Action in the Plattville Valley : ACW July 1863

What better way to finish the year than my own homage to my childhood inspiration. For most of you this scenario needs no introduction. For those of you unaware this is the ACW scenario from Donald Featherstone’s first and seminal book Wargames. I like many spent lots of my formative years looking at the black and white photos in the book in which the Action in Plattville Valley was a big part. No internet, no magazines no other books hard to imagine now. Anyway here is a single photo from the book.......we played with my modified Bolt Action rules which have held up now over a number of games, although I need to write down some of the details.

The final photo form the book, confederates holding on just at this stage to Plattville Church

Here is my set for the battle, slightly shrunk to fit a 6x4 table. I set up roughly at about turn 3 from the scenario with the remainder of the forces arriving on the table.

Union Forces immediately start to cross Bull Creek with the rest of their battleline stretching along Rabbit Rdige and Mole Hill

Rebel forces under the nominal command of Jubal Early advance through the Wheatfield and towards Green Ridge

I felt I need to keep close to the book so Union Forces moved its artillery onto Mole Hill, in the distance infantry advance through the Ploughed field

Plattville Church again keeping with tradition a battery is set up in the small cemetery 

Rebel centre moving quickly to capture Green Ridge

Union Cannon open up towards the church but have little effect

The bulk of the Union centre moves to cross Bull Creek slowing their advance but they would dearly like to capture Green Ridge

The 10th Iowa are pinned down trying to cross the bridge

The confederates take up a defensive position at the edge of the village 

At least two of the Rebel Regiments have captured Green Ridge

It will now be a challenge to chase them off

But with determination the 2nd Illinois push through the trees

Meanwhile at the church the rebel cannon has been knocked out opening the way for the Union right flank

Overview at this point

Now all that remains is for the 2nd Illinois to charge downhill give them the bayonet and swing round the rear of Green Ridge

My life in gaming ! at the moment seems to consist of such catastrophes, despite the advantage the Union forces lose the contest and flee back through the woods !

Finally the Iowa Regiment on the bridge are brought back under orders but they have lost a lot of men being trapped in the open and are a spent force 

Around Plattville Church as night falls the Union forces whilst making progress have not been able to make break through they had spent too much time trying to deal with the single cannon in the cemetery 

At this point the game ended, the Rebels had a clear if not overwhelming victory, they hold Green Ridge and the village whilst the Church is unoccupied by either side. The Union has lost all its artillery and whilst they have several units still on the field they don’t have enough to make a difference. A very enjoyable re-enactment. Our last game before Christmas but we might try to get one more in before new year 😀