Mathilda’s Field Part 1

Hi Team
Here's my latest Video Battle Report.
The genesis of this project can be seen here:  https://youtu.be/fprFkLrlJ2c
Essentially I've invited subscribers to my Channel (CYL TV) to offer up plans to fight this battle.
I got two takers. Norm from the UK has taken on the role of Confederate Commander and 'Old Grognard' (I suspect that's an alias) has taken on the role of Union Commander.
Norm has his own BLOG and you can find it at:
battlefieldswarriors.blogspot.com
Anyway,.. I'll let the video speak for itself.




UPDATE:

Here are Parts Two and Three

PART TWO

https://youtu.be/LQntfwxDj80

PART THREE

https://youtu.be/1GtOEpOqut8

PICKETT'S CHARGE! NEW ACW Rules from Too Fat Lardies,... well sorta.

Recently the team at Too Fat Lardies teamed up with David C R Brown of 'Guns at Gettysburg' and 'General de Brigade' fame to produce 'PICKETT'S CHARGE'!

Well I had a quick hit out with the new 'PICKETT'S CHARGE' (PC) Rules and I'll say right off the bat I'm impressed!

These are great rules that give a great feel for commanding a Division or Corps during the ACW.

LIKES

Command and Control:

A proper command and control system that places you in the situation of a Divisional Commander, having to prioritize where your main effort will be. Brigades are deployed with Regiments allocated places withing the brigade area and they (the Regiments) must remain there, unless a staff officer is sent to rearrange where Brigade within the Division can be redeployed. For example,...

The 1st Division will deploy its 4 Brigades as follows: the 1st on the right, 2nd on the left, the 3rd the center and the 4 behind the 3rd".

Now those Brigades must remain in that formation relevant to each other unless a staff officer is posted to rearrange the deployment.

In other words when the Division moves the individual Brigades maintain their positions (flanks, center, reserve) within the Divisional Deployment Area.

Artillery:

If you blaze away all day with your guns it wont be long before your gunners are fatigued and ammo is low. You are forced to prioritize your targets and make sure you have your guns ready to support the main effort, be that shooting in support of an infantry assault or "driving off the enemies guns on that thar younder ridge-line,.".

Sequence of play: both players are engaged throughout the game. no one is left sitting around.

Mechanisms:
Resolving firing and Close Combat is very simple. What else can I say. Essentially a Battalion will fire with two dice. If the Battalion is LARGE it receives extra Casualty Dice (CD) which give you a increased probability of doing some damage. Small Battalions fire with two dice also but on what is another table giving less brutal results.

Artillery Fire is particularly well modeled with an option to engage in ARTILLERY ASSAULTS reminiscent of Lee's effort of blowing a hole in the union lines prior to the Charge these rules are named for. And just like that event you will run a risk of 'Burning out' your gunners and their ammo if you are too cavalier with your artillery fire.

Another thing I loved was how Fire Disciple can fall apart and once that happens it important you get your Battalion / Regiment back under control as their fire will become less effective.

Fog Of War (FOW):
There is a very simple FOW mechanism built into the game. Brigades that are hidden simply have a Card placed on the table behind the hill or in the woods that they are deployed behind / within. When enemy come within sighting range they are revealed and troops deployed. OR
A staff Officer can be sent forward to scout the position and reveal to the Divisional commander what awaits his men,...

FRICTION: 
It is well inserted into the game. You can never be sure your orders will be obeyed. You can send staff officers from your HQ to pressure Brigade commanders to do as directed but you're never a certainty,...

PACE:                                                                                                                                                  

The game moves along at a brisk pace and play very quickly.

DISLIKES:

I can honestly say I can't find anything to dislike about these rules.

We played the Attack on the Sunken Lane scenario straight out of the rules, based on the Federal assault on the Sunken )Bloody) Lane at Antietam in September of 1862.
I played as the assaulting Union Division under French.

I decided to simply go 'up the guts' simply to see what kind of result the rules would produce.
Not surprisingly the Union troops took an utter pounding.
Of my 5 Brigades only 2 (the Irish 🍀 Bde and a Brigade of New Yorkers) managed to even reach the sunken lane.
Even then none managed to cross bayonets with the Rebs. The best result we achieved was to get a Regiment of New York Zouaves to crest the lane's near edge and pour in a single volley before being force to retire.

Tip for young players: it's not wise to deploy brigades one in front of another.
Deploy them side by side. Otherwise (as the Rebs at Shilo found out) you'll soon have a jumble of regiments from different brigades getting under each other's feet. And that sucks

These rules are extremely bloody and if you don't coordinate your attacks and successfully soften up an enemy which has terrain in his favour you'll be fortunate to have any success in the assault.
The command and control system, with its use of 'Staff Officers' to provide influence on your brigade commanders is a very simply yet elegant way of simulation command 'friction'.

The game moves along at a brisk pace and you never feel like a spectator.
Though your individual Regiments / Battalions are the maneuver elements it is the Brigade that is the formation of decision.

So how does PC compare with other rules?

I've never played 'Guns at Gettysburg' so I can't comment on that but I have played the well played and respected 'FIRE & FURY' (F&F) rules.
I would say (IMHO) that I prefer PC over F&F in so far as even though the focus is on the 'Brigade' the Regiment is still the fighting unit you're focused on with other regiments within the brigade providing support to the 'Lead Regiment'. In other words you Brigade needs to fight AS a brigade with attention paid to how the individual Regiments are deployed and if they are mutually supporting. A lone Regiment will soon find itself in deep KAKA.
Melee results are similar to those you find in F&F with the usual result being a repulsed attacker (in various stages of disorder) or the defender 'giving way' prior to any bayonets or clubbed muskets being used.
Even when melees do happen they are brief and bloody.
PC fits neatly into that place between F&F and Regimental
You can hear an Interview with the rules author with the chaps at MEEPLES AND MINIATURES HERE

Battlefield Accessories, All At Sea (and up the river)

Hi Team

Battlefield Accessories (BA) has been a favourite producer of Wargames terrain and models of mine for some time.

The team there have produced some outstanding models in the past and recently have been going from strength to strength.

No so long ago I approached Michael at BA to produce a ACW ironclad of the CSS Virginia type to use in some ACW scenarios I've been planning.

After all the River Fleets played a big part in that conflict.

BA has produced not 1 but 2 models for that conflict, namely an Ironclad, (City Class) and a steamer.

Now they have produced a ship for the Ancient period,...

I recently obtained a fantastic new kit from Battlefield Accessories!

Their very swish Roman Quiqureme galley!

The model can be purchased as a small or large kit.

The smaller model consists of a fore and aft section and hull section. 

The larger kit has two hull sections and a corvus (a device used by the Romans to grapple and board enemy ships).

Both models have removable banks of oars.

This is significant as it was a major tactic of the day to shear off your enemies oars to disable them.

The kits are all made from quality materials (3mm MDF), and the parts fit together very snugly and securely.

As with all BA kits, construction is intuitive however there are videos that are available for download via YouTube. I've included the link that will lead you step by step through construction of the kit.

This is a very superior option to written or printed instructions unless you live in a cave without access to the Internet. The fact the kits are only available via the Internet seems to negate that possibility,...

I've not included any photos here of the kit I've constructed as I'm in the process of 'pimping' my model, (painting and 'adding' some extra bits like ropes and shields).

However the video bellow shows you what a magnificent kit this really is:

https://youtu.be/mPS0XkuvbWs

Whilst there I'd recommend you look at the other kits that BA have, in particular the fantastic ACW vessels!

https://youtu.be/QFXNr5J_LS0

And

https://youtu.be/rIdPqLjvFJI

You can always subscribe to the BA YouTube channel and get the oil on all their fantastic kits.

Here's the link to the Battlefields Accessories online Shop:

https://battlefield-accessories.myshopify.com

Whilst there check out this beauty,....

Bloody Run. AAR number 6 in our LONGSTREET campaign

 

Hi Everyone

This is the 6th AAR in my LONGSTREET Campaign.

Stan and I fought this engagement over 3 weeks ago but due to some technical issues, (my laptop died) I've only now managed to upload the AAR.

We're now into the last battle of the year 1863.

The LONGSTREET campaign system sees 1 battle in 1863, 2 in '62, 3 in '63, 2 in '64 and one final battle in 1865.

The card decks favours the Rebs in 1861 and 1862. By 1863 the decks are evening out and the Yanks get the advantage from '64 onwards.

Obviously as the commander of the Federals I was keen to be moving into 1864.

So now we find ourselves facing the Confederates across a icy stream called 'Bloody Run' due to the rich red mud and soil of its banks.

It would soon be known as 'Bloody' Run for another reason,...



 

NOTE: Stan played the 'CONFUSSION' card and the men from Maine went retreating back across the run,...

After the battle the Union troops settled down on the southern bank and licked it's wounds as the Confederates withdrew south.
President Lincoln visited the Brigade two days after the battle and moved amongst the men with words of encouragement and thanks for their efforts.
In particular he praised the men from Maine, many of the officers of whom he had met before when the manned the heavy artillery around Washington D.C.
The Brigade also received reinforcements in the form of the 5th New York Volunteer Infantry.  
The Brigade now looked like this:

11th NY Fire Zouaves: Cautious Veterans (5 Bases)
1st Maine Heavy Artillery Regiment: Eager Veterans (6 Bases) HERO
The Utah Volunteers: Eager Veterans (6 Bases) 'OLD RELIABLES'
28th Massachusetts 'Irish': Seasoned Veterans (5 Bases) HERO
44th New York: Cautious Recruits (5 Bases)
146th New York: Seasoned Recruits (7 Bases)
5th New York Volunteer Infantry: Seasoned Veterans (6 Bases)

1st US Artillery: 2 x Howitzers
2nd US Artillery: 2 Light Rifles
5th US Artillery: 1 x 6 Pdr and 1 Howitzer
6th Massachusetts Artillery: 3 Light Rifles 
  
Major General Rawlins has 19 EPIC POINTS!

GETTYSBOROUGH! Longstreet Campaign Battle No 5

Hi Guys

Stan and I are up to game 5 of our Longstreet Campaign.

It's now June 1863 (the second of three played in 1863).

So far honours have been shared with two victories each.

Read On:

 

 

 

So another victory to the Union forces.
The bonus for me in this engagement was picking up 5 EPIC POINTS!!
Also, my man was promoted after this battle.
The Union Brigade now looks like this:

11 NY Fire Zouaves: Cautious Veterans 5 Bases
1st Maine Heavy Artillery: Eager Veterans 6 Bases with a HERO
The Utah Volunteers: Eager Veterans 6 Bases "OLD RELIABLES"
28th Massachusetts 'Irish': Seasoned Recruits 5 Bases with a HERO
44th New York Infantry: Seasoned Recruits 8 Bases.
5th New York Zouaves: Seasoned Recruits 10 Bases (Reinforcements)

5th US Artillery: 1 6Pdr smoothbore and 1 Howitzer
1st US Artillery: 2 Howitzers
6th Massachusetts Artillery 3 x Light Rifles

Major General Rawlins 16 EPs
3+3+3+2+5
Promoted to 3 EAGLES

Longstreet Campaign battle number 4

Hi Guys
Stan and I played the fourth game in our LONGSTREET campaign.
The date is now 2 March 1863 and the Union forces have had the better of the fighting winning the initial battle in 1861, losing early in '62 but bouncing back to a victory in late '62.
What follows is the After Action Report for game number 4.
Rawlins' Brigade was moving moving again in Confederate territory.
The Virginian countryside was yielding good supplies for the foraging parties. The new regiment (the 44th NY) had arrived as had the Rifle armed US 2nd Artillery. The 1st Minnesota had joined the Brigade back in late 1862 but hadn't fought at Damp Wood. Their Colonel had requested they lead the next attack the Brigade might be called on to execute. Little did he realise that Brigadier Rawlin had already identified the Regiment to be his main effort for the up coming battle.
The Brigade was tasked to secure the crossroads at the small town of Broadfordsburg.
As the scouts arrived back at Brigadier Rawlin's HQ is was apparent that they would have to attack the Confederates who were deployed behind a walled farm.

After the battle the Union Brigade now looks like this:

INFANTRY REGIMENTS

11th NY Fire Zouaves: Seasoned Veterans 6 bases

The Provisional 14th Brooklyn & 1st Marines: Eager Veterans 6 bases HERO!

1st Maine Heavy Arty: Eager Veterans 6 bases HERO!

The Utah Volunteers: Eager Veterans 6 base

44^th New York: Seasoned Recruits 6 bases 

28th Massachusetts infantry: Seasoned Recruits 10 bases


ARTILLERY TROOPS
5th US Artillery Company. 2 bases (1 6pdr gun & 1 Howitzer)
9th US Artillery Company. 2 bases (2 x Howitzer)
2nd US Artillery Company. 2 bases (Light Rifles)

Reinforcements:
44th New York Infantry: Seasoned Recruits 6 bases.
28th Massachusetts infantry: Seasoned Recruits 10 bases
6th Massachusetts Artillery Company:  2 bases (Light Rifles)

As for EPIC POINTS, Brig Rawlin's total is now 11 (3 from each previous battle and 2 for Broadfordsburg) and he had achieved one Promotion (after the 2nd battle).

There was some additional good news for the Brigadier. His Beautiful young wife had recently inherited a small fortune from an old uncle in New York. He was now WEALTHY (a extra biography card that would help in securing Promotion). She arrived at his HQ to deliver the news in person.

Furthermore the Brigade would have PRIORITY supplies for the next engagement and again the Federals had obtained some valued intelligence on the Reb's movements (a BROKEN CODE card).

Total EPs 11.
3+3+3+2+
Promoted to 2 Eagles (Brigadier General) 

Stan and I also decided on a new HOUSE RULE:

BAD SURVEYING: Can not used in the enemy deployment zone and can not be place in an area between a enemy and TARGETED friendly unit once that those units are within 16cm of each other.

Damp Wood! Longstreet Campaign Battle No 3.



The dawn broke over the small stream that ran along the front of the tree line before rolling into the leafy forest.

Men in blue coats quickly finished filling canteens and returned to their 'Colours' as drums beat a call to arms.
The Union troops finished badly cooked breakfasts and packed away tents.
After their defeat at 'The Cornfield' in June the Union Brigade had withdrawn north back to join Pope's Army of Virginia. They had not been present at the debacle at 2nd Manassas and had now become part of the Army of The Potomac.
The Brigade was now operating again as an independent Brigade tasked with defending the logistic centre near Boonsboro
Now as the Union army under command of 'Little Mac' went into action at Antietam Rawlin's Brigade was preparing to defend the town supplies concentrated nearby from a rouge Confederate Brigade that was approaching from the north west. Were they intending on raiding the supply depot or were they simply hurrying to the sound of the guns blazing away near Sharpsburg?
It really didn't matter why the Confederates were there, only that they were there and looking for a fight.

 

 

 Across from the federal position the confederate brigade prepared for battle. Their artillery was positioned so as to provide fire support to the massed Reb infantry. It was apparent to the union commander, Brigadier Rawlin, that about 3000 rebel infantry intended to advance on the center of the union line via the woods and broken ground in the center of the field of battle. The rebel cavalry appeared to be tasked with protecting the rebel artillery just in case the Yankees decided to go on the offensive, or maybe exploite some opportunity if it presented itself.
"We will keep the Marines in reserve" Brig Gen Rawlin gestured to an aide and his horse was brought to him. "I expect the Rebs wil fall on our center. The 1st Maine and the 11th New York will meet them. I will use both batteries to fire into the flanks of their assaulting columns as the come on as I know the will. The 14th Brooklyn will counterattack the left of the enemy attack and the new boys from Utah will strike the right. The cavalry will hold our right flank. Hopefully the 1st Minassota will arrive soon, but we need to be ready to fight this day without them. Those people over yonder mean to drive us off. They're arrogant people. Today we must stand firm"!
Rawlin settled into his saddle. "I'm confident we will prevail men, with or without Minassota".

 BELOW: The Rebel Deployment.

ABOVE AND BELOW: As the Confederates emerge from the small wood they are confronted with an unexpected swamp.
The 11th New York Volunteer Infantry 'Fire Zouaves' lead the charge against the Rebs! The 1st Maine supported them on their right flank!

 During this heavy fight Sergeant (SGT) Clements of the 1st Main (Heavy Artillery) sigle handly slew 4 rebs who attempted the carry away the Regimental Colours of his regiment. Grasping the large yellow flag he yanked it from the grasp of a rebel Corporal and swinging his rifle like a handspike clubbed the Grey uniformed man down. As three more rebs came up to claim the flag SGT Clements picked up a fallen officers sword and ran the first man threw before drawing his revolver and shooting the other two.

 

It was an tough battle for the Rebs. Even with my largest battion off the table, (the 10 based 1st Minnesota) it was always going to be hard for the Confederates to succeed in driving the yanks away.

After the battle both Brigades reordered themselves and recieved reinforcments and rplacements. As usual sicknes in the camps took as many lives as battle itself.

Brigadier General Rawlin formed a provisional Regiment out of the remains of the US Marines and the 14th Brooklyn with the three remaining companies forming a small 6 company Battalion.

The Utah Volunteers fought like demons, and were upgraded to 'Veteran' status.

News of the arrival of a small Regiment from New York and a 4 gun (2 base) Light Rifle Battery was very welcomed news.

As 1862 slipped into 1863, 'Rawlin's Brigade' now looked like this:

 

INFANTRY REGIMENTS

11th NY Fire Zouaves: Seasoned Veterans 6 bases

The Provisional 14th Brooklyn & 1st Marines: Eager Veterans 6 bases HERO!

1st Maine Heavy Arty: Eager Veterans 5 bases HERO!

The Utah Volunteers: Eager Veterans 6 base

1st Minnesota: Eager Recruits 10 bases

CAVALRY REGIMENTS:
6th US Cavalry: Eager Recruits 3 bases

ARTILLERY TROOPS
5th US Artillery Company. 2 bases (1 6pdr gun & 1 Howitzer)

9th US Artillery Company. 2 bases (2 x Howitzer)

Reinforcements:
44th New York Infantry: Eager Recruits 6 bases.
2nd US Artillery Company. 2 bases (Light Rifles)

As for EPIC POINTS, Brig Rawlin's total was 9. (three from each battle) and he had achieved one Promotion (after the 2nd battle).

Despite his success at this engagment no promotion was forthcoming.

Total EPs 9.
3+3+3+
Promoted to 2 Eagles (Brigadier General)

Stan and I also decided on a new HOUSE RULE:

BAD SURVEYING: Can not used in the enemy deployment zone and can not be place in an area between a enemy and TARGETED friendly unit once that those units are within 16cm of each other.

Longstreet Campaign Begins!

Hi

Finally I've got around to launching into a LONGSTREET Campaign.

My good friend Stan whom I've had many a MAURICE battle with (as you would have seen if you've followed the AARs on this blog) has agreed to be my opponent for the campaign.

I chose to be 'For The Union' and Stan obviously is the Confederate commander.

Before I begin an account of our first battle I'll list our ORBATS and some details on our respective 'Alter-Egos / Characters / Commanders.

Union Forces:

Rawlins's Brigade

Commanded By: Colonel Joseph Rawlin

11th New York Volunteers 'Fire Zouaves' 

14th Brooklyn 'Brooklyn Chasseurs' (Plus Two Companies from the 146th Zouaves)

Washington Marine Battalion (Plus Two Companies from the 74th Zouaves)

1st Michigan Volunteer Cavalry

5th United States Artillery 

All are EAGER RECRUITS with 10 BASES except for the Cavalry which have 8 BASES.

The ARTILLERY has 3 BASES; 2 Six Pounders and 1 Howitzer

Confederate Forces:

Detached 'North Carolina' Brigade from A.P.Hills Corp

Commanded By: ?

4th North Carolina

6th North Carolina

8th North Carolina

5th North Carolina Cavalry

Andrew's Maryland Battery.

All are EAGER RECRUITS with 10 BASES except for the Cavalry which have 8 BASES.

The ARTILLERY has 3 BASES; 2 Six Pounders and 1 Howitzer

July 20, 1861.

"The boys are holding up well. The march from Washington has been a good introduction to the rigors of war". Captain Puller commented to Major Richards, the commanding Officer of the U.S. Marine Battalion.

"Given how green they are they are doing better than I expected. None have fallen out and given all the dust we're chocking on its a small miracle. Being last in the line of march isn't what I expected either. Following in the wake of State amateurs! Who would have thought it"?

Ahead of the leathernecks trudged the Westerners of the 5th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry followed closely by the 11th New York 'Fire Zouaves' and the 5th Troop United States Artillery, the only other 'Regulars' in Rawlin's Brigade. 

Just in front of the Marines were the men of the 14th Brooklyn Infantry or the 'Red Legs' as they were being called.

The Brigade was under orders to cross the Tamera Run, a small easily fordable creek and seize and secure the Federal Armory at Harrysville before it fell into the Confederate's hands.

Unknown to them a Confederate Brigade of similar strength was heading directly for the same objective.

The Union Brigade was under command of Colonel Joseph Rawlin. Born in Virginia in 1816. The first born son into a family of  Cotton growers and slave owners he showed an interest in the Military and was accepted to VMI in 1835. He graduated 10th in his class and was appointed to be an Artillery Officer. He served in the Mexican American War where he gained a reputation as a very proficient gunner. He earned a brevet promotion to Captain at the Battle of Monterrey whilst serving in  Duncan's Battery. After the war with Mexico Joseph served in a number of posts as an Artillery officer.

In 1857 Joseph served under the command of Colonel Albert Sidney Johnston, commander of the US expedition that was sent to confront the Mormons.

At the conclusion of that expedition Joseph remained in the Utah Territory after meeting the strikingly beautiful Miss Raechel Harrywards, the daughter of a local blacksmith. They married and his new bride convinced Joseph to converted to Mormonism. Joseph soon became an influential member of the Salt Lake community and became a very successful sheep grazier.

In 1859 Joseph joined the Narvoo Legion with the rank of Captain.

When war between the states appeared inevitable Joseph returned east and was initially offered a commission within the Virginian Militia as an Artillery Major but his loyalty was to the Union. He traveled to New York and due to connections he had in the statehouse was given the rank of Colonel and command of a Brigade of predominately New York troops. His efforts in arranging the mustering of a future 'Mormon' Battalion of at least 1000 men went some way in helping to secure the military appointment, as did his very public stance on abolition and reputation as a successful officer and war hero.

Now the Union forces were closing in on their objective.

As the splashed across the clear cool creek known at Tamera Run a scout road up to Colonel (COL) Rawli with a report that rebel Cavalry and Infantry were ahead and were aware of the Federal troops presence.

"We will deploy our artillery on the road ahead! Between the small hill and that standing crop of corn. All units will deploy to the left of the battery except for the Marines! They will deploy in line to the right. I expect it will take the Rebs some time to get through those trees over yonder and when they do the young Leathernecks will hold them long enough. The Red Legs will move around to our left and drive the enemy's flank in. I want the Cavalry to cover their movement and then provide fire support when the attack goes in! The Fire Zouaves will cover the battery! Questions? MOVE OUT"!

  

ABOVE: Both My forces and Stan's troops 'Off Table' preparing to enter the fray.
BELOW: Details on my 'Character' COL Joseph Rawlin

The Battle commenced with my troops hurrying onto the Battlefield. The 5th US Artillery are deploying on the Harrysville Turnpike. Along side the battery is the 11th NYVI. The 1st Michigan Cavalry are moving off to the left screening the 14th Brooklyn. The US Marines are still to arrive.

The Federal Artillery was soon in action and had the privilege of firing the first shot of the battle, and accurate they were. The Confederate cavalry suffering early losses from the Yankee gunner's fire.

The Rebs deployed their artillery almost directly opposite the Union battery and concentrated primarily on counter-battery fire. The union gunners however were determined to reduce the threat from the enemies cavalry.

The bulk of the 'Tar Heels' Infantry started to move through the woods, apparently to either 'claim them' or maybe attack the union Right flank.  

The US Marines deployed in a line to cover Rawlin's Right flank. 

Meanwhile the Michigan horsemen dismounted after discovering some very heavy swampy ground . The 11th NYVI (Fire Zouaves) advanced to threaten the dismounted Rebel Cavalry but halted just short of the boggy ground. The Union gunners ploughed shot and shell into both the Rebel cavalry and the Reb infantry on the right of the Confederate Battery. They did a fair deal of damage to both units but the Gunners from Andrew's Maryland Battery finally got the Yankees range and two 6 Pounders were reduce to trash.

Undeterred by the swamp, the Michigan Cavalrymen, now with the 'Red Legs' up in support on their left advanced on the enemies Right flank.

Suddenly a scream emanated from the Tar Heels as the Rebel infantry cam screaming forward to engage both the 1st Michigan and the 14th Brooklyn. The Michigan Cavalrymen held firm by the men from Brooklyn were pushed back.

The Reb infantry recoiled, and between staggering volleys from the Michigan and Brooklyn troops continued to launch attacks with the bayonet.  

With the Confederate Cavalry and Infantry on the left now heavily engaged the gunners from the 5th US Artillery now fired on their tormentors in Andrew's Maryland Battery and repaid their accurate gunnery with the same and destroyed two of the rebel guns (1 Base). 

The Rebs attempted two more assaults with the bayonet, but one of the charges failed to get going.
                                     

 A final charge did go in, but it was repelled and the survivors were shot down to the man by merciless fire into their rear from the Michigan cavalry. At the same tome the last of the Rebel cavalry was shot down.

At this point the Confederate commander ordered a general withdrawal.
First blood to the Union forces.
Both sides finished the battle with three Epic Points. The Union gained one for the Victory. The Confederates gained on for the suicidal bravery of the Reb Infantry ant their repeated charges on superior numbers.
At the conclusion of the Battle my ORBAT now looks like this (Due to Battle Losses, camp sickness and fevers and Reinforcements.

Union Forces:

Rawlins's Brigade

Commanded By: Colonel Joseph Rawlin

11th New York Volunteers 'Fire Zouaves' 7 BASES Seasoned Recruits

14th Brooklyn 'Brooklyn Chasseurs' 6 BASES Seasoned Veterans

Washington Marine Battalion 8 BASES Eager Recruits

1st Michigan Volunteer Cavalry 5 BASES Eager Recuits

5th United States Artillery 2 BASES 1 Howitzer, 1 6 Pounder

REINFORCEMENTS:

Due to the debacle at Bull Run, Washington has decided to send Artillerymen from the 1st Main Heavy Artillery to serve as Infantry! 

1st Maine Heavy Artillery 10 BASES Eager Recruits

6th US Cavalry 6 BASES Eager Recruits

We have managed to gain some intelligence on the enemy (Broken Code card) so will have a slight advantage in scouting the next engagement and Washington has made Rawlin's Brigade a supply priority (4 Dummy Cards next battle).

I'll add further details on Stan's force once he has emailed it to me.

The next battle should take place very soon!

Feel free to leave a comment.