Chancellorsville : Donald Featherstone Memorial Weekend

Two weekends ago, we gathered at the Wargames Holiday Centre for our annual get-together to remember Donald Featherstone and the immense contribution he made to our hobby.

This year, Mark Freeth had laid on a refight of Chancellorsville for our delectation.

Ten of us took part (five a side !).  Here's the view from "The Wilderness" end

This the view from the other end - the blue tiles mark the movements of Union troops, as yet undisclosed.

Forces were allocated, Generals appointed - I was a poor substitute for General Lee, the Confederate commander.

The Federals start to deploy - already in strength around an impressive plantation style house.

We Rebels had placed McClaw's 2nd Division opposite these Federals to keep them occupied

Even though we were heavily out numbered.

They put up a spirited fight on Day One and gave the enemy plenty to think about.

Meanwhile, much of the Federal army sheltered behind rail fences

With reserve brigades still undeclared on blue tiles.

Here we see one of the Federal Command stands with Corps flags

The numerous Union regiments stand two or three deep along the line.

A formidable sight !

We had placed Anderson's Division facing these troops and as soon as we advanced over the rail fencing a murderous fire hit our ranks - cotton wool indicates disorder.

More enemy are massed behind the woods 

We have just two divisions facing this horde whilst Jackson's Corps are away off making their flank march.

A Federal cavalry unit has "blundered" into our lines

and pays the price - they are wiped off the face of the earth !

McClaw's men hold the fence line firmly in the East.

They bear the brunt of the fighting right from Day One.

Here's the sketch map with our dispositions - the sooner Jackson can engage from the direction of B & C the better !

Here's the Union commander - Hooker with an ADC.

Union Brigades are withdrawn from the south line on hearing fighting further North.

Here's General Williams from Slocum's Corps

Is this the cause of the firing across the battlefield ?

Here's General Sickles with staff

A rebel yell goes up and a charge instigated !

but the Union lines are undented.

Lore Johhny Rebs try their luck

Jackson's men are in the Wilderness but the going is slow and troops get disorientated - a failed command throw can end up with the Union commanders sending Rebels heading in the wrong direction using these rules !

Here's Berdan and his sharpshooters

This clash is taking place north of the main action 

Not my finest hour - my Virginia Cavalry have charged a broken Union brigade in flank - and contrive to lose the melee - 9 dice against 2 and I bounce off and retreat !

Slowly, the pressure builds from the Wilderness - Rebel troops emerge from the tree line

but they have not reached this lot yet !

Charge !

Jackson is in there urging them on.

but we cannot penetrate the Union lines

Here, "Whiskers" has troops and guns engaging a stubborn Union held farm

Wherever we look, the ground seems to be covered with blue coats !

Melvyn has a torrid time fighting David's troops in the north

Again and again, we try to throw the men forwards

On the Saturday evening, it is our tradition to have a "jacket and tie" dinner to toast the memory of Don and listen to anecdotes by the likes of Chris Scott, who knew the great man well.

We hold a charity auction of war-games books and items, proceeds to Help for Heroes.

Watching the proceedings, the man himself with some of his awards and accolades from the world of wargaming.

Our genial host, Mark Freeth, in full flow !

Sunday morning saw us back at the Centre to carry on the conflict - the Rebels trying to take the fight to the Union defenders yet again

This is probably as close as we got to the main Union lines

Our brigades took terrible casualties trying to close with the enemy

They didn't need to commit their reserves !

and their guns pounded us from long range all day long

Yet another attack breaks down

The Union batteries broke up our infantry attacks quite successfully

One by one, our brigades "broke" due to excess casualties

We just could not get enough of Jackson's men into the fight quick enough and attacks were piece meal

A rare high point for the Rebels - "Whiskers" finally cleared the enemy from that pesky farm house which had defied two brigades of ours for hours !

Eventually, the Union were able to go on the attack as our broken brigades fell back before them

The Virginia Cavalry try and screen our retreating army - sad indeed.

Despite all, yours truly received a vignette of General Longstreet from Mark, having been voted the weekend's "Most Gentlemanly Gamer"  a rare event indeed !

We were unable to emulate Lee's famous victory but everyone had fun - another great Featherstone Memorial Weekend !