2nd SNY Infantry had had enough and started to withdraw, whilst General Starbuck seemingly being unable or unwilling to stop them.
On the Union right flank, Holt-Oglethorpe dispatched the 1st Vermont Cavalry to sweep in on the flank of the 20th Virginia, where their firing line inflicted a casualty unopposed. Meantime the 20th & 24th Virginia continued their firefight with the Vermont boys – again a pretty equal affair.

12:00 – 14:00 PM
After a brief picnic lunch, hostilities resumed. (Really!?)

The most spectacular move being the charge of the Georgia Hussars to clear the 1st Vermont Cavalry form the flanks of Green’s Virginia brigade, in an action that will be written about in years to come.
Fighting along the whole front continued a pace, with a number of units deciding that they’d had enough, on the Rebel left the 24th Virginia withdrew and were replaced in the line by the 25th Virginia. In the Centre the 3rd Mississippi also withdrew, requiring General Clayton to dispatch his 56th Georgia from the reserve to plug the gap and on the Rebel right the brave Marylander’s stepped back, to be relieved by the 10th Virginia. Somehow at this stage Clayon was hit in the arm by a pistol ball, inflicting a light wound.

On the Federal side, things looked bad in the centre, having already 1st and the 2d SNY Infantry their sister regiment, the 3rd SNY Infantry, also stepped back, requiring Banks to deploy his infantry regiments into the centre to help stabilise the line. As Starbucks men withdrew, he was wounded in the back and they left behind a field gun, that was later captured.

On the Union left, De Krackere’s 5th and 7th Infantry regiments had both had enough and the 10th Iowa took another pasting form Kirby-Smith’s units in a new firefight. Only bright spot here was the previously mentioned forced retirement of the Marylanders.

Finally, on the Union right the 1st Vermont, stepped back from a vicious firefight to be replaced by the 3rd

14:00 – 16:00 PM
The ‘End Game’ became clear as the early afternoon rolled on towards teatime, Union regiments stepped back from the line across the board, leaving only token resistance in the right and centre – where the reserve had been deployed to hold what was left of the line.

Starbuck and his New Yorkers had left the field earlier and replaced by Bank’s brave Massachusetts men, to the left De Krackere’s Iowans had been fought to a halt and then completed a managed withdrawal and on the Union right only the 3rd Vermont was still able to hold the line.

Opposing them where still six viable units across the length of the battlefield. Artillery cannonades continued as the armies parted, both too damaged to put together a serious pursuit, although the northerners were panicked by rumours of the dreaded Georgia Hussars being on their tails, the reality was both sides had to lick their wounds. It was a win for the South, who live to fight another day!

Self Hibernation Campaign - Replacements Example

Everyone now should have seen a copy of the Bull Run / Manassas Battle Report, the accompanying Butcher's Bills and the impact of disease, replacements and Campaign rewards etc on each of your commands.

This is a worked example of how you can use the information you have been given to supply your friendly Camping Facilitator (Mike W) what you want to do next!

So you will have seen your Butcher's bill, in 1861 there will only be one battle so be thankful! After the battle we go straight in to the Winter season and disease will strike if you are not prepared, each unit will loose bases to disease until the men are experienced enough to stop crapping upstream from the kitchens or using dirty bandages to teat wounds etc.

You will have received a Disease and Replacements report looking something like this:

Unit                       Size     Quality        Disease Losses     New Size    Replacement Pool

Pennsylvania Brigade                                                                   7

          10^th Pa Inf       10        Recruit               2             8

          11^th Pa Inf       10        Recruit               3             7

          12^th Pa Inf       10        Recruit               2             8

               Pa Art        5        Recruit               1             4

So each unit will have lost bases to disease, additionally your military organisation has sent you a number of replacements for your Brigade, you can allocate these to build back the loses in your units.

So for example this Pennsylvania Brigade as lost 8 bases due to disease and he has been allocated 7 replacements by his superiors, he can build back his units's strengths to nearly the same levels by adding in new recruits. Adding too many recruits to an existing unit that is depleted in numbers may impact their morale and experience levels

OR he could create a wholly new unit to join his brigade, either Infantry or Cavalry, with 7 bases , but they would all be Cautious Recruits.

The same Pennsylvanian Brigade has also been awarded EPIC Points and Campaign Rewards, something like below, these should be spent with EPIC Point sbeing converted into Experience or Charisma Points for the commander or spent enhancing the Brigade's capabilities.

Pennsylvania Brigade - Hampton awarded 1 EPIC POINT ( Stalwart  Defence)                                                                                                                        

New Artillery Pieces. 2 x Lt. Rifled Guns OR 2 x Additional Replacement                                  

SEEN THE ELEPHANT, One unit improved to VETERAN Status OR 1 x Additional Replacement

PRIORITY. Your Force Receives additional supplies and you get 2 additional Set-Up Points for the next Battle

PROVISIONAL REGT. Merge two smaller Regiments OR 1 x Additional Replacement

NAME IN THE PAPERS. Your exploits in the last battle have inspired the nation. +4 Epic Points

Here the brigade commander can claim additional guns, enhance his units further or re-organise existing  units. Most Campaign Rewards can be converted into additional replacements so this brigade could potentially claim an additional 4 replacements.

Unused Campaign Rewards are lost prior to the start of the next battle

Contact Mike to discuss valid options...

Self Hibernation Campaign - Summer 1861 - The Quiet before the storm

By New York Times Correspondent: Hardy Kenwright

The Iowa ‘Ten Dollars’ Brigade - The Quiet before the storm

Brigadier General De Krackere reported today that Dr. Andy Wiversaw has completed setup the Brigade Hospital ahead of today’s action. The A large yellow flag marked with a two foot green letter H in the centre marks out its significance to all.

A number of light carts and ambulances have been assembled ready to transport patients to the Hospital. Further vehicles are available to take stabilised wounded up the track to the Warrenton Turnpike and from there to Centreville.

Meanwhile, on ground to the west of the Hospital a number of long pits have been prepared by a team of men led by brothers Doug and Phil Graves.

Brigadier General De Krackere added that Assistant Surgeon, Dr. Dickie Tumey, together with spare members of the Regimental Bands has positioned themselves, behind the Infantry Regiments, to be ready for when called forward. Each man wears a yellow armband.

Union Hospital Flag

Whilst the men grabbed an early breakfast and hot coffee, Chaplins, Rev. Evan Ellpus and Rev. Neil B. Formey went amongst them to give words of comfort and solace. They expect to be busy today, both in the field and in the Hospital.

The men are formed up, with food in their belly and extra ammunition issued they are keen for the off. The waiting is getting unnerving, they wonder to themselves how they will cope under fire, all praying that they won’t be the one to crack and let the boys down. All that drill, all that training, learning repetitive actions that they feel that they can now do in their sleep, all those blisters and bruises, all the preparation has led them to this morning.

The Guns are loaded, the crews working together like clockwork. All is quiet, the peace occasionally broken by bird song or the whinny of a horse.

The Iowans in Line of Battle

Brigadier General Paul De Krackere has returned for the morning Staff briefing and taken position with the Brigade.

Secretary, John Dupryting is alongside ready, to take down further instructions as required, whilst Aide-de-camps Howard Kenitby and Frank Lee Ewesless stand poised by their fresh mounts ready to deliver them.

We await the signal to begin.

Self Hibernation Campaign - Summer 1861 - more Units of Note

So on the eve of our first Campaign Battle this report finds time to highlight more of the interesting units that have taken the field for their respective causes.

For the southern cause a Brigade of Virginia Infantry have taken the field, whilst their uniforms are largely regulation, these two regiments are have some uniqueness.

20th Virginia Infantry

The 20th Virginia, AKA Heck's Regiment, wear regulation uniforms with grey jackets and sky blue trousers but they all wear butternut kepis.

25th Virginia

The 25th Virginia, all wear grey frock coats, piped and faced in sky blue, with grey trousers and black slouch hats.

These boys are defending their home state and are sure to put up one 'Heck' of a fight! Especially as they've heard about the brigade of 'Snob Nosed Yanks' that are in the lines, somewhere opposite them.

 * Snob Nosed Yanks = State of New York

Self Hibernation Campaign - Summer 1861 - Brig Gen Roscoe P. Coltrane stirs into life...

Left - Brig Gen Roscoe P. Coltrane
Standing Right- Col JW Pepepr
Seated Right - Lt Col. Justice
Standing Left - Trooper

Just after 7pm on 20th July 1861, near to a creek called Bull Run in Virginia, Brig Gen Roscoe Pee Coltrane, commander of the soon to be infamous Hazzard Brigade of Mississippi, is settling down by his tent to enjoy some locally procured meat from a nearby farm (farmer Giles did complain at first but some Yankee dollars kept him happy)  and a glass of two chilled Alabama Rose wine. With him are his regimental commanders, and the commander of the artillery. 

Roscoe "Ah hope ma boys will do well tomorrow, this will be their first time in action. We've come all this way to fight the blue bellies and ah want the folks back home in Hazzard to think well of us"

The 1st Mississippi's leader, JW Pepper, leaned back, finished the wine and got one of his huge seegars out "There's no worry there, Genrall, mah boys will hold firm"

Roscoe : "Bah the way, Jubal (the artillery captain), how's your guns? Already for tomorrow?

Jubal " My little babies are already and rady to fire,sir..as you know, mah guns are name after the disciples... Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, they sure will do bark out the Lord's word when the time comes"

"Amen to that", replied Roscoe.

Suddenly, a rider came galloping up to the tent, and a dust covered trooper leapt from the horse and stood to attention, saluting the officers.."Begin ya pardon, Genr'll but ah have some news from Hazzard, just come over the wire to Manassas"

Roscoe sighed "Let's have it, boy"

The rider advanced a few paces, and bent down to hand Roscoe the note. The rider stood up, and remained to attention. Roscoe opened the note. 

Lt Col Justice, the 2nd's leader leaned forward "Everything ok, Genr'll?"

Roscoe, having read a few lines, sighed out loud. He screwed up the note paper and threw it in disgust onto the dirt. "Ah knew it, ah jest dang well knew it. No sooner do we leave Hazzard, and that darned Duke family start causing trouble. Trooper, go back to the telegraph office, get them to send a message back to Hazzard, and tell that dipshit mayor, Boss Hogg, had better get it sorted or I'll be back maself! 

"Now git!" Roscoe slumped back into his chair "Son of a bitch", he whispered.

Self Hibernation Campaign - Summer 1861 - Brigadier Hugh I.E. Green's Virginians sing

Brigadier Hugh I.E. Green

Being a fire & brimstone preacher, Brigadier Hugh I.E. Green feels that the men from Virginia must respond to the music currently wittering across the valley from the ranks of General  De Krackere's Iowa Brigade.

Last night Brigadier Hugh I.E. Green penned a little ditty and said to this reported that   "Even if I say so myself, it’s feels quite a catchy little number. Hopefully it will catch on".

Words of the song:

Our flag is proudly floating

On the land and on the main,
Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom!
Beneath it oft we've conquered,
And we'll conquer oft again!
Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom!

CHORUS:
Our Dixie forever!
She's never at a loss!
Down with the eagle
And up with the cross!
We'll rally 'round the bonny flag,
We'll rally once again,
Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom!

Self Hibernation Campaign - Summer 1861 - Paul De Krackere's Iowans bring the joy of music

Brigadier General Paul De Krackere's Iowa Brigade now boasts a full marching band, under Drum Major, Juan Toofree has been busy leading training of the Musicians of the three Regiments. Whilst standardisation and coordination of signals has been key to avoid confusion between units, the musicians have been playing joyous melodies in camp and this newspaper can report the current favourite is the 'Union Dixie'

Iowa Brigade Band

Lead Musicians from the Brigade Regiments, Tom Brone, Ken U. Herviss, Will Thiddle, Rusty Brigadier General Paul De Krackere has readily agreed to.
Horne, Evan Leigh Arps, Juan Mannband, Plato Lowe and Ivor Goodear, are responsible for ensuring standards are maintained. Juan Toofree has also suggested adopting the ‘Union Dixie’ as the Brigade Song. A suggestion

Drum Major, Juan Toofree

Away down South in the land of traitors,
Rattlesnakes and alligators,
Right away, come away, right away, come away

Where cotton's king and men are chattels,
Union boys will win the battles,
Right away, come away, right away, come away

Then we'll all go down to Dixie,
Away, away,

Each Dixie boy must understand
That he must mind his Uncle Sam,
Away, away,

And we'll all go down to Dixie
Away, away,

And we'll all go down to Dixie

I wish I was in Baltimore,
I'd make Secession traitors roar,

Drum Minor, Johny Clemm

Right away, come away, right away, come away

We'll put the traitors all to rout
I'll bet my boots we'll whip them out,
Right away, come away, right away, come away

Then they'll wish they were in Dixie,
Away, away,

Each Dixie boy must understand
That he must mind his Uncle Sam,
Away, away,

And we'll all go down to Dixie
Away, away,
And we'll all go down to Dixie

Self Hibernation Campaign - Worked Example - How Battles Work

The am of this short post id to give an insight into how battles work in this campaign, best way to do this is in a worked example.

In this example an Ohio Brigade is attacking a defending Texas Brigade, all external inputs such as Brigade Commander commitment and Defend / Attack Skills are being ignored for simplicity sake - I'm sure you can imagine how these effect outcomes....

The Texas Brigade has DEFEND Orders, Aggressiveness 4 basis Divisional Orders. By this the Divisional commander has committed his subordinate to defend his zone and expects them to hold against all but a Psycho Attack.

However, the Brigade commander may take a different view, he deploys his units in a T-BONE2 formation with two units in the firing line with DEFEND orders, aggressiveness 3 and the third unit in the second line with RESERVE orders, aggressiveness 4 as he wants to allow his brigade scope to with draw if the going gets hot.

Condererate Brigadier would list this to Campaign Moderator as:

Unit A (1st Ohio), DEFEND, Aggressiveness 3

Unit B (2nd Ohio), DEFEND, Aggressiveness 3

Unit C (3rd Ohio), RESERVE, Aggressiveness 4

ARTILLLERY, DEFEND, Aggressiveness 3

Opposing them the Union Divisional Commander has assigned his brigade commander ATTACK orders, aggressiveness 3. He wants a good effort at taking the Union position but not to be reckless about it.

His Brigade commander is looking for a bit of personal glory so he deploys his brigade in ATTACK COLUMN formation with the front unit with ATTACK orders, aggressiveness 4 and the other two units in rear ranks with SUPPORT Orders, aggressiveness 3.

Union Brigadier would list this to Campaign Moderator as follow:

Unit A (1st Ohio), ATTACK, Aggressiveness 4

Unit B (2nd Ohio), SUPPORT, Aggressiveness 3

Unit C (3rd Ohio), SUPPORT, Aggressiveness 3

ARTILLERY, ATTACK, Aggressiveness 4

 Let the Attack begin!

Attacking Unionists are fired at as they close on Defenders, the 1st Ohio takes 2 casualties but inflicts 4 casualties on defending 2nd Texas.  Attacking 2nd Ohio takes 3 casualties but only inflicts 2 casualties on defending unit 1st Texas

Defending Unit 2nd Texas has had enough and withdraws through the Reserve Unit 3rd Texas.

Attacking Unit 1st Ohio and Defending Reserve Unit 3rd Texas engage and the defenders inflict 3 casualties, whilst the Attacking unit fights back with 4 casualties inflicted on Defending the Texans. The 2nd Texas holds on, just, but the 1st Ohio withdraws.

Meanwhile Attacking unit 2nd Ohio engages with Defenders 1st Texas, inflicting 3 casualties and taking another 3 casualties themselves. Both Defender and Attacker withdraw.

Attacking unit 3rd Ohio with SUPPORT Orders can continue to press forward but Defending Unit 3rd Texas with RESERVE Orders gives ground to cover the brigades retreat.

The Rebels take the disputed Zone but are likely too weak to push on further.

Obviously this is  much simplified battle resolution mechanic, without face to face, tabletop interaction its the best that can be achieved. In bigger battles there will multiple brigades per zone and complexity will increase.. 

Once the battle is resolved, you will receive the Butcher's Bill and it will be time for each of you to extrapolate how ell you did in the battle and argue your position for replacing incompetent or injured superior officers.

Remember all is fair in Politics and War, and why is he called the Italian Stallion!

Self Hibernation Campaign - Summer 1861 - The Italian Stallion

The New York Italian community has rallied to the Union Cause and raised enough recruits to supply a Brigade to the Union Army, lead by the 'Italian Stallion' Brigadier General Nathaniel Starbuck.

Each of the regiments in this magnificent military organisation have distinctive uniforms, which will make them the envy of all other brigade commanders. Many of the men are many veterans of the recent Garibaldi Wars and a number are not even Italian!

The units are -

1st State of New York Infantry, AKA Syracuse Chasseurs

Wearing Blue Frock Coats, piped and faced in Red, this regiment wears 1856 Patter US Army Shakos with pride. As well as carrying the National an New York State colours each regiment also carries an Italian Tricolour

2nd State of New York Infantry, AKA The Utica Devils

This regiment also wears Blue Frock Coats, however this time piped and faced in Yellow, the city colours of Utica, where the majority of these recruits were born. This regiment wear US Pattern Hardee Hats as a distinction.




3rd State of New York Infantry, AKA The Rome Angels

These are the most cosmopolitan of the three Regiments, many of their number are in fact not Italian, rather Swiss, German and French. Uniform consists of a blue Frock Coat, piped and faced in green and on their heads they wear a tassled green stocking cap.

Nathaniel
Starbuck

At their head is the Italian Stallion himself, heart-throb to New York's fair society - the dashing Brigadier General Nathanial Starbuck, himself an Italian immigrant just 10 short years ago, before building his coffee business in his new country.

Self Hibernation Campaign - Summer 1861 - Paul De Krackere shows the way

By New York Times Correspondent: Hardy Kenwright

Just days after arriving in camp, Iowan philanthropist and later day defender of the Union has been using his wide knowledge of military matters to help drive efficiencies in all aspects of the Army's organisation.

When interviewed by this august reported, Brigadier General De Krackre explained,

"I have been in camp for 5 days now and accessed the situation. I advised my superior officer of some of the short comings of how the military machine is currently working and I have set my staff to work to improve everyone's lot.

I see the focus areas as being Poor communications, lack of Training at Brigade and Regimental levels, the need to build reconnaissance capabilities, shortages in supplies and the explainable diversion of recruits to other formation."

7th Iowa in Square Formation

Brigadier General De Krackre has again taken the initiative in each of these areas as follows.

Major Jump, of 7^th Iowa Volunteers, continues to supervise inter-regimental brigade drill using the new field manual by General Warren Peece. This includes work on improving cooperation between Infantry and Artillery.

Additionally, Major Jump is ably assisted in recruit training by our Drill Sergeants -

Hartley Moothing, Jim Nastic, Wallis Twohigh, Randy Marrafon and Mark Thyme

Scouts DeVue, Cowt and Astermap
with their Man Servants in attendance.

In a separate initiative, Brigadier General De Krackre  has recruited three former Frontier Scouts from newly organised Sioux County in North West Iowa, as such Ron DeVue, Lou Cowt and Hugh Astermap are now members of ‘C' Company of the 5^th Iowa Chasseurs. They are leading Scouting lessons where they pass on their tracking skills to selected members of the other Companies in their Regiment. The trainees will, in turn, pass on what they have learnt to their comrades.

Just yesterday, Brigadier General De Krackre had his Provost Captain, Duncan Disordally write to Mr. Noah Moormen at the Iowa State Recruitment Headquarters at Des Moines and his superior Congressman Will Getmore in the State Government regarding the company of recruits, expected last month, but who have failed to arrive at camp. As it is our understanding that these men had all been paid their sign-on bounty, we are sure that Messrs Moormen & Getmore would wish to follow this up with some urgency. 

The new model De Krackre Supply Wagon,
being purchased by the Army, made in Des Moines, Iowa. 

The letter stated that we ‘hope’ that this is merely an administration error due to the rapid expansion of the department, however the alternative explanations of desertions by the recruits or even fraud and embezzlement within the department must be thoroughly investigated. At this early stage in the struggle such behaviour behind the lines cannot be tolerated and if discovered must be properly punished.

Turning to supply issues Brigadier General De Krackre set the  Brigade Train officer Orson Kart, and assisted by my personal Banker Titus Canby, to liaise with two of the main Sutler contractors, Scott Chansodar & Bruce Dapples to ensure a priority supply contract for their services to our Brigade.

Orson Kart and Titus Canby are both also working on our man in the Commissariat, Ivor Gunthar

The mysteriously missing Coy I
of the 10th Iowa Infantry

Evrimann, to lubricate the wheels of the military equipment and ammunition supply line.

Finally Brigadier General De Krackre  stated that he had set his Stableman, Don Keigh, is supervising the selection of suitable calm but swift mounts for my two aides-de-camp, Howard Kenitby and Frank Lee Ewesless.

They are also introducing themselves to the staff at Division and those of the other Brigades within it as well as ensuring they know all the Regimental and Battery officers of our Brigade.

Brig Gen.
De Krackre

Brigadier General De Krackre said "My Secretary, John Dupryting, is in discussion with his counterparts at Regiment, Brigade and Division to agree a standard of short-hand / abbreviation that they can utilise to speed up regular used phrases when writing messages". 

A fine and impressive start to Brigadier General De Krackre's no doubt stellar military career, its hard to beieve that just 21 days ago the then Mr De Krackre first donned his uniform.