ACW Skirmish plus other stuff .......

Been short on time to blog so here is a game from a few weeks ago, my next SYW unit and an update on a Short cycling trip, some of you may wish to skip the last bit 😀 so first up a small ACW skirmish played in the virtual world, fairly small to introduce Martin to Rebels and Patriots rules. It was also an opportunity to get the ‘Red House’ on the table in a battle. The objective for both sides was to capture the cross roads before being forced to retire. Sadly I didn’t take too many photos.

The Rebel Infantry advance towards the cross roads just out of shot on their left is a single artillery piece

The union forces spread out, dismounted cavalry take up a defensive position behind the barn, whilst sharpshooters advance right up to the cross roads

Further infantry advance along the road

Confederate skirmishers occupy the Red House garden and exchange fire with Union Skirmishers in the woods

General advance towards the road

The Rebels have taken the Garden and a unit of Texan’s have pushed forward across the road, everything looking good for the Confederates

But somehow on the Rebel left, a unit of union Skirmishers have advanced into the Wheat Field and a lucky / well timed volley forces the Rebel artillery to withdraw, this triggers the Rebel left to collapse ! Which also triggers the Rebel commander to fail a morale test and flee the field, a pretty catastrophic  reversal of fortune.

The union cavalry hasn’t been involved in the battle.

........so with a sudden collapse the Union Infantry is able to surge towards the cross roads forcing the rest of the Rebels to flee.

A good game and introduction to the rules....hopefully we will be playing some bigger ACW games soon.

Next up my latest SYW troops these are Austrian Mounted Grenadiers. I put them on Black horses as I suspect they would bogey the pick of the crop.

Mounted Grenadiers (Dragoons)

 Cycling update below

Finally then part of the reason you have seen little evidence of blogging is I spent three days Cycling around Cumbria. The original plan had been to do this with some old friends from University but Covid put that on hold. So I set out solo. The route which is a recognised Cycling route is the ‘Lakes and Dales Loop’ and can be split into any number of sections. I covered it in three carrying my stuff and staying in a couple of local pubs.....I was blessed with mainly good weather.

Lakes and Dales Loop 196 miles of beautiful Cumbrian scenery ...and quite a few hills !

Effectively I live on the route in Penrith so headed out anti-clockwise over very familiar cycling country....Blencathra in the background

Heading west across the north of the Lakes

......now heading south down the western fells and the Lorton Valley

The second day was MUCH harder as it cuts across the ‘grain’ of the hills with a lot of climbing but some wonderful scenery 

Lots of grey clouds but apart from the first hour it didn’t rain, after a brief view of the Sea you then head East to the Yorkshire Dales.

Day three heading North through the edge of the Yorkshire Dales....this is Bardon Dale

The route follows the line of the M6 through the Howgills

Before cutting east to Appleby and then north again along the High edge of the Pennines back to Penrith

Three days was tough with over 100 km each day. Total climbing according to my cycle computer 17,700 feet of accent ! Hopefully we will see some more cycle touring soon as I have a bit of a taste for it.

Keep well and safe 👍