ACW 1863 - a Sharp Practice game

Les Mills organised this one down at Essex Warriors today. And popular it was with 10 members trying to take part !

The scenery belongs to Les and most of the figures used, mine (Perry 28mm plastics in the main)

A force of Confederates are trying to stem a Union advance and have taken up defensive positions by a farm with advanced pickets by the church and woods to provide a warning

Here's two of the advance skirmishers by the church

This one is at the junction in front of the farmstead

Steve Clarke, Allan & Ian organise the Union attack (they would be joined later by some who couldn't get out of bed early enough on a Sunday !)  Or a major hangover in the case of Steve Nutt !

View from the Union end

The rebels snug in their farmstead

Did you hear anything ?

Oh! Oh! Blue bellies on the church road !

Shots are fired to warn the farm garrison as the first of the Union infantry appear through the early morning haze

and cavalry too 

In no time they are forming up across the rebel front

Alerted, the first Rebel troops emerge from the farm buildings

and the gunners from the barn to limber up

Ian is seen moving his troops up by the woods

The Rebel skirmishers delay their advance as best they can

Complicated formation this, Ian !

The Rebs get organised along the fence line

as more infantry are roused from their slumbers

Union infantry and cavalry are sent towards rocky ground on their right

Union officers try and organise their troops into easier controlled formations

The Union cavalry get a spurt on past the rocky ground

The Rebel skirmishers find their mark and cause problems for the foremost Union infantry unit

Here's the Union commander assessing his options

Ian's men enter the woods to try and outflank the enemy skirmishers

All the farm garrison can do is await developments

The skirmishers play cat and mouse with the enemy 

but weight of numbers will tell soon

Here we see the Union troops have consolidated a line level with the church and supports coming up

The rebel gun is wheeled into position in front of the farm house

These Union troops are just out of sight behind the slope so the gun can't get them yet

Are these Rob's glasses getting in the way of the cavalry fight which has erupted over on the Rebel left - yes Reb cavalry dashed on to prevent Union cavalry enveloping the Confederate flank

 The cavalry "bounce" off each other and gather their breath for another go

which comes all too soon

The first Union brigade advance over the crest facing the farm

The Rebs are ready for this but are outgunned in the first fusillade 

This Reb cavalry commander seems a bit too far ahead of his men if you ask me !

Ian's men have seen off the Zoave skirmishers by this stage 

The cavalry are at it again !

My problem is at this stage I have to leave as I have a flight to catch - so what happens next ?

I hope one of the players can tell me (and you) when I return as so far its all in the balance !

What a tease - bye, bye ...