Saturday 26 March 2022

The Battle for Figgins Farm 1863 @ Battlefields and Warriors

Tipping my hat to Norm’s Battlefield and Warriors blog he published a few weeks ago an ACW scenario the details of which can be found here https://battlefieldswarriors.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-fight-for-figgins-farm-1863.html I thought I would give the scenario a run out using my ACW collection and house rules.

Here is the scenario set up, two small advanced cavalry patrols are already on the table contesting the Farm. Both sides have two brigades which will enter at random locations. I used Norm’s updated option for  this following his test game which is slightly adapted from above. My rules based on bolt action required some minor amendments and as we have a time limited period to fight the battle I dropped the requirement for casualties to trigger brigade entry instead the first brigade of each side would enter turn one the second brigade on turn three. To be honest hits had already been caused at this stage anyway.
My setup translated from the scenario map, table is 6x4
Confederate cavalry commander Hollis already at the farm
Union Cavalry approaching the position from Crow Wood
The Union 1st brigade comes on in the centre of the battlefield allowing it to spread around the wheat field
Confederate 1st brigade similarly arrives in the centre they run forward towards the turnpike
Unfortunately a random event caused the Union raw recruits to immediately flee , not a good start 
Things are better in the centre where the cannon opens up effective fire against the advancing Rebels
Confederates have now formed up into line
The 2nd Brigades both arrive turn three, Union troops in the centre but the Rebels behind Figgin’s Farm itself
The Union general is now bringing superior number to bare on the Farm which is now being held by the dismounted Cavalry
Another random event causes the leading Union regiment to charge into the Farm under lots of circumstances this could have been disastrous but they are able after two turns to force their way into the building 
Once in though they are assaulted themselves and forced back out of the building
Although the Union army has numerical superiority they have that this stage gained many VP’s and the rebels are again in control of the Farm, at this point of the battle artillery on both sides is ineffective, but the Union generals push forward their reserves.
Finally the Union reserves are able to charge the cannon head on and on the left flank the Rebels have been forced back
Although the Rebels have the farm house they are now under pressure
We ended the game here a couple of Turns before the 12 turn game limit we had set. It was a tough fight but thenUnion forces are ahead with several Rebel units having been eliminated.

An interesting scenario, we felt the Union had the advantage from the start making their cavalry veterans made them really tough to chase away. I was also lucky to place the weakest Union  troops on the left where they had little combat. Nice as always to get the ACW collection on the table.

The weather has remained exceptional in the Uk so some more cycling on Friday 👍


Thanks for looking, KBO 

Matt

29 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks Neil it was a hard fought battle 🙂

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  2. Lovely battle. Have converted stig and Ian to 7yw. Both are up for getting Russians. Pendraken shop is nice, spent too much. Now have poles and ottomans. May expand to Great Northern War with Swedes and Russians

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    1. Glad the open day went well, when our car situation has settled I may come across for a trip, although I still have plenty of SYW to paint at the moment👍Russians would be good I may collect some or some french one day ?

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  3. Another beautiful looking table with Norms scenario providing an interesting game. The ACW collection looks magnificent too.

    Nice to see a traditional old style black and white road sign on your travels....obviously, your biking takes place on lower, flatter terrain than we normally see in your travel pics! We have friends who live in Whitehaven.

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    1. Thanks Keith nice to get the ACW collection out. We have plenty of those road signs around us….Cumbria is quaint like that some even more ornate. As to flat, it is almost impossible to go anywhere flat from Penrith I visited the Solway for just that reason as it is nice for a change. But it was fairly undulating on the way home 🚵🏻‍♂️

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  4. The usual beautiful layout Matt. I do love your North American tables. Lovely stuff.

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    1. Thanks Lawrence, lucky there wasn’t much architectural change in rural areas between 1760’s and 1860’s

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  5. A mighty fine adaptation there Matt

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  6. Nice report and a lovely terrain table.

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  7. Another inspiring action, Matt. Lovely table as always. Have you given Norm’s ACW rules a try? Good to see your bike posing for the photo.

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    1. Thanks Jon. No not tried Norm’s rules, tend to stick with my adapted bolt action rules they work well for this sized scenario.

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  8. A fine game there Matt. Always enjoy seeing your ACW collection in action.

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    1. Thanks David always nice to get ACW on the table

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  9. Another excellent looking battle Matt!

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  10. A lovely and sounding game Matt…
    Nice view of the beach as well…

    All the best. Aly

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    1. Thanks Aly…….beach more like mudflats but pretty all the same and the birds like them😀

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  11. Another great looking battle, Matt. Love the terrain and troop variety. Nice weather there too!

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    1. Thanks Dean, figures mainly Perry. We have had some lovely early spring weather

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  12. A superb looking game and AAR Matt. I do like the cotton wool puffs of smoke which look brilliant. I never remember to do this in my games. Glad to see you were able to get out and about enjoying the stunning weather of late!

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    1. Thanks Steve I use the white fluff that comes in the Perry figure boxes it is perfect for smoke. Seth are has been fantastic I hope we don’t pay for it later !

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  13. Great ACW action. I remember that scenario. I ought to give it a try as well one of these days. 😀

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    1. Thanks Stew. It worked out using our house rules although the rebels were a bit Unlucky

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  14. Great looking game - Union Cavalry the bane of a rebel's life.
    Nice to see you getting out and about.
    Cheers
    Stu

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    1. Thanks Stu, the cavalry remained dismounted as per the scenario, but Norm had them as Veterans which made them pretty tough to kill.

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  15. Splendid looking table and sounds like a good scenario, as it did on Norms!
    Best Iain

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    1. Thanks Iain worked fairly well with our rules although the Union troops perhaps started with an advantage ?

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