Hammerin' Sickles, Again!

Following my umpiring of a remote battle with the Rejects last Monday (see Hammerin' Sickles, Again), I had a chance to play a Face-to-Face (F2F) game over the same ground on Thursday.  Vol (A Miniatures Hobby Room) made the hour drive from up north for an afternoon's gaming session.  Vol also brought along a custom gatehouse he built for the Gallia castle he sold to me a few weeks ago and a Show & Tell of a pair of beautiful 1/700 sailing ships.  The gatehouse will make an appearance in another post.  Unfortunately, I did not take any photos of his meticulously built ships.  Next time!  Actually, I had to run upstairs at the last minute to grab the camera before the game began.

Today's action is a replay of Hood's Attack at Gettysburg.  The game is Vol's first Fields of Honor introduction.  After a brief overview of troop dispositions and rules, we began.  As a reminder of the battlefield layout, the battlefield stretches from Emmitsburg Road in the west to the Round Tops in the east bracketed by Millerstown Road in the north and Bushman's Farm in the south.

Battlefield geography and place names.

Initial army concentrations.

Army deployments.

Hood is on the attack with objectives of Little Round Top, Houck's Ridge, and reaching Millerstown Road in order to turn the Federal left.  

Let's see how the battle played out.

The Confederate attack opens with Robinson, at the head of the Texans, storming across the saddle between the two Round Tops.  The 83PA is in the Texans' path and they do not stand long.  The Pennsylvanians fall back to the open area on top of Little Round Top to join the 44NY.  Suffering from the initial blows, the disordered 83rd passes through the ranks of the 44th.  In the valley below, the 4TX drives the 4ME back from Plum Run.  Seemingly isolated, the US sharpshooters cling to Devil's Den.

With threat from the Texans in Plum Run, Ward sends two regiments down from Houck's Ridge in a counterattack along the marshy creek.  The resolve of the Texans is too great.  Ward's two regiments are driven back to the north along Plum Run.

Robinson's Texans drive the enemy back to Little Round Top.

Ward counterattacks the 4th Texas at Plum Run.

Ward's Federals are repulsed in the fighting along Plum Run.

Federal regiment removed from play.

With reports of Rebels approaching Houck's Ridge from the southwest, Smith's four guns on Houck's Ridge make preparations for the attack they expect.  To support Smith's guns, Ward sends one regiment into the woods to the southwest.  De Trobriand brings his brigade up onto line on Ward's right in the wheatfield as his exposed position on Stony Hill takes fire from Hood's artillery.

Hood's guns target Stony Hill.

Out of Rose's Woods erupt Benning and his brigade of Georgians.  As they scale the heights of Houck'e Ridge, the Georgians are hit by canister.  The canister blast does not slow the attack.  Unsupported, Smith's guns are overrun in minutes.  The southern most heights of Houck's Ridge are in Rebel hands.  Below, in Devil's Den, the sharpshooters hang on repelling attack after attack.

Smith's guns prepare canister.

Benning leads his Georgians up Houck's Ridge.

Smith's guns are overrun.
Benning presses on.

Situation about 5:30pm.

Back at the fight for Little Round Top, Robinson brushes aside Vincent's Federal infantry positioned on the barren cap.  Both the 44NY and 83PA are carried away in the attacks.  Robinson takes the heights!  Vincent's Brigade is broken.  Vincent moves to join the 20ME positioned on the lower eastern slopes of Little Round Top. 

Along Plum Run, the 16MI is attacked by regiments from both Robinson and Law.  The green 16MI is overwhelmed and scatters.  Only the 20ME remains of Vincent's Brigade on Little Round Top.

Robinson seizes Little Round Top!

With the heights in Rebels hands, the 16MI
is the next victim in the Rebel attack.

Another Federal regiment removed from play.

With Vincent broken,
Little Round Top is firmly in Rebel hands.

Back on Houck's Ridge, the battle rages.  Ward draws up two regiments to counterattack Benning along the ridge before the Rebs can establish a foothold.  Through the rough terrain, Ward's attack fails to dislodge the Rebels.  In a ferocious counterattack, Benning, at the head of two regiments strikes Ward a severe blow.  Having one regiment destroyed in the clash, Ward and his survivors fall back to the north.

Ignoring the casualties suffered in the attack, Benning grabs a nearby regiment and throws both in against Ward.  In heavy fighting in the woods on the ridge, Benning prevails.  Ward falls from his horse, mortally wounded.  The guns are overrun and his brigade broken.  

Ward attacks Benning on the ridge. 
Ward is repulsed.

Still another Federal regiment removed from play!

Benning presses on.

A Federal gun is lost.

And another Federal gone.
This is embarrassing.

Ward's Brigade breaks as Ward, himself, falls.

With news, that both Houck's Ridge and Little Round Top are in enemy hands, de Trobriand attempts to salvage an increasingly dire situation.  Seeing Anderson leading his brigade to the east to swing toward the Round Tops, de Trobriand strikes.  Driving in Robinson's Arkansans in Rose's Woods, the Federals see some success.  The Arkansans suffer heavy losses and are pushed back.  As de Trobriand reaches Rose's Run, Anderson realizes the danger to his flank march.  Forming his brigade up in line of battle, Anderson attacks.  De Trobriand's attempt to turn the enemy left stalls.

Jon searching for any opportunity on the Federal right.

De Trobriand attacks!

Anderson counters.

With Little Round Top and Houck's Ridge in Confederate hands, two brigades broken and two generals dead on the field, Birney orders a general retreat back to the north.  Not much left to save from this debacle.  For the Federals, this fight is over.

Victory to the Rebels!  Congratulations Vol!

Armed with a packet of brand new D10s, Vol and his Rebels tore my Federal defenses asunder from the get-go.  My Federals were on the backfoot almost immediately.  Little Round Top fell in the first hour of fighting with seeming ease.  Houck's Ridge fell in the second hour of battle.  The only rays of hope for the Federals were the sharpshooters' rugged defense of Devil's Den and de Trobriand's brief attack upon the Rebel left.  All else, ought to be forgotten.

Being new to the rules and, really, not having gamed in a long time, Vol picked up the rules and play of the game quickly.  He is a vigorous attacker and my hapless Federals had a very tough time passing morale tests throughout the game.

Great fun especially to see a long, dormant wargamer dive into the action with vigor.  We completed three turns in about three hours with heavy fighting throughout.  You should have heard the laughter as Vol snapped a photo every time I lifted a Federal regiment from the table.  Yeah, very funny!

Can I redeem Federal honor in a rematch?  We will see.

Thank you, Vol! 

Reporting from the Front: How Are Battle Reports Read?

Among the many cogitations I have on wargaming in general and blogging in particular, battle reporting comes up as a frequent subject in my ponderings.  I know, many more important topics to consider but I wander where my thoughts take me.

Having written many a battle report (the Labels section in the right sidebar shows nearly 300 Battle Reports to date) and read even more, I have plenty of data from which to work. 

Since blogging and the subset of battle reporting is an individually creative venture, I reckon there are as many forms and styles to writing battle reports as bloggers.  Given the frequency of my wargaming and the sheer number of battles chronicled, I have settled on a form and style that works for me.  I enjoy the process and the satisfaction that creating these little battle summaries offers.  As in most undertakings, there are costs and trade-offs.   Almost always, the chronicling of the battle report takes longer than actually playing the game.  Is this time well-spent?  Are battle reports interesting primarily to the players involved in the game?

The writing style that I most often fall into mirrors the writing of history as a prose narrative of events.  A broad-brush prose narrative, that is.  The focus emphasizes retelling a story, briefly, punctuated by supporting game photos.  Rules' mechanics are not often covered nor are specific details on dice rolled, probabilities needed, etc..  Again, this is personal choice since not all readers will be familiar with the rules in play.

So, what is the point?

Well, curiosity prompts me to ask how are battle reports read.  Now, I am interested in how a reader generally consumes and interacts with a battle report but I am specifically curious how my battle reports are read.  As a reader, is each battle report read completely, ignored, or does it fall somewhere in between?  Does this engagement depend upon the topic?  The big question is, are battle reports worth continuing?

To make submitting and collecting data easier, the following scale is provided from which to choose.  I appreciate any feedback received.  Please select the response that best matches your tendency in reading battle reports found on this blog.  Besides your selection, please add in any commentary and observations on the topic.

Here we go (and let's be honest)...

1. Each battle report is read completely.  I hang on every word and photo to get a grasp of the game and its result.
2. I read through the report but skim through the photos.
3. I look at the photos but skim the battle account.
4. I skim through both battle account and photos.
5. I scroll through the battle report and read the wrap-up.  If it sounds interesting, I return for another pass through the report.
6. I scroll through the battle report but stop to read the wrap-up.  
7. I scroll through the battle report and move on.
8. Battle reports?  There are battle reports?  
9. Other.

Whatever your choice, do you read readers' commentaries?

Thank you.

Hammerin' Sickles, Again

Quick upon the heels of the four-player remote game on Thursday (see Hammerin' Sickles), Monday saw a return to Hood's attack at Gettysburg.  This session, likewise, mustered four-players but a different group.  In Monday's battle, four of the Rejects took to the field of battle.

The players are:

USA

• Richard (My Wargaming Habit)
• Ray (Don't Throw a One!)

CSA

• Surjit -- no blog...
• Lee (Big Lee's Miniature Adventures)

Would the battle turn out in a narrow Federal victory as in Game One or would we see a new approach and outcome?  Let's see if we can answer this question.

On to battle!

Having launched a sweeping attack over Big Round Top to clear enemy skirmishers, Law leads off the attacks against the Federal positions in earnest.  Almost immediately, attacks drive off the US Sharpshooters in both Devil's Den and Big Round Top.  That was very quick work!  From Little Round Top, Vincent responds by sending a few volleys into Roberston's Texans and Law's Alabamans.

Finding Big Round Top devoid of Federals,
the Confederates press on.

Making short work of Federal skirmishers.

Rebels taking fire from Little Round Top.

Robertson, with his brigade split by Houck's Ridge sends a request to Hood to take command of 3AR and 1TX in Rose's Woods.  Hood moves the two regiments up and into the woods.  Ward counters by sending one regiment from Houck's Ridge down into the woods.  The bulk of de Trobriand's Brigade remains on watch positioned on Stony Hill and The Wheatfield.  Tensions rise as the two lines stare into the woods.  Will Hood launch an attack before Anderson and Benning are brought up in support?  Will de Trobriand attack first?

Battle lines extend from Houck's Ridge west to Stony Hill.

Anderson remains in reserve
back by Emmitsburg Road.

de Trobriand awaits on Stony Hill.

Hood does not get that chance!  De Trobriand attacks the Rebels in the woods.  De Trobriand leads two Union regiments into the woods against the 3AR.  The Arkansans are driven back with heavy loss.  Anderson brings his brigade up to support the Arkansans and attempts to take back the woods.

de Trobriand strikes!
Five hits given, one received.

Arkansans are driven back.

Anderson brings up support to the east of Rose Farm.

Early on, the battle lines begin to take shape.

Back to the congested fight along Plum Run, the Rebels have trouble bringing their might to bear.  Undaunted by his earlier loss in the woods at the hands of de Trobriand, Hood gathers 3AR and 1TX and attacks up Houck's Ridge.  Having sustained volley after volley from Plum Run and Devil's Den, the Federal defenders collapse as Hood reaches the heights.  Smith's four guns are overrun.  The Confederates have a toehold on Houck's Ridge!

Hood grabs a foothold on Houck's Ridge.

Returning to the escalating fight at Little Round Top, Vincent assembles the 44NY and 83PA for a counterattack along the saddle between the Round Tops.  With the 4ME pouring in fire from above, the Federals attack down the slope toward Plum Run.  Their target?  The 5TX.  Outnumbered by more than two to one, the crack Texans scatter in the attack.  The Federals, successful, now find themselves in a ravine along Plum Run.     

Vincent sends his troops racing down the hill! 

Vincent's attack drives off the Texans but at what cost?

Having driven off the enemy, the Federals discover they have attacked into the bottom of a fishbowl encircled by Rebels.  With the Alabamans on the heights above and coming up along Plum Run, the Federals find themselves in an uncomfortable position.  Taking fire from many sides, Vincent's two regiments waver.  Benning brings up two regiments to deliver the coup de grace.  Benning attacks!  The Union salient collapses as the survivors are driven back onto Little Round Top.  In the chaos, Robertson pushes his Texans past Little Round Top to strike deep up Plum Run.  Houck's Ridge is assailed from multiple threats while the Rebels ready an assault upon Little Round Top.

Like shooting fish in a barrel.

Rebels bring up overwhelming support
 as they prepare to attack.

Vincent is thrown back with heavy loss.

Robertson leads his Texans on a deep push up Plum Run.

Preparing for the assault upon Little Round Top.

Flushed with success from beating back Vincent's men, Benning continues.  Advancing up the barren heights, Benning strikes the 16MI standing atop Little Round Top.  The Michiganders are destroyed and Vincent, himself, falls.  Benning has Little Round Top.  No time for congratulations.  Weed's Brigade has arrived onto the battlefield along the Millerstown Road and scales the heights to thwart Benning's success.

With the 20ME providing flanking support, Weed leads two Union regiments into the fight.  In heavy fighting, Weed and his two Zouave regiments are sent tumbling back down the slopes.  For the Federals, Little Round Top is lost.

Benning takes Little Round Top!

Weed and his Zouaves attack!

Fighting over the high ground is fierce.

Little Round Top remains in Confederate hands.

Seeing the loss of Little Round Top, Birney realizes the Federal left has been turned.  Time to disengage from the enemy and fall back to Millerstown Road.  Disengaging in the face of an enemy is never easy.  This day is no different.  The Rebels keep the pressure on as the remnants of de Trobriand and Ward retire.  For the Federals holding this front, their battle is over.

Pressure on Houck's Ridge

 and the Wheatfield.

The fight for Houck's Ridge and Little Round Top ends with the Federal army in disarray.  While Houck's Ridge is still held, seeing it fall to the Rebels is only a matter of time.

Situation at end of fight. 

Congratulations to Surjit and Lee's Confederacy for their well-executed attacks upon the Federal positions.  Richard and Ray put up a good defense but, today, a good defense was not enough.  The Rebels put pressure on early and maintained that pressure throughout the battle.  There was a lot of action in only three turns of battle.  Battle decided in three turns?  Yep.  When the armies are positioned within striking distance to begin, heavy fighting erupts from the get-go.  I thought the tension high with tough decisions to make at almost every point.

After concluding the battle, the post-game discussion focused on how to tackle the puzzle differently.  The players will get to test those theories when we refight this action.

Thanks to all of the players.  Today's action was an enjoyable one, without doubt!

I can't wait for the rematch.