Battle of Matthews Hill : Bull Run 1861 : ACW

For probably the last battle of 2019 we return to the ACW, a small scenario I found on the internet https://www.talesfromawargameshed.com/acw.html covering the morning of the 21 July 1861. The Union Forces are looking to outflank the Rebels along the line of the Sudley - Manassas Road. The confederates have a small Demi-Brigade under Colonel Evans who has taken up a defensive position on Buck Hill just to the North of the Warrenton Turnpike cross roads close to a well built stone House. Obviously I have adapted the scales and squeezed as much as I can in.

For the Union Forces Burnsides’ Brigade is in the lead New Hampshire and Rhode Island Infantry, all the rest of the Union force under Colonel Porter must enter along the Sudley Road but can then fan out as ordered. Their objective is to take Buck Hill and if possible the cross roads to open up the flank of the rebel forces further south on Henry Hill. Evans small force is holding Buck Hill and has called for reinforcements these will arrive at the cross roads determined by a dice roll so nothing is guaranteed !

The confederate holding force on Buck Hill, Evans seems preoccupied looking over his shoulder ? Where are the reinforcements he requested !

The Union troops are in a hurry to sweep the rebels aside, full of naive innocence they rush down the hill

The first unit is met by a tremendous volley and sent scuttling back up the hill

Evans’ men move down to the fence and give a cheer when the first support unit 2nd Mississippi Volunteer regiment runs up the road behind them

By the book ! Burnside starts to deploy and set s up his artillery on the crest of Matthews Hill

A shot from the side showing the steepness of Matthews Hill

.....but it is taking too long to deploy and due to good dice the Confederates are building a stronger and stronger force on Buck Hill

Just one of those period shots 🙂

A small unit of US Cavalry is sent left to try and turn the rebel flank 

But another reserve unit is on the Warrenton Turnpike

The Union Forces are back in good order and looking good at this stage, holding in the centre they are in danger of outflanking on left and right making the defence on Buck Hill useless !

Training, training, training that is what makes good artillery and the Union Forces have had none, they would be lucky to hit the stone house let alone the rebels !

It just requires one strong push through the centre .......

This picture tells a sorry tale, whilst in the distance on their right flank the Union troops are pushing through, they have had two Regiments wipes out in the centre one by devastating grape shot as it advanced across the wheat field in the centre.

Union cavalry now dismounted but all they can really do is harass the enemy flank

A final throw of the dice to break through the New York Zouaves advance down the road

Due to a miscommunicated order they are charged and a desperate hand to hand combat ensures on the road

Union Forces have rallied on the right but are seriously depleted, the confederates on the other hand are still holding a strong defensive position on the hill, the Union right and centre are in rout.

A very fun game, thought it would be easy for the Federals but poor rolling and a lack of speed allowed the rebels to build a strong defence. Their artillery was particularly poor so needs intensive training. Clearly this makes a mess of history with no final decisive battle on Henry Hill. I wonder what Jacksons' nick name would have been perhaps Thomas Jack Rabbit Jackson as he chased the Federals off the field and I guess he would command the Jack Rabbit Brigade ? Oh dear thanks for reading 🙂 and your support in 2019.