Another stab at Regimental Fire & Fury in 15mm. This time, both Union and Confederates are intent on capturing and holding a vital bridge, so a classic encounter game.
Here the Rebs arrive heading purposefully town the lanes
But Union troops are spied heading towards them
A Rebel battery moves up in support
Union infantry pass white snake fencing
Rebs deploy into a field and the Louisiana Tigers occupy some high ground behind them
More Rebel infantry arrive on the battlefield
As Confederate cavalry screen the approach to the bridge
Federal troops fan out on the left of the big barn
as their guns and more infantry take position the other side of the barn
The Union guns prepare to fire
whereas the Rebel guns are yet to get into position
The Rebel cavalry mount the high ground in front of the bridge
Union troops try an outflanking manoeuvre
but more Johnny Rebs rush down the lane to stop them
First fire from the Federal artillery
Just as the rebel cavalry charge deployed Union infantry below the hill
Undeterred by the infantry fire, the charge goes in
Union infantry in line in the centre await further orders
The rebel cavalry push the Union infantry back
and before they know it are upon the guns
Union officers desperately try to reform their scattered troops
Union troops attack across the snake fencing
watched by a staff officer
The Rebs throw back an oblique flank to face them
Rebel guns are dragged up the hill side
Meantime, the Confederate cavalry threaten the disordered Union troops behind the barn
but the undeterred Reb cavalry continue to attack anything near them !
and yet again scatter Union infantry before them
Confederate guns open up on attacking Federal infantry
As Rebel infantry wade in on their right
as Rebel regiments hurl themselves against Union infantry in the wheat field, centre of the battlefield
initially, the Rebels push back the Feds
and the Stars and Bars is flourished aloft
The unstoppable Rebel cavalry join in the wheat field fight
The high point for the South - Union troops falling back on all fronts
but the Rebels on the right then fall back
and the Union troops in the wheat field regroup
exhausted Rebel regiments recoil with heavy losses
and Union troops cross the fencing to attack in the centre
view from behind Union lines at the height of the action
Rebs retreat across the bridge
key to the Union victory was the combined effect of artillery and rifle fire on the enemy battery
resulting in such severe damage that the Confederates ordered the guns off the hill and withdrew them from the battle
so despite the early promise, the Rebels were worn down by the Union and a retreat the only way out for the brave boys from the South.
