The Battle for Knutsville Crossroads : 1862

I finally got the American Civil War project onto the battlefield this weekend. A project that has been a long time in the planning so it was a real pleasure. We didn’t rush into anything historical although that will no doubt come later. Instead a smallish divisional battle somewhere in the Shenandoah valley with two roughly equal forces attempting to secure the strategically important crossroads.

The Union 1st Brigade lined up on the left flank awaiting the order to advance

On the other side of the main turnpike the Rebels have positioned two Parrot Guns on the only available high ground

More Rebel infantry close to the church

Including a Regiment of Louisiana Zouaves

The Union 2nd Brigade are on thee right flank

The Rebels have a third artillery piece set up by the church

....and have an independent cavalry Brigade covering their right flank

After the first couple of turns the Union Forces have taken the initiative advancing over the turnpike and deploying into line, unfortunately this means the flat ground they have positioned their artillery has made them almost totally ineffective !

The Union right flank advancing

The Rebel line forms up looking to hold a more defensive position

The 2nd Brigade forms into line on top of the small hill by the log cabin .....but this brings them directly into line of the powerful Rebel cannons beyond the turnpike 

The Rebel guns make full use of the target practise !

In the centre the Divisional General (looking a little like Picket 🙂) has ordered two units to advance towards the barn

Coming under fire the Union 1st Brigade gets bogged down in the Wheatfield

At least the Wheatfield is giving them some cover

The Rebel Zouaves have assaulted the Union Regiment who were holding the road

Much of the Union 2nd Brigade has now been decimated by the cannon fire so the final NY Zouave reserve Regiment is pushed forward but across the road the Rebels are holding a strong position

Things are looking better in the centre where the Union general is advancing a unit towards the church trying to break the Rebel centre

The 1st Brigade is finally making some leeway 

But the Union right flank, is looking very vulnerable 

The hand to hand combat in the centre has continued for a couple of turns but the Zouaves are veterans and getting the better of it

Eventually they win the combat and the Union general appears to be referring to his orders to see what to do next ?

On the right the Rebels are starting to break through across the turnpike

And it is unclear whether the 1st Brigade will have the strength to break the Rebel right wing

We call a halt to the battle at this stage a hard fought draw 😀

A good battle and an excellent run out for the new ACW collection. I realise how much terrain I already have which works in this period, which is great. For rules after a lot of consideration we used my own adapted Bolt Action rules. These worked well and gave a reasonably good feel of ACW without having to relearn a complete new rule set. We’ll be trying some other options. Another game planned this weekend😀